From rooftop screenings in Stockholm to giant fan zones in Gothenburg and Midnight Sun match nights in northern Sweden, visitors can experience the tournament in one of Europe's most distinctive summer destinations.

For American travelers spending the summer in Sweden during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the tournament comes with an unexpected twist: many of the biggest matches kick off long after midnight local time. Instead of empty streets, visitors will find late-night crowds gathering in sports bars, public squares, rooftop venues and restaurants across the country — particularly in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.

As Sweden returns to the FIFA World Cup, interest in the tournament is expected to be especially high. Combined with matches hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the result is a summer of late-night screenings, packed sports bars and public viewing events stretching into the early hours.

While the World Cup unfolds across North America, Sweden offers visitors a distinctly Nordic way to experience the tournament. Long summer days, White Nights and outdoor viewing events are turning cities across the country into late-night gathering places for football fans.

The tournament also arrives during one of Sweden's most celebrated seasons. Midsummer, one of the country's most cherished traditions, marks the longest day of the year and falls just as the tournament gets underway. During June and July, much of Sweden is bathed in the glow of the White Nights, when daylight lingers late into the evening and darkness barely falls. Further north, visitors can experience the Midnight Sun, a natural phenomenon where the sun never sets at all. In places such as Kiruna and Abisko, it is possible to watch a World Cup match at 2 a.m. under broad daylight.

Where to Watch: City Highlights

Sweden's major cities are preparing extensive programs for visiting fans.

Stockholm

Sweden's capital is preparing for a packed World Cup schedule, with public screenings, rooftop venues and sports bars welcoming both locals and visitors. From large-screen events in Kungsträdården and Mosebacke Terrace to rooftop venue Stockholm Under Stjärnorna (Stockholm Under the Stars) and established sports bars such as O'Learys Tolv and Pitcher's Norrmalm, visitors will find viewing options across the city throughout the tournament.

Gothenburg

On Sweden's west coast, Gothenburg is embracing the World Cup with citywide celebrations and public screenings. Newly announced plans will see Sweden's matches shown free of charge on giant screens in central Gothenburg, creating a festival atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. From the fan atmosphere at Ullevi Plaza to waterfront venues and popular gathering spots such as Glenn Sportsbar and Brewers Beer Bar, visitors will find viewing options across the city throughout the tournament.

Malmö

In southern Sweden, Malmö and neighboring Lund are preparing for overnight football crowds as venues seek permits and make plans to broadcast late-night World Cup matches. The cities' compact layouts, international atmosphere and vibrant restaurant scenes make it easy for visitors to move between viewing locations throughout the night, creating a lively World Cup atmosphere that extends well beyond the final whistle.

Beyond the Major Cities

Northern Sweden – Where the Sun Never Sets

For visitors looking for a uniquely Scandinavian World Cup experience, northern Sweden offers something few places in the world can match. During the tournament period, the White Nights keep much of northern Sweden bright well into the early hours, while destinations in Arctic Sweden experience the Midnight Sun, when the sun never sets at all.

In Umeå, a dedicated World Cup fan festival is expected to screen tournament matches in the city center. Further north, sports bars and gathering spots in Luleå and Kiruna are likely to become hubs for fans following the tournament. If Sweden advances deep into the competition, additional public screenings are expected to be announced across the region.

Beyond the football, northern Sweden offers visitors the rare opportunity to combine the world's biggest sporting event with one of nature's most extraordinary spectacles. Watching a World Cup match late at night beneath the Midnight Sun is an experience few destinations can offer, making northern Sweden one of the tournament's most unexpected viewing locations.

The World Cup atmosphere extends far beyond Sweden's largest cities. Across the country, smaller towns and local communities are organizing screenings in pubs, outdoor venues and fan zones, creating opportunities for visitors to experience the tournament alongside Swedish supporters.

For American visitors, Sweden offers a distinctly different side of the World Cup experience. Whether watching Team USA from a rooftop bar in Stockholm, a public fan zone in Gothenburg or beneath the Midnight Sun in northern Sweden, travelers can experience the world's biggest sporting event in one of Europe's most distinctive summer destinations.

World Cup Viewing Guides and Resources

• Visit Stockholm World Cup Guide
• Gothenburg World Cup Event Guide
• Press images for Public World Cup Screenings in Gothenburg (In Swedish)
• Malmö World Cup Guide (In Swedish)
• National Viewing Guide (In Swedish)
• Midsummer in Sweden
• The Midnight Sun
• Visit Umeå
• Cover Photo Ullevi Plaza in Gothenburg: Joachim Nywall (Download)

For More Information

Josefin Haraldsson
PR Manager, Visit Sweden USA
Email: pressusa@visitsweden.com