World Cup: Where to watch guide

Updated: June 9, 2006

As the countdown to the World Cup continues, landlords are getting ready to cash in on the feast of football.

The main concern football fans face over the next few days has nothing to do with the recovery powers of Wayne Rooney's fourth metatarsal bone in his right foot, but where they should catch the action when the big kick-off happens on Friday.

Should they stay at home and watch the action on TV with a cold beer in the comfort of their own living room? Or should they venture out with thousands of others to a pub or a club?

For fans who favour the latter option, the Evening News has compiled a guide to what some of the venues across the city will be doing:

Branford Arms, Branford Road, Norwich: Will be showing the game against Paraguay, and all England’s other matches, on three big 6ft by 6ft screens. The pub is planning to show the final group games, which will kick off at the same time, on different screens. Special promotional offers on Budweiser and Carlsberg during the whole competition.

Brannigans, Riverside: All England games on two big screens and eight 42in plasma screens.

Castlegates, Timberhill: Three 42in plasma screens and two normal TV screens. But fans who are willing to pay for the privilege can purchase a £30 VIP ticket for each England game which entitles them to a full Malaysian buffet meal with waiter service while watching the game on a 12ft by 12ft screen in the restaurant upstairs.

Delaney's, St Andrew's Street: Five plasma screens and a six foot projection screen will be showing every game in the tournament.

Garden House, Pembroke Road: Games will be shown on a plasma screen and television in the back bar and a big screen upstairs. No drinks promotion plans at the moment.

Henry's, Haymarket: Two plasma screens will show all the action; any drinks promotions for the tournament have yet to be decided.

Lillie Langtry, Unthank Road: Has a selection of TVs including three plasma screens. Also for the World Cup there will be a new TV outside on fully covered decking so regulars will be able to watch the games whatever the weather.

Mercy nightclub, Prince of Wales Road: Highlights beamed on to the giant screen in the club.

Odeon, Riverside: The Odeon cinema will screen every one of England's games in its new High Definition Television format.

The cinema plans to show all games in which England are involved, as well as the quarter and semi-final matches, third place play-offs and the final, meaning at least 11 matches will be screened throughout the tournament. Prices for Norwich are £6 adults and £4.20 concessions. But enjoying the England clashes on the big screen does come with a catch - no alcohol will be served. Tickets for the cinema can be purchased in advance at www.odeon.co.uk or 0871 22 44 007.

Quebec Tavern, Quebec Road: Will be showing all matches on 86ins screen and large plasma TV.

Rosary Tavern, Rosary Road: Regulars will be able to enjoy the matches on a large screen TV. The pub will also be holding a raffle for a signed and authenticated 1966 World Cup shirt is also taking place with 9 of the 11 original team of the time having signed.

Spread Eagle, Sussex Street: Showing every World Cup match on its two television screens. Special offer of £1.50 a pint during the games until the first goal goes in. Other promotions going on include free Budweiser merchandise for every fifth bottle of Bud bought. Apologies to the pub for an article which appeared in last Thursday's Evening News stating it would be a football-free zone for the World Cup. It most certainly won't be!

The Bell, Orford Hill: Two 42in plasma screens will be showing the games downstairs, although the volume will be kept down so as not to disturb other drinkers. There will also be beers on offer from 14 of the countries taking part in the tournament, including Poland and Mexico, plus Greene King match-day ales.

The City Gate, Dereham Road: Two plasma screens and another large screen. Special offers yet to be decided.

The Coach and Horses, Thorpe Road: Two big screens and a normal size television.

The Compleat Angler, Prince of Wales Road: Couple of plasma screens and a large projector screen. Also a raffle to win a replica 1966 England shirt signed by nine surviving members of the team.

Coles at the Edith Cavell in Tombland: Big plasma screen and a World Cup menu.

The Cottage, Silver Road: Will be showing all games on two TVs; one of which is a 42in screen. There will also be a special price on Carlsberg lager and Tetley bitter during the tournament.

The Forum: Two quarter finals will be shown on a big screen in the city outside the Forum. The BBC big screen will be outside the Forum on Friday, June 30. It will show two games, one at 4pm and one at 8pm.

The Murderers, Timberhill: On Thursday, from 7.45pm, the big screen will show England's historic 1966 4-2 World Cup Final victory over West Germany.
England's first game is on Saturday against Paraguay at 2pm and that game, as with every England game, will be shown on the big screen at the pub.

There will also be a chance for fans to win mini TVs and England shirts if they can guess the right score or last goalscorer in games shown at the pub.

The pub will be showing as many other games as possible throughout the month-long tournament.

The Lawyer, Wensum Street: Large plasma screen. Limited numbers but £5 tickets, which also include first drink.

The Otter, Thorpe Marriott: Big screen, plasma screen and TV inside. Outside a big projector under a gazebo. Staff will walk through the pub carrying baskets of beer, so fans can get drinks without missing any of the action. Also competitions to win free drinks and mini TVs.

Trafford Arms, Grove Road: The pub is decked out in England colours. Two large plasma screens and two normal size TV sets.

All England games shown at the pub will be accompanied by themed music and food.

The pub has also teamed up with Bennetts to give away free mini-TVs to fans who can guess the time of the first goal.

Mr Higgins said if England continued to progress they might have to make games ticket only because there were requirements on numbers as part of the new licensing laws.

Unthank Arms, Newmarket Street: Plasma screen downstairs and pre-match lunches and meals upstairs.

Football-free zones

Believe it or not, not everybody likes football!

Anybody who fancies a drink without being subjected to cries of “Come On England” and “Oh no, it's gone to penalties again” can still find some football free spots away from the World Cup madness.

Among pubs which won't be showing the football are:

• The Leopard, Bull Close Road
• The Adam and Eve, Bishopgate
  

Pub landlords can e-mail peter.walsh@archant.co.uk to let us know what's going on at your pub.