São Paulo is the financial and cultural heart of Brazil. The largest city in the country (and by some accounts, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere), Sao Paulo adds museums, restaurants, and a cultural melting pot of immigrants from around the world to the prevalence of surf and sand common to Brazil's coastal cities. In 2014's World Cup its 11 million people will also play host to important matches like the opening game, Brazil vs Croatia on June 12th.
Arena de São Paulo, formerly known as the Arena Corinthians, will kick off the World Cup with opening ceremonies and follow with the opening match. But if your in town and can't make it to the stadium for some reason, not to worry. The whole city will be watching and here's where you can go to see the game as well.
A Fan Fest in Capetown for the previous World Cup — Photo courtesy of Warren Rohner
FIFA Fan Fest
Started during the German-hosted 2006 World Cup, Fan Fests are meant to be public, family-friendly venues with entertainment before and after matches. Large screen TVs and security are provided so as many people as possible can publicly view games. The area will be located in Valle do Anhagabaú, a promenade with fountains, gardens and artwork amidst the skyscrapers of downtown São Paulo.
Hooters
While not exactly the most cultural of experiences, Hooters might actually be one of the best places to watch the World Cup simply in terms of size and available screens. Hooters has multiple locations in the city, but its Vila Olímpia location boasts over 20 screens, open spaces for standing (in case tables are taken), and, of course, all-American food with a bit of a Brazilian flair. You'll find burgers, steaks and wings, though the Devassa draft beer and selection of capirinhas are are definitely more local. And though they generally show everything from UFC to baseball, during the World Cup they're unsurprisingly showing nothing but soccer from 1 pm till the end of the last game of the day.
Fans cheering the game — Photo courtesy of Moazzam Brohi
O'Malley's
An Irish-style pub in Jardim Paulista, O'Malley's serves up pub favorites like draft ale and fish and chips with specials like chicken tikka massala, happy hours, and buffets. Live music plays daily, but if your not listening to a band or playing on one of several pool tables, be sure to catch a game on one of the pub's 12 HD TVs and their "really huge screen" which are set to show soccer throughout the World Cup.
