How Milan is Embracing an Italy-free World Cup With Pop-ups and Pints

From the glorious opening of Italia ’90 to scenes of streets full of fans celebrating Italy’s triumph at the 2006 World Cup, Milan is normally one of the country’s best destinations to watch the biggest tournament in the world.

From football-themed bars to dedicated events, this football-mad city comes into its own during the World Cup. And that applies this year too, even though Italy are not taking part in FIFA’s jamboree for the third consecutive time.

The party this summer got started in Via Salaino – between the fashionable Tortona and Navigli districts of the city – where Circolo Mondiale delivered the World Cup bug to the city.

Sponsored by OutPump, the event ran until June 22 and features DJ sets along with World Cup watch parties, table football tournaments, shirt swap stations and talk-ins involving former Italy stars.

It wasn’t the only pop-up, with Adidas taking over a multi-storey car park on Via Tarenzio and turning it into a World Cup-infused celebration labelled ‘The Yard’.

The two day event – which included 3v3 cage tournaments, artistic shirt customisation pop-ups and matches on big screens to celebrate the opening weekend – proved so popular that a third was added to take in Germany vs Curacao on June 19.

If you prefer sitting inside to escape Milan’s summer heat, the Football Pub and Offside should be right at the top of your list of destinations.

Situated at the crossroads of Via Valpetrosa and Via Torino in the very heart of the city, this spot is a mere four-minute stroll from Piazza Duomo.

Having first opened its doors back in 2000, The Football Pub has long been cemented as Milan’s definitive institution for live broadcasts—showing not just football, but everything from rugby to golf and beyond.

Inside, it feels like a typical British pub, complete with dark wood panelling, exposed beer kegs, and a bank of television screens broadcasting the day’s action.

Yet, what truly separates this venue from Milan’s typical watering holes is the decor. The walls are practically overflowing with football history, adorned with iconic shirts, vintage photographs, club scarves, and even the odd match ball. A picture of a young Ryan Giggs playing for Manchester United here, a photo of Inter Milan legend Mario Corso there.

The collection of shirt is similarly varied, with Inter and Milan jerseys framed alongside Liverpool, Arsenal and Hearts kits.

For any self-respecting calcio anorak, it is an absolute sanctuary.

Best of all, the pub is showing every World Cup game live, including those that kick-off after midnight, for which reserving a table is mandatory. You can do so by scanning the QR code on their Instagram profile.

Located about block north of the Gerusalemme metro station on Via Losanna in the Bullona neighbourhood, the Offside Sports Pub has been a staple of watching sport on TV in Milan since it opened in 2013.

With a dozen of screens you’re never too far from the action, but if you’re heading down to watch the World Cup you are better off booking a table in advance as the pub gets very busy.

Once you’re there, grab a drink – customers must spend a minimum of €15 each during live events – and enjoy the atmosphere for this is arguably as close as being on the terraces as you can get in a pub.

Fancy something slightly different than a pub? Arena Piola in the Citta’ Studi neighbourhood is famous across Milan for its craft beers and has four huge screens to follow the action on. Want to feel like you’re watching the game in the stadium? Make sure you try the stadium seats bolted across the benches at the back of the pub.

Like the Offside Sports Pub, Arena Piola shows every World Cup game live but booking is strongly recommended.