Brazil’s World Cup Starts Saturday: Where to Watch in São Paulo and Rio
Brazil · What’s On
Key Facts
- The match. Brazil opens its World Cup on Saturday, June 13, against Morocco, kicking off at 7pm São Paulo time — the tournament itself is hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
- Free in São Paulo. The Museu do Futebol, inside the old Pacaembu stadium, shows Brazil’s games on big screens at no charge.
- The big party in SP. The Arena Brasileira in Ibirapuera Park pairs the match with live music — Péricles and Ivete Sangalo on the 13th.
- In Rio. The free Arena Copacabana fan zone, with a giant screen on the beach, is the headline spot, and bars in Lapa and Botafogo fill up too.
- Arrive early. Free spots get packed and ticketed “open-bar” parties sell out, so turn up well before kickoff.
Brazil’s World Cup begins on Saturday, and in a football-mad country that means the whole city stops to look at a screen. If you are new in town and wondering where to watch the World Cup with locals — for free or in style — here is a foreigner’s guide to the best spots in São Paulo and Rio for Brazil’s opening match against Morocco.
First, the match
Brazil play their first game on Saturday, June 13, against Morocco, with kickoff at 7pm Brazil time (that is 6pm in New York and midnight in central Europe). The 2026 World Cup is being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, so Brazilians are not in the stadiums — they gather in front of giant screens at home instead.
Those public screenings are called “fan fests,” essentially big outdoor watch parties with a telão, or giant screen, plus music and food. Brazil sits in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland, and after Saturday the team plays Haiti on June 19 and Scotland on June 24.
Where to watch the World Cup in São Paulo
For a free and easy first time, head to the Museu do Futebol, the football museum built into the historic Pacaembu stadium, which shows Brazil’s matches on big screens at no cost, with a stadium-style atmosphere and exhibits to explore. For a bigger party, the Arena Brasileira in Ibirapuera Park sets up giant screens alongside concerts, with Péricles and Ivete Sangalo playing on the 13th.
Parque Villa-Lobos is the place to mix with visiting fans, where the Arena das Nações and the Casa CazéTV fan villages both open for the tournament and screen every game. If you would rather have a ticketed night out, the Festival Futebol & Samba at Pacaembu pairs the match with live samba (tickets via the Sympla app), while Festa Ginga at Clube Pinheiros and the Galleria Bar in Itaim Bibi run “open-bar” parties — a single ticket price that includes unlimited drinks.
And in classic nightlife districts like Vila Madalena, ordinary bars simply turn up the sound and fill the street.
Where to watch the World Cup in Rio
Rio’s headline option is Arena Copacabana, a free fan zone with a giant screen planted right on the sand of Copacabana beach — the most Rio way imaginable to watch a game. Get there early on Saturday, because it fills fast and the best spots near the screen go quickly.
Away from the beach, the bar-lined streets of Lapa, Botafogo and Leblon all show the match with sound, often over a plate of feijoada, the hearty bean-and-pork stew Brazilians love on a weekend. For a fuller rundown of the city’s fan zones, see our dedicated Rio guide linked below.
Tips for a first-timer
Wear yellow if you can, because the Seleção — the nickname for the national team — turns the whole country canary-coloured on match day. Arrive early, since free spots pack out and ticketed parties sell out, and expect the streets to empty during the game and erupt at every goal.
Costs are modest at the casual end — a beer in a bar runs about 10 to 15 reais, or US$2 to US$3 — while the premium open-bar parties start around 100 reais (about US$20) and climb from there. Keep your phone tucked away in big crowds, and if Brazil win, brace for a long, happy night of car horns and fireworks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Brazil’s first World Cup match?
Saturday, June 13, against Morocco, kicking off at 7pm in Brazil. The tournament is hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico, so fans watch on screens at home.
Where can I watch it for free in São Paulo?
The Museu do Futebol at the Pacaembu stadium shows Brazil’s games free on big screens, and several park fan zones have free or low-cost areas. The Arena Brasileira at Ibirapuera adds live concerts.
What is the best free spot in Rio?
Arena Copacabana, a free fan zone with a giant screen on Copacabana beach. Many bars in Lapa, Botafogo and Leblon also show the game.
Do I need a ticket?
Not for the free fan zones or most bars. The premium “open-bar” parties, where one price covers unlimited drinks, need paid tickets that sell out, so buy ahead.
What time is kickoff if I am watching from abroad?
Kickoff is 7pm in Brazil, which is 6pm in New York and midnight in central Europe. Check the offset for your own time zone.
In depth
Read More from The Rio Times