Best Places In Memphis To Watch 2024’s Summer Of Soccer

In 2016, there was a tremendous Summer of Soccer for fans in the United States. The Copa America Centenario was played in the US and at the same time Euro 2016 from France was on American’s TVs during the day. And then shortly after the conclusion of both of those events the Olympics kicked off in Rio de Janeiro. It meant a solid two months of soccer from sunup to sundown. In 2024, we get another such Summer of Soccer.

During the day Americans will be able to watch Euro 2024 from Germany on TV. Then, Americans will be able to both watch and perhaps attend the Copa America that is once again being hosted by the US in cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Orlando, Kansas City, Charlotte, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco and of course Miami, Los Angeles and New York. In fact, between May 26th and July 14th there will be 44 international games played here in the US, both friendlies and the Copa America. Those 44 games will take place in 19 different cities across 15 different states.

And as was the case in 2016, the Olympics will begin just ten days following the conclusion of both the Euros and the Copa America. The difference between 2016 and now is that not only did the USWNT qualify for this summer’s Games in Paris but the US U23 MNT qualified as well, the first time since the 2008 Games in Beijing that both US teams qualified.

For Memphians, 2024’s Summer of Soccer figures to be an even bigger deal than it was in 2016. Back then, there wasn’t a USL Championship team playing in Memphis. Now, however, there is with Memphis 901 FC having debuted in 2019. The Beale Street Boys have made three straight playoff appearances and are currently one of the hottest teams in the league, going unbeaten in four straight league games with three wins and a draw. No doubt 901 FC will be hoping to benefit from the Summer of Soccer as between now and Labor Day Weekend they have eight home games down at AutoZone Park (the first of which is this Saturday against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 7:30pm).

One of the unique things about major international soccer tournaments is just how fun it can be to watch games with large groups of people, especially if they’re all supporting one of the teams involved in the game. So where around town can Memphians go to watch this year’s Summer of Soccer? Below is a non-exhaustive list of just a few places that folks should be able to go to and enjoy watching a glorious Summer of Soccer.

The Brass Door (Downtown)

152 Madison Ave

The Brass Door is unquestionably the premier soccer bar in Memphis. It is the home of Memphis 901 FC’s supporter’s group, the Bluff City Mafia, who congregate there before and after every Memphis 901 FC home game. Premier League fans are always able to catch their favorite team on Saturday mornings there as well. And perhaps most importantly for this summer, it is the primary home of the American Outlaws, the chief supporters group for the US national teams. The crowds for World Cup watch parties in years past have been so big that people have filled up all three levels of the bar and the alley outside. Even during the Women’s World Cup last year, held half a world away in Australia and New Zealand, the place had good crowds in the wee hours of the morning. They have a very good TV setup and sound will almost definitely be on for most games.

Celtic Crossing (Midtown)

903 Cooper St

Celtic Crossing has long been a solid soccer bar for Memphians.  Being in Midtown it’s pretty easy to get to from almost anywhere in the Memphis area.  In the past, it has occasionally been used as a backup bar for the American Outlaws.  It also has hearty Irish fare. And during the 2022 World Cup, Memphis 901 FC partnered with them as a place to watch US games and mingle with then newly hired head coach Stephen Glass.

Max’s Sports Bar (Downtown)

115 GE Patterson

Max’s has perhaps the best TV setup of any bar in Memphis.  They’re quite literally everywhere and getting sound on for the games should not pose a problem.  Max’s serves mainly the residents of the South Main neighborhood as a place to get together and hang out.  Don’t miss out on the BBQ nachos.   

Bog & Barley (East Memphis)

6150 Poplar Ave, Suite 124

One of the newest establishments on this list. Open just over a year, Bog & Barley is a lovely Irish pub in East Memphis. This place is probably best for those who work in any of the number of office buildings in the area (perhaps to take an extended lunch break for any of the late morning or early afternoon games). And for those wondering how much they could love soccer there, look no further for a ringing endorsement than Memphis 901 FC head coach Stephen Glass, who recorded a video there for the 901 FC YouTube channel during the off-season.

Dan McGuinness (Southaven)

3964 Goodman Rd E

This one is for the north Mississippi folks. The food is good (Monday’s are $5.95 burgers and fries), the choice of beverages is vast, the service is good, there’s Buzztime Trivia available and the TV setup is solid (twelve TV’s to be exact).  Getting the sound for the games might be a tad tricky though.

George Paul’s Last Call at Blues City Cafe (Downtown)

138 Beale St

The establishment is called Blues City Café but George Paul’s Last Call is the back bar and it’s the place to be during a big sporting event.  To get back there, go in through the door off 2^nd St under the pavilion (almost like Henry Hill walking into the Copacabana in Goodfellas) instead of the front door.  The TV setup is fantastic, the food is out of this world and the people that work there are awesome. It’s also another place that should have the sound on for the games. 

The Skybox (Collierville)

2140 W Poplar Ave, Suite 101

Perhaps more well-known for having a packed house on college football Saturday’s, the Skybox is still a great place to watch a game during this upcoming Summer of Soccer. They have plenty of TVs (17 of them according to their website) and a menu loaded with great options (butter cookie in a skillet with ice cream). As a sports bar they’re no stranger to having the sound on for large numbers of people watching the big sporting events, and the Summer of Soccer is certainly that: a big sporting event.

This is but a small list of the number of places that figure to be showing soccer this summer. Memphians of course should be able to catch the games just about anywhere. Many in Memphis are surely hoping that the two months of attention on the Summer of Soccer will lead to bigger crowds at AutoZone Park for Memphis 901 FC games. It’s not quite a World Cup bump, but it’s the next best thing. And as the team struggles to boost their attendance from last season, any and all attention on soccer and Memphis 901 FC would be welcomed with open arms.