Seoul is leaning hard into World Cup season this June, with everything from street cheering revivals to riverside pop-ups. Here's where to catch the matches.

🏟️ Gwanghwamun Square — the classic street-cheering spot

This is the spiritual home of Korean World Cup fandom, dating back to the legendary "Red Devil" gatherings of 2002. Thousands of fans gather here for Korea's matches, with a main stage, relay screens, and two giant media walls on the KT Gwanghwamun building broadcasting the games live. Free, open-air, and as loud as Seoul gets.

🌊 Hangang Play Place, Ttukseom Hangang Park — riverside viewing

A more relaxed alternative if you want river views instead of a crowd crush. The city is running a "World Cup Pop-Up" here through late June, screening Korea's group-stage matches on a large LED screen with reserved seating, camping chairs, and cheering items handed out to visitors. It also has photo zones and family-friendly activities, so it's a good pick if you're bringing kids.

🍺 Itaewon — for proper sports-bar energy

Itaewon is Seoul's go-to neighborhood for foreigner-friendly bars with multiple screens and full sound:

• Sam Ryan's – a longtime favorite for expats, known for opening early to show matches and a lively, packed-but-seated atmosphere.
• The Wolfhound – a solid Irish pub with screens, table reservations, and a good beer selection if you want food and drink alongside the game.

🍻 Hongdae — younger, livelier crowd

If you want a bar crawl vibe with your football, Hongdae has a few low-key sports pubs (like The Pub Sportpub Hongdae) tucked into its nightlife streets — smaller, more intimate, and easy to combine with a night out after the final whistle.

📺 Watching at home

JTBC and KBS hold the broadcasting rights in Korea and will air every match of the tournament live.

A few tips: Korea's group matches kicked off at 10–11 AM local time, so morning watch parties have been the norm. Seoul officials have also flagged summer heat and transit congestion around Gwanghwamun and Ttukseom on matchdays — go early, hydrate, and take the subway if you can.