Who’s your favorite NFL team? Connect with like-minded fans at these bars

Are you ready for some football?

The NFL season is officially here as the Dallas Cowboys take on the defending Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Thursday night game starts at 5:20 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.

For the next three months, football fanatics across the capital region will get into the tailgating spirit as they take their team spirit into their homes, casinos and watch bars.

Expect Eagles fans to flock to Limelight Bar and Card Room screaming “Go Birds.” The bar is located at 1014 Alhambra Blvd. and has been deemed the official watch bar for Philly fans.

Opening week includes a rare Friday night game between the AFC champions Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers played in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Those Red Coaters faithful to Chief Kingdom typically show up and show out at Field House American Sports Pub, located 1833 Fulton Ave. near Alta Arden Expressway.

The rest of the league’s Week 1 starts on Sunday. Some anticipated season debuts include rookie Travis Hunter, two-way standout at receiver and defensive back out of Colorado, when his Jacksonville Jaguars host the Carolina Panthers.

NFL veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, faces off against the New York Jets, whom he played for the last two seasons.

The Green Bay Packers look to test out their newly acquired star, four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Micah Parsons, who was recently traded to the team from the Cowboys in exchange for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027. The Packers play the Detroit Lions at 1:25 p.m.

The Las Vegas Raiders open the season against the New England Patriots, as the Raiders begin a new era with head coach Pete Carroll, Geno Smith and highly touted young stars in Brock Bowers and the team’s 2025 sixth overall pick Ashton Jeanty.

The San Francisco 49ers start the season against a division rival, Seattle Seahawks. The Bay Area team will have a new look after losing wideout Deebo Samuels to the Washington Commanders in the offseason.

Here are bars in the Sacramento area to check out and connect with like-minded fans.

Old Tavern

This midtown bar located at 1510 20th St. is for those who don silver and black. When you walk in the establishment, it’s hard to not notice all the Raiders gear along the walls.

An extension of the Black Hole, Raider Nation gathers at this spot and turns it into a football frenzy on Sundays, or whenever the Raiders suit up.

Cheaters

Cheaters Sports Bar at 3221 Folsom Blvd. in East Sacramento welcomes Steelers fans.

Inside on display are their “terrible towels” and a sign that reads “Steeler Country”.

It has an east coast bar vibe as mostly Steelers memorabilia cover the inside decor. Other teams that are showcased on the walls, whether jerseys, helmets or other collectibles include the Lions, New York Giants, 49ers and Minnesota Vikings.

University of Beer, East Sacramento

With 35 craft beers on tap, plenty of TVs and space, the University of Beer at 5090 Folsom Blvd. in East Sacramento makes for a great place to catch the games on Sundays.

You can catch fans in there yelling “Go Pack Go” as the bar is a reserved haven for Packers fans. The spot welcomes long time fans who cheered for Packer greats such as Bart Starr, Sterling Sharpe, Donald Driver, Reggie White, Charles Woodson, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers or Davante Adams.

It welcomes new fans who are rooting for Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs and newly acquired Parsons to make a splash in the NFC North division.

Players

Players Bar is a longstanding bar and is a community staple at 4060 Sunrise Blvd. in Fair Oaks. The spot has been opened at this location since 1984.

The neighborhood bar isn’t niche to one select team but rather a community of football loving fans who come together and playfully banter with one another as they root one their respective teams.

Many fans come through to Players and represent for the Cowboys, 49ers, Raiders, Steelers and Los Angeles Rams.

Barwest

There are plenty of spots to check out for Niners fans, as the team’s proximity makes for a high number of fans in the Sacramento area.

However, Barwest at 2724 J St. in Sacramento’s midtown neighborhood sees plenty of 49er faithful arriving at the bar to watch the team.

Other fans find themselves at Barwest because of the lively environment and sports atmosphere that takes place. Fans of the Raiders, Rams, Cowboys and Seahawks sometimes find themselves at Barwest.

Here are other notable Sacramento-area sports bars and restaurants where fans alike can enjoy the return of football season:

• Corner Pocket, 7777 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights

• 32 Brews Street (inside Sky River Casino), 1 Sky River Parkway, Elk Grove

• Buffalo Wild Wings, 7490 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove

• FLB Sports Bar, 511 E Bidwell St., Folsom

• Mandango’s, 106 N Sunrise Ave., Roseville

• Tom’s Watch Bar, 414 K St., Downtown Commons

• Henry’s Lounge, 2019 O St., midtown Sacramento

Don’t see your team? If there’s a sports bar we missed or you’d like to see your favorite watch bar mentioned, send an email to Bee reporter Marcus D. Smith msmith@sacbee.com.