Where to watch World Cup soccer at sports bars in the Des Moines metro

Who are you cheering on in the World Cup? Starting June 11 through July 19, 48 teams vie for the trophy, starting with group play, followed by the knockout rounds. Spain and France are heavily favored to win, followed by England, Brazil, Portugal and 2022 champs Argentina. The United States plays Paraguay in its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 12 in Group D play.

Des Moines has no shortage of sports bars and restaurants, with places where the TVs are huge and the pours are strong. These are the spots built for buckets, cocktails, shots and all‑day game‑day energy. Think big crowds, big screens and bartenders who know how to keep the drinks moving. Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team in World Cup soccer bouts or just want to take in the vibe of this international event that only comes around every four years, these are the metro’s most reliable sports bars.

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Angry Goldfish is a neighborhood bar with a scratch kitchen that punches far above its weight. Warm wood paneling and industrial modern lighting, including chandeliers overhead, wrap this room filled with quirky decor. The house-favorite AG burger is a hit with juicy and flavorful patties that are stacked just right, while the wings are among the best on the south side, crispy and tossed in sauces. Try the thin-cut, lightly breaded, fried pickles served with ranch. They’re one of the most popular vegetarian-friendly items on the menu, which is full of comfort-driven dishes that feel familiar but are thoughtfully executed. It’s cozy and unfussy, with a small patio that overlooks downtown Des Moines.

• Price: $10 to $20 per person
• Details: 2811 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines, 515-244-4642, angrygoldfishdsm.com.

Details: 2811 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines, 515-244-4642, angrygoldfishdsm.com.

El Bait Shop is the kind of place where the food feels like an extension of the atmosphere — big, loud, playful and proudly unpretentious. Retro-Americana decor from beer signs and stickers to bicycles hanging from the ceiling and a corner dedicated to wrestling stars, gives your eyes plenty of spots to investigate during commercial breaks. The wings are the anchor: crisp-skinned, deeply seasoned and available in enough sauces to match any of the 250-plus beers on tap. Loaded tots arrive in a glorious heap, the nachos are unapologetically oversized and the Mexican-leaning plates such as fish tacos feel tailor-made for long nights with friends. It’s the rare bar where the kitchen keeps pace with the energy of the room, turning out food that’s craveable, consistent and built for repeat visits. Sit out on the patio that has its own bar when the crowds swell.

• Price: $10 to $20 per person

• Details: 200 S.W. Second St., Des Moines, 515-284-1970, elbaitshop.com.

Details: 200 S.W. Second St., Des Moines, 515-284-1970, elbaitshop.com.

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Bix & Co. brings a modern, slightly upscale feel to West Des Moines, with polished bar food that doesn’t lose its sense of fun. The menu leans into shareable plates, such as crispy wings, loaded fries and elevated takes on classics including tavern pizzas and breaded pork tenderloins. This lively Valley Junction spot with a stylish interior is the kind of place that works equally well for a casual dinner or a night out with friends. Try the patio that anchors the entrance to Valley Junction.

• Price: $20 to $30 per person

• Details: 111 Fifth St., West Des Moines, 515-606‑1115, bixandco-wdm.com.

Details: 111 Fifth St., West Des Moines, 515-606‑1115, bixandco-wdm.com.

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The Chicken Coop with its three locations in the metro is a sports‑bar staple built for big appetites, big screens and big portions. Open since 2012, it’s the kind of place where the menu stretches from wings to steaks, burgers to ribs and pizzas loaded so heavily they become a meal for the whole table. The vibe is classic Midwest casual: TVs on every wall, families mixing with game‑day crowds and a menu that leans into comfort food without apology. Try the wings, a core menu item and a consistent hit available in multiple sauces; the Irish nachos that swap chips out for waffle fries; or the Big B chopped cheese burger with caramelized onions and cheese. The Urbandale location is the busiest.

• Price: $10 to $20 per person

• Details: 5906 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, 515-362-8168, westdesmoines.chickencoopurbandale.com; 12725 Meredith Drive, Urbandale, 515-334-2667, chickencoopurbandale.com; 1325 S.W. Oralabor Road, Ankeny, 515-289-1578, ankeny.chickencoopurbandale.com.

Details: 5906 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, 515-362-8168, westdesmoines.chickencoopurbandale.com; 12725 Meredith Drive, Urbandale, 515-334-2667, chickencoopurbandale.com; 1325 S.W. Oralabor Road, Ankeny, 515-289-1578, ankeny.chickencoopurbandale.com.

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If schnitzel, currywurst and giant pretzels paired with German beers are your vibe, Hessen Haus is your place. The restaurant channels a German bier hall, replete with communal tables, vaulted ceilings and dark walls packed with Bavarian signs and beer memorabilia. Try the Schweinhaxe, a roasted pork shank with a caramelized outer crust and tender meat inside; pretzel-crusted sauerkraut balls stuffed with corned beef, pork and ham; or spaetzle served with veggies or as mac and cheese. Pair any of them with one of the 175 German and European beers behind the bar. The party does spill out onto the patio. Prost!

• Price: $20 to $30 per person

• Details: 101 S.W. Fourth St., Des Moines, 515-288-2520, hessenhaus.com.

Details: 101 S.W. Fourth St., Des Moines, 515-288-2520, hessenhaus.com.

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This downtown favorite with a bar‑first identity offers strong cocktails, buckets, shots and a lively weekend crowd. Downtown Athletic Club feels like a timeless sports bar with oak and brass touches, custom wallpaper featuring sports moments, mustard seating and classic mirrors behind the bar. With TVs everywhere, loud energy and a social scene that leans more nightlife than restaurant, this bar is great for groups and late‑night sports. Try the Starter Jacket with amaretto, lemon, Campari and a pistachio milk wash or the 40 Love, with mezcal, blackberry, vanilla, lemon and raspberry Topo Chico.

• Price: $10 to $20 per person

• Details: 604 Locust St., Des Moines, dmathleticclub.com.

Details: 604 Locust St., Des Moines, dmathleticclub.com.

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Royal Mile brings British pub charm to downtown Des Moines, complete with dark wood, cozy corners with a fireplace and a menu that leans hearty. The atmosphere feels like part of the story with a British telephone box, a beefeater greeting customers, scarves hanging overhead for soccer teams and eclectic signs on the walls. The British fare (a full English breakfast, fish and chips, Guinness stew and chips and curry) is on point, while the Scotch eggs (a soft-boiled egg wrapped in seasoned sausage, breaded and fried, served with mustard) are must-orders for anyone who loves a classic pub snack. Paired with a pint, the food feels comforting and timeless. British beers and scotch are specialties here, so much so that Esquire called it “a holy house of alcohol” in 2007. A small, almost alley-like patio sits to the side of the bar.

• Price: $18 to $35 per person

• Details: 210 Fourth St., Des Moines, 515-282 2012, royalmilebar.com.

Details: 210 Fourth St., Des Moines, 515-282 2012, royalmilebar.com.

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The Station is a neighborhood bar that overdelivers in all the right ways, including an interior that is wood-forward, a little retro, a little industrial and built for wings, burgers and game-day energy. The wings arrive with a perfect crunch, the tenderloin is a full-on Iowa classic and the burger is far better than a casual sports bar setting would ever suggest. Portions are generous, the kitchen is fast and the menu hits that sweet spot between comfort and crowd pleaser. It’s the kind of bar that becomes a habit — easy, consistent, and always satisfying. Sit on the patio with umbrellas shading from the sun or slip back into Dugan’s Hideaway, the speakeasy behind the restaurant.

• Price: $10 to $20 per person

• Details: 3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, 515-777 3631, thestationdsm.com.

Details: 3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, 515-777 3631, thestationdsm.com.

Tito’s Lounge in Urbandale is a Mediterranean‑leaning sports bar with a warm, modern interior and a menu that blends Balkan specialties with American bar favorites. The space feels like a contemporary neighborhood lounge — polished but relaxed, with a layout built for both dining and watching sports. Try the Greek gyro; cevapi, a signature grilled Balkan specialty made with beef and veal sausage; or Tito’s signature flatbread. Sit on the patio in front of the restaurant when the weather is nice.

• Price: $10 to $20 per person

• Details: 3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, Urbandale, 515-214-1066, titosloungeia.com.

Details: 3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, Urbandale, 515-214-1066, titosloungeia.com.

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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Best Des Moines-area sports bars to watch 2026 World Cup soccer