Loud and proud: England fans will be watching on as their team aims for a spot in the final
(Picture: Getty Images)Football was so very close to coming home last summer — and now we’re inching ever closer towards the dream being realised.
England’s Lionesses will take on Sweden in the semi final of UEFA Women's Euros, knowing they’re just two wins away from winning the trophy on home soil.
It’s been the biggest women's football event Europe has ever seen, with some cracking matches so far, and the tantalising prospect of more still to come.
If you haven't been able to nab a ticket to see England playing in the flesh, then London has no lack of excellent spots to see watch it all on the big screen.
From beer halls to Indian restaurants, here's our pick of where to cheer on the Lionesses. If you can book ahead, then we'd strongly recommend you do.
Trafalgar Square
For the final week of the tournament, Trafalgar Square has transformed into an official Fan Festival. Up to 7,000 people will be able to watch the final streamed on the big screen on July 31, and now that England are in the semis, that match will be shown live too. Elsewhere, there’s a pop-up football pitch, live panel discussions, film screenings and more.
Free entry, 11am-6pm, July 23-31, WC2N 5DN,london.gov.uk
Truman’s Social Club
Proudly declaring itself as the UK’s biggest beer hall, this Walthamstow spot seems like a natural choice for watching the football. It showed all of England’s group games, and will be screening the semi-final now that Sarina Wiegman and the gang have made it through.
1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL, trumanssocialclub.co.uk
Bar Kick
With 12 screens strategically placed across two floors, this Shoreditch spot is always a top shout for live sport. The food and drink is exactly the kind of thing you want when watching football — burgers, fried chicken, craft beer, cocktails — and the foosball tables will keep everyone entertained in the lull between matches.
127 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE, barkicklondon.com
Boxpark
Boxpark has become a go-to for football fans looking for screenings that err on the side of lively — you’ve probably seen videos of their pint-flinging antics — and each of its London locations have been showing matches featuring all 16 nations at this month’s tournament.
Wembley, Shoreditch and Croydon, boxpark.co.uk
Greenwood
If there’s live sport to be shown, you can safely assume Greenwood has it covered. An ever reliable spot for those who don’t want to venture too far out of central, this Victoria bar is screening all the Euros matches, with a crowd-pleasing menu of food and drink ready to be ordered and delivered to your table.
170 Victoria Street, SW1E 5LB, greenwoodlondon.com
Brigadiers
If you want something different from the beer-and-burgers norm, then head to Brigadiers for some Indian BBQ. Aside from its grilled goods, it’s always a fun place to catch live sport, whether that’s the cricket, boxing or, in this case, the football. Each of the England matches will be shown either from a private booth or out in the Blighters bar.
1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR,brigadierslondon.com
Valderrama’s
James Cochran, the kitchen maestro behind popular Islington restaurant 12:51, is launching a new sports bar on Upper Street. Providing a permanent home for Cochran’s fried chicken operation, Around The Cluck, it’s also taking bookings for those who want to catch the Euros action.
163 Upper Street, N1 1US, valderramas.co.uk
Baller FC at the Stag’s Head
Run by a collective of event producers, DJs, musicians, members of the queer community and, of course, football fans, Baller FC has created an inclusive environment to catch all the action. Showing each of the 31 matches in July, with a programme of club nights and workshops besides that, it’s an excellent alternative to the football-watching norm.
