World Cup parties begin with ‘unbelievable’ energy at East Sacramento beer garden
A sea of dark green, red and white braved the nearly 100-degree temperatures Thursday morning in California’s capital, vuvuzelas and noisemakers in hand, to catch the start of this year’s World Cup.
Sacramento welcomed the 2026 FIFA World Cup at watch parties across town, including at East Sacramento’s Garden at the Line.
Fans of the Mexican national team — with a smaller, but still proud contingent of South African supporters — poured into the beer garden at 6415 Elvas Ave. in anticipation of the kickoff game, played Thursday afternoon at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Garden at the Line is Sacramento’s self-proclaimed “unofficial official viewing destination” for the World Cup, according to bar representative Lindsay Nader. “We wanted to ... make sure that people had a really cool indoor-outdoor, lush garden vibe to kind of feel the world come together for the World Cup,” Nader said.
The bar has been prepping for this year’s World Cup for nearly six months, establishing plans and partnerships with local soccer organizations since January. The East Sacramento beer garden is screening every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup live throughout the tournament, which runs through July 19.
Sacramento Republic FC and Street Soccer USA represents were among Garden at the Line’s soccer fans on-hand Thursday.
“I know (Sacramento is) not one of the host cities, but it’s been unbelievable,” said Simone Rickford, game entertainment manager for the Republic FC. “We really hope that this reception and the interest can really ... grow our soccer family.”
Activating fans for the starting match
The energy was high throughout the morning as virtually every inch of Garden at the Line’s indoor and outdoor spaces crowded with soccer fans, who went on to watch Mexico defeat South Africa, 2-0.
Spectators proudly donned luchador masks, sombreros and Mexican flags. Temperatures steadily rose, but early-arriving fans were undeterred as they awaited the noon start.
Friends Melissa Pierce, Amy Dearo and Melody Quintana came to support the Mexican team. For Dearo and Quintana, soccer has been part of their lives for years, but Pierce is joining in the celebrations surrounding the world’s game for her first time this year.
“Just the excitement,” Pierce said about what called her to watch this World Cup. “I’ve seen how people ... get all dressed up and just the fun of being a part of it ... The whole thing sounds like fun.”
Sacramento’s chapter of Street Soccer USA — a nonprofit dedicated to improving community access to soccer through free programs — set up a small soccer pitch in the Garden at the Line’s parking lot, which guests can reserve for friendly games.
Lisa Wrightsman, managing director for the nonprofit’s Sacramento chapter, said encouraging people to join the soccer community is Street Soccer’s primary goal throughout the World Cup.
“If they feel all the energy and feel the magic, then they’ll understand why we want to make (soccer) available to everybody else,” she said. “We know a lot of people who love the game, but this is just another way to include more people who haven’t gotten it yet.”
Sacramento’s pro team Republic FC is calling Garden at the Line its home for a handful of World Cup watch parties, including Thursday’s starting match and the U.S. Men’s National Team’s first game Friday against Paraguay.
Nader said she hopes future matches could include more partnerships with the United Soccer League club, such as player meet-and-greets at the beer garden.
Sacramento’s ‘official unofficial’ World Cup headquarters
Throughout the World Cup’s opening match, booze and food from the Line’s commercial kitchen space — including a special pop-up from Mexican restaurant La Sabrocita — flowed freely among the spirited fans.
Once Mexico scored the tournament’s first goal early in the starting half, the energy only intensified.
Sacramento Councilmember Eric Guerra was among those to express excitement.
“It’s super exciting here to see so many people supporting our local small business ... here with my South African neighbors and my Mexican neighbors and everybody here from different parts of the world,” Guerra said. “Yes, it’s good for our businesses, but it’s bigger because of Sacramento unity.”
Nader said providing a gathering space was one of the Garden at the Line team’s top priorities when establishing a World Cup home base.
“We rolled in giant screens for the outdoor as well as all of the ones we already have fixed, so over 10 TVs, great sound system,” she said. “This place is really built to watch things.”
Guerra said he felt that while the World Cup is hosted across North America this year — including in the Bay Area, where the San Francisco 49ers’ home venue, Levi’s Stadium, will host six games with the first set for noon Saturday — the enthusiasm among local fans makes traveling to a game seem unnecessary.
“We’re having more fun here, actually, catching up with friends,” he said. “It’s even better.”
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 2:23 PM.
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