For years, watching the World Cup in Asia meant 3am alarms, bleary eyes and the quiet suffering of devoted fans from Wan Chai to Shekou. The 2026 edition – kicking off on 12 June and hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico – is no different, but the pain is more evenly spread. Games kick off from midnight through to 12 pm China Standard time; some will still hurt, but the ones between 9 am and 12 pm will be worth every minute.

There was, however, one more hurdle to clear, and this one cut close to home. Until 16 May, mainland China had no broadcaster. For weeks, an estimated 200 million football fans on the mainland faced the real prospect of a complete blackout: no CCTV 5, no streaming apps, nothing. When China Media Group finally agreed a deal with FIFA just 27 days before kick-off, the relief was instant – the news generated 27 million Weibo views within 45 minutes.

Which brings us to the GBA’s particular situation: a region that spans two systems and four broadcast territories, where fans in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Macao will all be watching the same tournament through entirely different arrangements. Macao viewers, as it happens, have the best deal of anyone in the region – all 104 games, free, on public television.

Here’s the full picture of where you can watch the 2026 World Cup in the Greater Bay Area.

Watching at home

Mainland China (Shenzhen and Guangzhou)

China Media Group (CMG) – parent company of CCTV – holds exclusive broadcast rights across all platforms on the mainland. CCTV 5 carries the tournament free-to-air, while 央视频 (the CCTV Video app) handles streaming and mobile, alongside CMG’s sports platform 咪咕视频 (Migu). Note that both apps require registration with a mainland phone number, which may be an obstacle for newer expats.

Hong Kong

The picture in Hong Kong is familiar. Now TV holds exclusive rights to all 104 matches, including 4K coverage, via an event pass priced at HK$380 – a substantial reduction from the original retail price of HK$980. No set-top box required: the Now TV app works across iOS, Android, Smart TV and web, with two concurrent streams per subscription.

For free-to-air, ViuTV will broadcast selected matches, including the opening game and the final. Check the ViuTV schedule for the complete list of free broadcasts.

Macao

Macao fans have arguably the best deal in the GBA. Public broadcaster TDM secured rights to all 104 matches, and every channel is free. Coverage is split across three channels: TDM Ou Mun (Cantonese commentary), Canal Macau (Portuguese and English) and TDM Sport (all three languages). All are available on digital and terrestrial television, and the TDM app carries live and on-demand streaming at no extra cost.

Getting out: sports bars

Hong Kong

Wan Chai Stadium 

The most dependable football pub on Lockhart Road. Confirmed open 24 hours for all 104 matches, with seven screens including two 100-inch projectors and a kitchen serving all-day breakfast and full à la carte throughout. Book ahead for knockout stage games

Address: Lockhart Road 72-76, Shop A3, G/F, Hay Wah Building, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Phone: +852 5195 7655/ +852 3579 4466
Social: Instagram/Facebook

The Globe 

Central’s original gastropub has been showing football longer than most bars in the city. Bookings are compulsory for the sofa area and main projectors; the crowd reliably mixes expats and locals who know the game. Morning games (6 am-10 am) carry a HK$150 entry fee that includes breakfast and a first drink – reduced to HK$120 if you turn up in your team’s shirt.

Address: Graham Street 45-53A, G/F, Garley Building, Central, Hong Kong
Phone: +852 2543 1941
Social: Instagram/Facebook

Shenzhen

Brass House 

Three-time winner of Sports Bar of the Year in the Greater Bay Area (2023, 2024 and 2025), Brass House was founded in 2018 by an international foursome from Brazil, the Netherlands, Serbia and Togo – and the cosmopolitan DNA shows. Six screens, English and Chinese commentary, a solid craft beer list, and a crowd that takes both the football and the atmosphere seriously. Confirmed to be showing selected matches.

Address: 1368 Cultural Street, Building 150, Huanggang Park 1st Street, Futian, Shenzhen
Phone: +86 186 6599 4624
Social: Instagram/Facebook

George & Dragon

The anchor of Shekou’s expat bar scene and one of the longest-running British pubs in the GBA. Wooden beams, horse brasses, a live rock band on weekends and a dependable sports setup that has shown every game live during previous tournaments. A completely different animal to Brass House – louder, more old-school, and exactly where you want to be for a big match in Shekou. Open until 2 am daily.

Address: 20 Taizi Road, Shop 29, International Bar Street, Sea World, Shekou, Shenzhen
Phone: +86 755 2668 2034
Social: Facebook/georgeanddragon (WeChat)

Guangzhou

Cages

One of the largest sports bars in Asia by any measure: nearly 5,000 square metres across two floors, 500 seats, 50-plus games and over 100 drinks on the menu. Opened in Guangzhou in 2024 as the GBA outpost of the long-established Shanghai original, which holds Sports Bar of the Year from That’s Food & Drink Awards, Cages sits inside the Zhujiang Beer Museum at Party Pier in Haizhu District, overlooking the Pearl River with Canton Tower in the background. Already confirmed its credentials as a big-match venue by hosting the Champions League final screening this season.

Address: No. 118 Modiesha Street, 3rd & 4th Floor, Zhujiang Beer Museum, Haizhu District, Guangzhou
Phone: +86 180 5425 0188
Social: Instagram/Facebook/cages_gzc (WeChat)

The GOAT 

Where the World Cup meets live bands, craft beer and North American food. Huge screens for match screenings, multiple beer taps and a menu of burgers, pizza and comfort food make this the most full-on fan zone experience in the city. Two Guangzhou locations to choose from: Canton Tower Plaza if you want the landmark setting, or Four Seas Walk in Panyu for a slightly more local crowd.

Address: Canton Tower Plaza, Haizhu District / Four Seas Walk, Panyu District, Guangzhou
Phone: +86 180 2232 6676 
Social: Instagram/Facebook/GoatGZ (WeChat)

Macao

The Roadhouse Macau 

Confirmed as Macao’s World Cup headquarters, The Roadhouse brings one of the GBA’s better outdoor viewing setups to Galaxy’s Broadway Food Street, with huge projectors and TVs covering both the indoor room and the alfresco terrace, zero cover charge, and a full food and drinks menu throughout.

Address: Broadway Food Street, E-G016-G019, Avenida Marginal Flor de Lotus, Taipa
Phone: +853 2875 2945 
Social: Instagram/Facebook

MOP Macau 

If The Roadhouse is where you watch the football, MOP Macau is where you make a night of it. 

Studio City’s 48,000 sq ft entertainment venue is hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup watch parties for the overnight games (midnight to 4 am), with a champagne and beer free flow package at 888 patacas per person for 2.5 hours, or 238 patacas for six beers if you’re keeping it simpler. 

Space-themed interior, DJ stage, and five VIP rooms for groups who want to go all in on the occasion.

Address: Studio City Macau (entrance at 1/F), Shop 3100, Level 3
Phone: +853 6333 7557 
Social: Instagram/Facebook