Watching Live Sports in Barcelona

You've just touched down in Barcelona, and whilst you know you should be taking advantage of the nice weather and go and see some Gaudi, or at least take a token stroll around the Barri Gotic, the fact is the big game is on - and there's no way in hell you're going to miss it! If only you can find it...

That's where your sports-loving amigos at Barcelona Life come in handy, because whether it's the Euros, the next World Cup, the Champions League, El Clasico, a crunch fixture in the Premiership, or the FA Cup final we're desperate to see it too. And that's just the football! As for Formula 1, the Six Nations rugby or the Cricket World Cup, suffice to say we'd rather be in the pub catching all the action than on the beach getting burnt.

Naturally a city of Barcelona's size has plenty of great bars and pubs for catching live sports on TV, and without doubt every kebab house and shabby neighbourhood joint will be screening Barca games. But if you're an American feeling lost without somewhere to watch the Superbowl, an Englishman missing Wimbledon tennis, or any other international sport, then a good bet is to drop by either one of the city's many Irish bars, or one of the specialist sports bars dotted around town.

We've compiled a shortlist of our favourites, so check below for some of the best places to catch the big match live...

Above: Enjoying some pre-game beers and burgers.

Barcelona Sports Bars & Pubs

Sports Bar Rambles
A classic case of does what it says on the tin, Barcelona's Sports Bar is centrally located on Las Ramblas and has 16 big high definition screens (plus one giant one!), so you needn't miss a moment of the English Premiership, La Liga, Bundesliga, Champions League Finals, Superbowl, NBA, NFL, NHL or whatever other sweaty pursuit you can't get enough of. Grrrr! During the big tournaments, like the World Cup or European Football Championships, Sports Bar Rambles screen every single match, and - by the miracles of modern technology - they will also have both English and Spanish commentary segregated by area. Catering mainly to tourists, it's not always as lively as some of the other venues on this page it's a good choice if you want to chill and watch the game.
La Rambla dels Caputxins 31
www.bcnsportsbar.com

P. Flaherty's Irish Bar
You'll be hard pressed to find a pub more committed to sport than Paddy Flaherty's, which on top of screening every English Premiership game of the season also shows the Rugby Six Nations, Golf Ryder Cup, Formula 1 Racing, major Ice Hockey tournaments and boxing contests and much more on their seven TVs (including two king-size projectors). Got a special request? Well call ahead and they'll do their best to show it! Friendly staff, lip-smacking pub grub and a range of ales, beers and stouts on tap make Flaherty's a close second to being in the stadium.
Placa Joaquim Xirau
+34 (93) 4126263
www.paddyflaherty.com

The Loch Inn
With a huge screen above the bar and two sizeable back rooms also boasting televisions, there's plenty of room at the Inn to grab a seat and a pint whilst catching up with the day's sporting action. Every major Premier League contest gets shown, whilst Celtic vs. Rangers is a surety owing to the pub's Scottish allegiance. More obscure sports lovers will be pleased to hear that rugby, cricket and even darts all get a look in. With a great range of beers, ales and cider on tap, and a small kitchen serving up pies and curry, what more can you ask for?
Passeig de Sant Joan 74
+34 661973402
www.thelochinn.com

7 Sins
This glamorous and friendly international bar just off Plac Universitat is right in the centre of town and, whilst you won't find Women's Kickboxing or the Kabbadi World Cup being screened, you'll find the biggest events, such as Champion's League and La Liga Football matchs televised on a huge projector downstairs. A great option if you fancy watching the big match in a bit more comfort, as the venue has an abundance of sofas, not to mention attentive staff serving cocktails and tasty international dishes. Call ahead to grab a premier spot.
C/Muntaner 7
Tel: +34 (93) 4536445
www.7sinsbar.com

Belushi's Bar
Six HD plasma TVs bring you the latest sporting action, from America, Australia, the UK and beyond, so bookmark this spot if you want to see the best of the NFL (every Sunday), NHL and NBA, as well as the latest from the worlds of baseball, rugby, cricket and aussie rules. This being one of the world's most football-crazy cities, naturally there's plenty of soccer action too, particularly from La Liga, the Premier League and Champions League. All crunch matches, such as play offs, derbies, finals and special events etc, are televised on Belushi's giant screen (it takes up one whole wall!) with English commentary... and with plenty of drinks promos behind the bar you can expect a raucous atmosphere to go with the occasion!
C/Bergara 3
+34 (93) 6674588
www.belushis.com/bars/barcelona

Kennedy's Irish Sailing Club
Not the exclusive members-only club full of white-suited captains and admirals that the name suggests, but a beautifully decked out Irish pub on the Port Olimpic marina perfect for catching the game in. The friendly staff will show almost anything you like on their two projectors and three plasma screens and if you fancy mixing sporting action with a day at the beach then Kennedy's location is just perfect! They also have a great terrace overlooking the harbour. Highly recommended.
Moll de Mestral 26
+34 680771462

Sonora Sports Tavern
A big studenty beer hall with huge screens, Sonora is a great place to watch Barca in action and other La Liga matches and will be a certainty for all Spain games during World Cup 2014 and Euro 2016. However call ahead to check what other games and sports events they screen as Sonora mostly caters for locals - and how England are doing in the cricket may not be of much concern to them! (Scandal!). Located near Marina metro station in Poblenou.
C/Pamplona 96

The George Payne
This Irish pub is located just by Urquinaona metro station and is a decent place in town for watching live sports on TV. A large projector screen in the back room relays the action (albeit not in high definition) as the crowds lay into the pints and bar snacks. Get there well ahead of kick off if you don't want to be left outside, as it can get crowded, especially for Barca matches.
Placa Urquinaona 5

If you prefer to watch live sports at the stadium, court or trackside than in the pub, then you can read more about various events in our article on sports in Barcelona, can click here to find out how to buy tickets to Barcelona FC matches at Camp Nou, or check our page about attending the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.