The 2026 World Cup will feel different for fans in Germany – especially for those used to gathering at Berlin’s famous Brandenburg Gate or Munich's Olympiapark to watch the games.
With many matches kicking off at 10pm, midnight or even 3am in Germany, watching matches with others will require a bit more planning this year. The familiar large-scale “fan zone” experience may be less visible, but it has by no means disappeared.
For newcomers, a fan zone – often referred to in Germany as a 'fan mile' (Fanmeile) – is a large, open-air space where thousands gather to watch matches on giant screens in large cities.
Since the 2006 World Cup, Berlin’s stretch between the Victory Column and the Brandenburg Gate has become Europe’s most famous example, drawing huge crowds and creating a festival atmosphere during the big games.
No fan mile in Berlin this year
This year, no fan zone is planned along Berlin's StraĂźe des 17. Juni, breaking with the recent tradition.
The decision appears less about policy and more about practicality. With the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, many matches fall late at night in Germany.
Even so, the federal government has stepped in to help fans watch together. Temporary exemptions to noise protection rules – normally enforced from 10pm – mean public screenings can legally run late into the night, subject to local approval.
But organising massive, secure open-air venues for tens of thousands appears to be too much of financial risk when crowds may peak at midnight rather than in the early evening.
The cities of Munich, Frankfurt and Stuttgart have all opted not to activate major central spaces like the Olympiapark, the banks of the Main River, or the Schlossplatz.
Each city cited the immense security costs and organisational risks of managing tens of thousands of people during games that kick off so late at night.
Meanwhile, Hamburg’s traditional setup at the Heiligengeistfeld was officially scrapped due to a €400,000 funding deficit, lack of corporate sponsors and scheduling conflicts with the city's Sommerdom funfair.
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Where to watch instead
While many venues still haven’t released their plans for the World Cup, a pattern is already emerging. Public viewing in 2026 will be more local, diverse and possibly also easier to access.
The following venues have all announced plans to show at least a selection of matches.
Berlin may lack its headline fan mile, but it remains rich in alternatives. Venues like BRLO Brwhouse at Gleisdreieck and Beach Neukölln have already announced plans to host screenings, for example. Â
One standout option is the Centre at Potsdamer Platz, where a 100-square-metre LED wall will show selected matches free of charge under a covered outdoor space. Â
Elsewhere, Naumanns Biergarten is planning to show all matches with free entry, while venues such as Weltwirtschaft at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt will focus on evening fixtures.
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In Herten, North Rhine-Westphalia, the Arena auf Ewald – an open-air venue at a former coal mine – has already confirmed large-scale screenings, promising a more traditional shared experience.
Tickets for several Germany matches are also already on sale for the Huber Arena in Bad Säckingen (Baden-Württemberg).
In addition, venues like Miramar in Chemnitz (Saxony) and the Prüfeninger Schlossgarten in Regensburg (Bavaria) are promoting screenings tailored specifically to Germany’s group matches.
A more complete list of public viewing options around the country is available here. Â
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