9 Big Outdoor Screens Showing The *Delete As Appropriate* Football/Tennis/RomComs This Summer
We all want to be in the stadium, that’s a given. Not just so we can say we were ‘there’, and certainly not for the view, generally you’re so far from the action you end up watching the same TV footage they’re watching back home on the big screens, no, it’s all about the atmosphere.
Sharing a national event surrounded by an equally passionate crowd is intoxicating. The communal intakes of breath, the celebration or the commiseration, it’s part of the experience. And while we probably can’t score you tickets to the finals, we can suggest some of London’s big screens where you can watch the action together with other fans.
And most of them will probably be showing Bridget Jones or whatever for the rest of summer…
NEW: Londoners have a golden opportunity to watch the #EURO2020 final in the Trafalgar Square Fanzone if they get or book their first jab this week.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) July 6, 2021
And with England just one game away, I’m also inviting two lucky Londoners to watch the game at Wembley. https://t.co/GfWd5IiAUT
Trafalgar Square
Sadiq Khan has taken a well earned break from unnecessarily bringing London’s traffic to a toxin emitting standstill and splurging borrowed money on whacky road ‘enhancements’ to focus briefly on the football.
The Mayor’s office have designated Trafalgar Square a ‘Fan Zone’, which is ticketed and open for all the England matches as well as the semis and finals. Replete with big screen and refreshments.
You can currently win tickets put aside by Mr Khan to reward the vaccine shy…
The tickets are balloted, so may not be available at this point, but if not then you can currently win tickets put aside by Mr Khan to reward the vaccine shy by offering places to anyone who hasn’t gotten around to getting their first jabs this week. Of course their jabs effectiveness won’t have kicked in by the time they’re plunged into a crowd but, er…
Where: Trafalgar Square, the place.
Website:www.london.gov.uk
Cardinal Place, Victoria
Don’t make the cardinal error of not calling in at this rooftop screening.
It’s a popular annual pilgrimage to head to the grassy deckchair scattered destination that is Cardinal Place, a shopping centre just off Victoria Street, during Wimbledon fortnight.
And with good reason, there’s a huge screen, cushions and chairs and food and drink options. Get there early, though, as it fills up in the sun!
WHERE: VICTORIA STREET, VICTORIA, SW1E 5JD
WEBSITE:WWW.CREATEVICTORIA.COM
Hackney Bridge
It’s the latest canal-side haunt in London and yet another street food destination to add to your growing list. What’s more it’s showing the tennis!
Hackney Bridge, in Hackney (you don’t say!) is showing the tennis and football on their big screen, so pull up a bench and order some Filipino BBQ, some crumpets or Napolitan pizza.
WHERE: UNITS 1-28, ECHO BUILDING, HACKNEY, E15 2SJ
WEBSITE:WWW.HACKNEYBRIDGE.ORG
St Katherine’s Docks
St Katharine Docks, just beyond the Tower of London, not only has a big screen showing the matches, but it’s also floating.
The pontoon-based screen is also under tent cover, just in case the weather decides it’s not going to play ball. It’s also free to enjoy, just head on down.
The only slight snag: for some reason they’re not showing screenings on Euros and Wimbledon finals weekend.
Where: 50 St Katharine’s Way, Wapping, E1W 1LA
Website:www.skdocks.co.uk
Pergola Solar
From being the place that makes the telly, Television Centre is now the place to go to watch it! That’s thanks to pop-up bar and BBQists Solar Pergola.
Fresh from the team that brought us Belgravia’s Pantechnicon and they’ve created this new al-fresco terrace at Television Centre just in time for the sporting action this summer.
The set-up is also perfect for takeaways from nearby Kricket, Flying Horse Coffee, Patty & Bun and Bluebird White City.
Where: Television Centre Forecourt, 1 Wood Lane, White City, W12 7FA
Website:www.televisioncentre.com
Skylight Rooftop
With its panoramic views of London’s skyline, Skylight Rooftop is a treat to visit even when they’re not screening England games on massive screens.
The venue has partnered with beer makers Budweiser and Bud Light, who are apparently the Official Beers of the England Men’s Team (presumably this is a key part of their training regime). And as such, Skylight Rooftop is aiming to be known as England’s Spiritual Home for football (tough competition, Wembley).
The large LED screens will once again bring the games live to the rooftop, all that remains is to enjoy the Budweiser makeover.
WHERE: TOBACCO DOCK, WAPPING, E1W 2SF
WEBSITE:WWW.TOBACCODOCKLONDON.COM
Boxpark
Beerhall style seating, plenty of food and drink and a massive screen make Boxpark ideal for some sports season action.
The 2018 World Cup was a knockout for Boxpark, which became one of the places to watch the events. And now they’re at it again.
The street food and atmosphere, not to mention they’re at Croydon and Shoreditch but also at Wembley itself (though screenings here will be limited when there’s matches happening next door).
Where: 2—10 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6GY
Website:www.boxpark.co.uk
Flat Iron Square
There’s guaranteed to be a great atmosphere at Flat Iron Square this summer. A huge screen and a great food will combine to recreate the electric feel of the World Cup as sports dominate this summer.
Buy tickets and enjoy the big screen action accompanied with food from local streetfooders including Baz & Fred, Breddos, Edu, Ekachai and Katsutopia. There’s also hand-rolled pasta from La Nonna, Japanese gyoza from Rainbo and fried chicken from Mother Clucker.
Find it: Union Street, Borough, SE1 1TD
Click it:www.flatironsquare.co.uk