World Cup 2018: Best outdoor screens to watch England vs Croatia on Wednesday
It's the first time England has reached the semi-finals in the World Cup in 28 years
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Your support makes all the difference.After a historic penalty shootout victory on Tuesday and another win against Sweden on Saturday, England will play Croatia in the Fifa World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday at 19:00.
To say that the country is excited is an understatement, particularly considering that the England team hasn’t reached this stage of the competition since 1990.
So, if you didn’t get the invite to Bob’s boozy BBQ or Kelly’s kooky cocktail party, where can you watch the big game while simultaneously basking in the glorious evening sunshine?
You can obviously follow the match live with our in-depth blog that will be bring you the latest updates throughout the match, but it's the outdoors you're after, we've got you covered.
From the atmospheric beer gardens to the dazzling rooftop viewing spots, we’ve rounded up the best places to watch England play Croatia in the UK.
Skylight, London
Savour the game with panoramic views in the background at this rooftop viewing hotspot, where attendees can book tables in advance and pre-order drinks, so you can sit back and enjoy every moment of the game without having to order from the bar.
In addition to a wide-range of cocktails, wines and beers, food offerings include burgers and chips from popular London burger bar Flipside and Greek food from fusion stand Yiro.
Opening hours are 5pm - 11pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 12pm - 11pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
The nearest tube is Shadwell.
Impossible, Manchester
Dubbed the largest outdoor screen in Manchester, Impossible boasts a bustling courtyard complete with a beer terrace, picnic tables and deck chairs.
It’s first come, first served so be sure to turn up early if you plan on watching the game here.
Opening hours are 12pm till late.
Railway Tavern, Norfolk
This mid-Norfolk pub is taking the World Cup very seriously indeed, spending £5,000 on a grandstand allowing fans to watch every game in style.
Tickets are required to attend, and are on sale now, though there is no obliged cost, landlord Paul Sandford has asked that spectators donate £2 to a fund created to help a three-year-old local boy suffering from a rare form of cancer.
It’s a popular spot, with roughly 600 people gathering to watch England play Tunisia.
Opening hours are 11.30am - 11pm.
Flat Iron Square, London
One of the most popular places to watch the World Cup this year thanks to its large screens and even larger crowds, it’s no surprise that pre-sale tickets to Saturday’s game sold out very quickly.
However, should this happen again, there will be tickets available on the door, so it’s worth getting down early if you’re keen to enjoy the revelries here.
Entry is from midday and offerings from on-site traders include wholesome salads, award-winning ramen and succulent buttermilk fried chicken.
The nearest tube is Southwark.
Times Square, Newcastle
All 52 games will be broadcast live from large screens at this central spot, which can hold up to 2,500 people and has been dubbed the region’s “largest beer garden”.
Complete with an artificial astroturf, purpose-built seating and thousands of football fans, it’s set to be a great spot to see how England fare in Wednesday’s game.
Entry is free but tables can be reserved for a small fee, which will include pre-ordered food and drink.
Doors open at 11am and general admission tickets are standing only.
Motion, Bristol
It might be better known for its club nights, but Motion has committed to showing every England game in its expansive garden complete with big screens, a gourmet BBQ and ice cold beers.
Tickets cost £6 and include a complimentary drink.
Last entry is at 3pm.
Millennium Square, Leeds
For those seeking an authentic football fan experience in Leeds, look no further than this central grandstand.
Alcohol is off-limits due to a booze ban issued by Leeds City Council, but with one of the largest screens in the city, Millennium Square is set to boast one of the best atmospheres to watch England vs Croatia.
No tickets are required, but supporters are encouraged to arrive roughly two hours before kick-off to secure a spot, as it will be no-entry once capacity is reached.
There will be toilet facilities on-site and a limited area dedicated to picnic-style dining with a number of street food stalls also on offer.
The Enchanted Garden at The Last Days of Shoreditch, London
This venue has installed one of the biggest screens in the city to watch the World Cup games and offers an extensive programme of street food, cocktails and craft beer bars.
Entry is from 10am and the venue will close at midnight.
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