Where to watch the FIFA World Cup in Victoria

(Flickr)

With the Canadian men’s team in the World Cup mix for the first time since 1986, it’s a good time to get into soccer—if you weren’t already. But, the 10-hour time difference between Victoria and Qatar makes watching the FIFA World Cup a bit more challenging. Luckily, some of Victoria’s sports bars are planning on opening early, particularly for Canada’s World Cup games.

Here are the big Canada games:

• Wednesday, Nov. 23, Canada vs. Belgium at 11am PT.

• Sunday, Nov. 27, Canada vs. Croatia at 8am PT.

• Thursday, Dec. 1, Canada vs. Morocco at 7am PT.

Who’s open early?

Bard & Banker—1022 Government St.

This Market Square pub is sticking to its regular hours, and luckily, that’s 7-1am every day. Liquor service will start at 9am. Ask staff how you can be entered to win tickets to the 2026 World Cup in Vancouver with its World Cup Passport. Buy select beers and you could win a World Cup soccer jersey too.

Yates Street Taphouse—759 Yates St.

This downtown sports bar is playing every World Cup game. Doors will open at 7:30am everyday, and liquor service will start at 9am.

Sticky Wicket Pub—919 Douglas St.

This downtown pub will open an hour early—10:30am—for fans to catch any World Cup games they can. Liquor and food service will be available at 11:30am.

JR Slims—1245 Wharf St.

JR Slims on Wharf will open its doors early—at 11am—during the entire World Cup; and will open at 10am on Wednesday Nov. 23 and 8am on Sunday, Nov. 27 for the Canada games.

Watch with the Pacific FC

Who better to watch the World Cup with than professional soccer players? Langford’s Pacific FC will host three parties at three different downtown sites for Canada’s games. On Wednesday, Pacific FC will be at the Sticky Wicket Pub, and on Sunday, they’ll take over the Bard & Banker.

Who else is showing games?

Brown’s Social Hall—184 Wilson St.

This Wednesday, Brown’s will open up early at 11am to play the Canada game, and will be playing every other Canada World Cup game with the sound on.

The Loft Pub—229 Gorge Rd.

The Loft is keeping it simple, and sticking to its regular hours: Sunday-Monday, 11am-9pm; Tuesday, 11am-10pm; and Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-11pm.

Leopold’s Tavern—570 Yates St.

Leopold’s Tavern is playing World Cup games between 11am-midnight, other than Friday and Saturdays—where it’s open until 1am.

The Beagle Pub—301 Cook St.

This Cook Street staple is playing all the games it can from 11am-11pm Sundays-Thursdays, and 11-midnight, Fridays and Saturdays.

Canadian Brewhouse—3500 Uptown Blvd.

Head to Uptown Mall for a totally immersive sports bar experience. The Canadian Brewhouse is open from Monday-Wednesday, 11:30-midnight; Thursday, 11:30-1am; Friday, 11:30-2am; Saturday, 11-2am; and Sunday, 10-2am.

What are your predictions for Team Canada?