London is coming back to life in summer 2021 with an amazing season of sport. England started their UEFA EURO 2020 campaign at the weekend, with pubs, bars and venues across London welcoming excited football fans.
Londoners and visitors who haven’t yet booked their seats for the remaining group games and beyond don’t need to worry: hundreds of venues across the city have added big screens, socially distanced tables and are offering table service to make sure everyone can enjoy the Euros safely.
UEFA EURO 2020 at Wembley will be the jewel in London’s summer of sport. But there is so much more to come this season, from the return of Wimbledon (28 June – 11 July) to Formula E cars speeding through the Docklands (24-25 July) and brand-new cricket competition The Hundred (21 July – 21 August), plus the Rugby League World Cup, NFL games and the London Marathon later this year.
“These next few months promise to be a great summer of sport, with lots of fantastic events taking place in London. If you haven’t got a ticket to one of England’s EURO 2020 games, there is a great selection of pubs, bars and venues showing the action in locations across London. We would advise everyone to book ahead to avoid disappointment,” said Georgina Warren, Director, Major Events & City Experience at London & Partners.
Here are Visit London’s top 10 ways to enjoy UEFA EURO 2020 and celebrate a summer of unforgettable sport in the city:
1. Hang out at Potters Fields Football Village
Potters Fields Park is hosting the Football Village, which is open to everyone for the duration of the tournament. It will feature cultural entertainment, sports and community activities, food and drink stalls and screens to watch selected matches and highlights.
When: 11 June to 11 July
Where: Tower Bridge
2. Cheer on your team at Trafalgar Square Fan Zone
The UEFA EURO 2020 Fan Zone in Trafalgar Square will be open for England matches, the semi-finals and the final. Tickets for the first matches are exclusively for key workers who did so much to support the community during the pandemic. Seats for later matches will be allocated by a public ballot, with details to be announced shortly.
When: Selected dates from 13 June to 11 July
Where: Trafalgar Square
3. Take in some art with the Inside Out exhibition
As part of the Let’s Do London campaign, five locations across the city will be pasted with more than 3,000 black and white portrait photographs in a cultural celebration of football and how it can bring people together. Renowned artist JR’s Inside Out project will cover pavements, roads and buildings across the city with his epic black and white portraits – including a gallery longer than two football pitches along the road at Tower Bridge.
When: From 13 June
Where: Tower Bridge, King’s Cross, Tottenham, Catford, Royal Docks and Wembley Park
4. Get swept up in the football frenzy at BOXPARK
BOXPARK, London’s home for football screenings, will be showing all UEFA EURO 2020 matches live from its three London venues in Croydon, Shoreditch and Wembley. Alongside having the magic of the competition on BOXPARK’s big screens throughout the venue, fans can tuck into street food and quench their thirst with plenty of beers and drinks from the bars.
When: From 11 June
Where: Croydon, Shoreditch and Wembley
5. Summer of Play free events for families in Wembley
The home of the Euros in London, Wembley Park is hosting a summer of free events including live music, public art trails, sporting events, outdoor cinema screenings and more in Wembley’s pocket parks and pedestrian spaces. The Summer of Play is the perfect place to soak up the EUROs atmosphere between matches, a stone’s throw away from England’s home of football.
When: 11 June to 5 September
Where: Wembley Park
6. Enjoy the football alongside stunning London views at Skylight London
Skylight rooftop is famous for its panoramic views across London’s skyline and they’re offering fans three exciting ways to watch the games this summer, including a giant rooftop alfresco screen and indoor cinema experience.
When: From 11 June
Where: Wapping
7. Soak up football’s history at Freemasons Arms
The song says “football’s coming home”, but did you know football’s home really is in London? The Freemasons Arms pub has a great place in sporting history. It was here that the Football Association met in 1863 to thrash out the laws of modern football – a game now played in more than 200 countries across the globe. The pub has a great display of Football Association memorabilia alongside six HD TV screens featuring all the top matches.
When: From 22 June
Where: Covent Garden
8. It’s game on this summer at The Refinery Bankside
With one of the largest outdoor screens in the capital, head down to The Refinery Bankside’s alfresco terrace to enjoy the sun and catch what are set to be some of the year’s most exciting football games. It’s kitted out with plenty of deck chairs, a large HD screen and a fully stocked bar so you won’t miss a single kick or penalty in this summer’s tournament.
When: From 11 June
Where: Southwark
9. Join the party at a Euros Warehouse
London’s biggest warehouse dedicated to football includes two giant screens, beer hall, street food, sun terrace and more. Costa del Tottenham is showing games on every match day and can seat 300 football aficionados at once, so the atmosphere is sure to be electric.
When: From 11 June
Where: Tottenham Hale
10. Settle in and hope for a win at Juju’s Bar & Stage
Juju’s Bar & Stage in Shoreditch is one of the top London venues for watching the Euros, with three huge projector screens, a beer garden and an expansive open-air terrace. Juju’s is where you’ll find the merriest (socially distanced) crowds enjoying craft beers, cocktails and scrumptious street food.
When: From 12 June
Where: Shoreditch
For more things to do in London for UEFA EURO 2020, visit UEFA EURO 2020 London guide – Sport – visitlondon.com