The scenes from Fed Square during the 2022 World Cup were iconic.<\/p>\n
Which made the original decision not to have a repeat in 2026<\/a> so galling to football fans in Australia, seemingly robbing them of a unique opportunity to unite the country through a joyous outpouring of football-bathed love.<\/p>\n Since that decision has been reversed<\/a> after a massive public outcry, including from the CEO of Football Australia, the floodgates have seemingly been opened at locations all over the country, with governments and local councils in several other states getting on board with the concept of a World Cup live site.<\/p>\n Just a few days after the Fed Square decision was reversed, the NSW Government released their plans for a live site at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour<\/a>, and now they have revealed there\u2019ll be a second major live site at Cathy Freeman Park, around the corner from the Olympic Stadium where the Socceroos famously beat Uruguay to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.<\/p>\n A couple of stadiums have thrown their hats into the live site ring as well, with Allianz Stadium in Sydney and AAMI Park in Melbourne both opening their gates to punters who want to watch the World Cup on the big screens.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s not just Sydney and Melbourne getting in on the act, with Adelaide and Perth also putting on large-scale public viewing sites for fans to gather and cheer on the national team.<\/p>\n Want World Cup news delivered to you daily? Sign up for our Football360 Daily Newsletter here<\/a><\/p>\n Check out our list of all the major World Cup live sites across the country.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve reached out to local and state governments in every major city to ask about their plans during the World Cup, but if you\u2019re aware of one that we\u2019ve missed, please let us know by emailing [email\u00a0protected]<\/a> or send us a DM on Instagram<\/a> or Facebook<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in an experience that\u2019s a bit different to a public live site, click here for information about Fan Zone<\/a>.<\/p>\n MELBOURNE<\/p>\n Federation Square<\/p>\n The crown jewel of World Cup live sites, this one almost didn\u2019t happen when the Melbourne Arts Precinct, which has jurisdiction over Federation Square, decided the unruly behaviour four years ago was too much of a risk to put on the event again.<\/p>\n That decision was swiftly overruled by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who potentially earned herself a few extra votes by reinstating the popular event.<\/p>\n All three Socceroos group stage games will be shown at Fed Square this time around, but expect a heavy security presence, with the Victorian government noting that fencing, entry gates, bag searches and hand wands will be in operation, \u201cto ensure everyone is safe\u201d.<\/p>\n Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n This one has flown under the radar, but Marvel Stadium will be hosting a free live site during the World Cup, though at this stage it\u2019s only for one game \u2013 Australia vs Paraguay on June 26.<\/p>\n Get more details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n AAMI Park<\/p>\n As was the case four years ago, AAMI Park \u2013 home of both of Melbourne\u2019s A-League clubs \u2013 will open up their grandstands for all three Socceroos group stage games. <\/p>\n Get more information here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Broadmeadows, Hume City Council<\/p>\n The Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows is getting around the World Cup in a big way, hosting a family-friendly Festival of Football next to the Broadmeadows Town Hall.<\/p>\n They\u2019re going the whole hog by showing not just the Socceroos games, but several other games on the days Australia play. Check out the full schedule here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Footscray, Maribyrnong City Council<\/p>\n Maddern Square in Footscray is hosting a live screening of the Socceroos\u2019 opening match against Turkiye. Get the details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n SYDNEY<\/p>\n Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour<\/p>\n It won\u2019t be floating on the water like the spectacular screen used in 2010, but Darling Harbour will still be hosting a pumping World Cup live site at Tumbalong Park \u2013 and not just for the Socceroos games, with the live site in operation for every game from the quarter-finals onwards, including the final on July 20.<\/p>\n Check out the full schedule below and here<\/a>:<\/p>\n Sunday 14 June, 2pm: Australia vs Turkiye<\/p>\n Saturday 20 June, 5am: USA vs Australia<\/p>\n Friday 26 June, 12pm: Paraguay vs Australia<\/p>\n Friday 10 July, 6am: Quarter-final 1<\/p>\n Saturday 11 July, 5am: Quarter-final 2<\/p>\n Sunday 12 July, 7am and 11am: Quarter-final 3 and 4<\/p>\n Wednesday 15 July, 5am: Semi-final 1<\/p>\n Thursday 16 July, 6am: Semi-final 2<\/p>\n Sunday 19 July, 7am: Third-place play-off<\/p>\n Monday 20 July, 5am: Final\u00a0<\/p>\n Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park<\/p>\n The NSW Government has seriously got in on the act by adding a second venue to its list of live sites, with Cathy Freeman Park \u2013 a stone\u2019s throw away from Accor Stadium \u2013 also hosting a live site for the Socceroos group stage games.<\/p>\n Check out the details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Parramatta Square<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in the western suburbs of Sydney, head down to Parramatta Square to catch all three Socceroos group games. More details can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Allianz Stadium<\/p>\n The gates at Allianz Stadium, home to Sydney FC, will be thrown open to let fans gather and watch the Socceroos\u2019 World Cup opener against Turkiye on what\u2019s hopefully a sunny Sunday afternoon. It\u2019s a free event, they just ask that you register your interest first, which you can do here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ADELAIDE<\/p>\n The Drive<\/p>\n As was the case four years ago, The Drive (formerly known as Memorial Drive) in Adelaide\u2019s Riverbank precinct will be hosting a big screen for every Socceroos game at the World Cup.<\/p>\n As with most of the events listed above, there\u2019ll be DJs, food trucks and drinks available for purchase at the Adelaide live site.<\/p>\n PERTH\u00a0<\/p>\n Northbridge Piazza<\/p>\n They don\u2019t do things by halves in Perth, where there will be a \u2018Superscreen\u2019 hosting a live site at the Northbridge Piazza for all three Socceroos group stage games, as well as the final.<\/p>\n Get more details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n BRISBANE, CANBERRA, HOBART, DARWIN<\/p>\n At the time of writing, Football360 was not aware of any major public live sites in these cities. If you know of one, please get in touch!<\/p>\n FAN ZONE<\/p>\n Looking for something a bit different to a public live site?<\/p>\n The team at Fan Zone are bringing football lovers closer to the action at venues across Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, providing atmospheric matchday experiences not just for the Socceroos games, but for games involving England, Scotland, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n The Fan Zone concept launched in Melbourne during the Euro 2024 competition, which ended with 2,000 people attending the watchalong at CQ Bar for the final between England and Spain.<\/p>\n Expect a similar crowd if those two nations do battle again at the World Cup.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $10, with a drink included. Check out all the details, and buy tickets, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Subscribe to Football360 Today on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for more insights. Today, Daniel Garb joins David Weiner to dissect the Socceroos squad. You can also watch below or on YouTube.<\/p>\n