The Qatar World Cup 2022 has truly been bringing Leeds to life this week.
It feels as though it was only yesterday we were sat in the pub, watching the 2021 Euros games in a world that was just reopening after being locked down for months on end. In the past two years, a whole lot has changed- including the local watering holes.
Now we finally have the chance to make the most of the local sports bars and watch the world cup in the company of like-minded fans, there's ample opportunity to grab a seat and pint around the city.
Keep reading to find out where you can watch all the action and find out if it's coming home this year...
Chow Down Winter Village
Chow Down, Temple Arches | Open from Thursday 11 November 2022
Chow Down will be taking full advantage of the showings and allowing those looking for a boozy football experience to watch the games in the Hutte Bavarian Beer Hall. The atmosphere here will be electric. Expect Huge screen and sound system, steins and beer selection, street food, heaters, table service and pre-match anthems for every single England and Wales match, plus all games from the quarter final onwards.
Wellington Street, Leeds city centre | Open from 10am
Image: Green Room
Grab a pew at Green Room under the heated lamps inside their winter terrace and grab a blanket on those colder days- they're geared up for all occasions here, including the World Cup. The popular bar space is offering a delicious brunch menu, and World Cup Special beer deal where you can grab four beer steins for £20 during England games.
Over in Meanwood, there's a brand new watering hole showing the World Cup for the first time. Inside the newly renovated Meanwood Tavern, you'll find big screens for the game, as well as Detroit-style pizzas from Well Oiled, a range of local beers and a stunning dark green interior- this one's perfect for the whole family, dogs and all.
Another new opening, SALT Oakwood has been in Leeds for a mere few weeks, but that's not stopping them from taking on the World Cup and offering viewings to all the punters walking through the door. Grab yourself a pint of SALT beer and a mouthwatering burger selection from resident kitchen Big Buns and enjoy the game without trapsing into the city centre.
The Brotherhood made headlines in Leeds earlier this year after changing its name to The Sisterhood as part of a campaign to watch the Women's World Cup games, and you can get that the popular New Briggate bar will be back with packed out tables for the men's games later this month. The policy will be walk-in only throughout the World Cup for England games, but you can book for any other games in advance.
Call Lane, Leeds city centre | Open from 12pm on weekends or 5pm during the week
Image: Brooklyn
Book yourself a seat at the table for the World Cup at Brooklyn and make the most of the private hire options for your chosen team. Grab a bagel from Bad Boy Bagel and a pint of just about anything and enjoy the footy how it was intended: surrounded by like-minded fans on a huge HD screen.
Roxy Lanes is the perfect spot for groups large and small to gather for the world cup games. Whether you're a football fan or just going along for the atmosphere, expect screens everywhere covering every inch of the action, before heading downstairs and playing a game of your own, including bowling, ice-free curling, ice hockey, pool and shuffleboard.
Infirmary Street, Leeds city centre and Otley Road, Headingley | Open from 12pm
Image: The Box
The Box have locations in the city centre and Headingley, so you’re never far from a cold pint of Budweiser or a bottle of wine. You can grab 2-for-1 cocktails, a 20% student discount and a pornstar martinis, served by the stein here too but if that's not enough, there's bottomless brunch and seemingly unlimited burger and pizza options to soak it all up.
Wellington Street, Leeds city centre | Open from 11am
Image: Rebound Social
Rebound Social is the home of all things football, so you can bet that this is going to be a sellout World Cup option. You'll need to book a table in advance, £5 for a normal game or £10 each if England are playing, but this will buy you one or two bottles of beer and cider during the game itself.
If you're in over the weekends, look out for their football-based bottomless brunch too!
The Original Oak in Headingley is a favourite for all ages, but if you’re a student looking for some sports action, you’ll feel quite at home at this Otley Run stop. The pub will be showing all the world cup games way into March and you can bet that there will be plenty of space for you to join the crowd.
The Tap Room is the Beck & Call’s dedicated sports room. Complete with pool table, darts and huge TV screens for all the live games, the popular watering hole have stated they will be showing all the world cup games. Plus every Friday and Saturday at Happy Hour, you can get £3 Fosters, £4 Virtuous and a £15 Bottle of Fizz.
You might recognise Skyrack from your Otley Run days, but the pub does far more than just fancy dress. Pull up a chair at the bar or find a seat around the pub in between the Leeds United memorabilia and watch all five rounds in the company of fans of all six nations. Same goes for the rest of the Greene King pubs in Leeds, all games will be shown (we just like Skyrack the best).
Another Otley Run favourite that's taking on the additional crowds for the rugby. Expect loud speakers, the occasional fancy dress customer and loads to do besides watching the matches. There's pool tables, giant food challenges and a great beer garden- not to mention a full menu that includes student discounted pints. If you're still at University, we bet we'll find you here for the matches.
The Greene King pub boast that they will be showing every world cup game live over the next six weeks, as well as their usual footy slots on Sky Sports and BT Sport. Located on 31 Boar Lane, The Griffin has all the pints you need to get yourself through the intense games, as well as some proper pub grub on offer too.
Woodhouse Lane, Leeds city centre | Open from 12pm
Image: Walkabout
You can bet your bottom dollar that Walkabout will be saying G’day to the world cup and serving up a feast whilst the matches play out. The Australian-themed sports bar boast space indoors and outdoors, as well as in their dedicated live sports areas, but booking is recommended to make sure you get a spot at the table before kickoff. Expect massive HD screens, a roaring atmosphere as well as the option to buy Brewdog by the keg.
Megastar Pitbull is heading to Roundhay Park in Leeds for a headline festival performance where you're sure to be yelling "Timber".
Lots of Leeds music lovers might be flocking to Roundhay Park for an outdoor gig like no other because this one comes with 'Hotel Room Service' - not literally, but the Cuban-American star will probably deliver a rendition of this smash hit.
Amid this current heatwave, we might even be able to change the 'International Love' lyrics from "Hotter than Miami" to "Hotter than Roundhay".
Pitbull playing out to a crowd of bald caps at Co-op Live in Manchester / Credit: The Manc Group
Pitbull UK tour dates
Tue 30 June - Belfast, UK - Ormeau Park
Wed 1 July - Bellahouston Park, UK - Glasgow Summer Sessions
Fri 3 July - Leeds, UK - Roundhay Festival
Sat 4 July - Cardiff, UK - Blackweir Fields
Sun 5 July - Lancashire, UK - Lytham Festival
Are there any tickets left for Pitbull at Roundhay Park, Leeds?
If you're up for singing"I'm on fiiiiiire" with the lively leeds crowd and Pitbull himself you can find tickets for his Roundhay Festival headlining slot HERE.
Oh and did we mention you can 'Talk Dirty' with Jason Derulo and 'Snap Yo Fingers' when Lil Jon takes to the stage, all in one day? This festival is top class.
Pitbull setlist for UK festival tour
These upcoming dates from the phenomenal Floridian are part of the Pitbull: I'm Back! tour which has already stopped off at a variety of venues stateside.
Here's all the tracks you need to get memorising ahead of Mr. Worldwide's British summertime shows:
Don't Stop the Party
International Love
Hotel Room Service
I Feel Good
Suavemente
Shake/ Culo
I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
On the Floor
I Like It
DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love
Feel This Moment
Gasolina
JUMPIN
Timber
Time of Our Lives
Fireball
Give Me Everything
What other artists are on the 3 July Roundhay Festival lineup?
Jason Derulo
Tinie Tempah
Lil Jon
Los Tucanes De Tijuana
Jazzie Martian
CJ. AllDayy
Dan Hills
DJ Flex
What are the stage times for Pitbull's headline Roundhay Festival?
Last entry for all shows is 8.30pm with box office closing slightly earlier at 8pm and any headliner expected to wrap up their set by 10.30pm.
Getting to Roundhay Park
Car
Just a 10 minute walk from Roundhay Festival's West Entrance is Connaught Fields which is the closest parking option.
Or, if you're up for a walk and want something more cost-effective, Fearnville Park and Stride is a 30 minute walk away, with parking spaces on the grass fields and a scenic country path which leads you to the festival.
Accessible parking can be found on Mansion Lane with a clear pathway to the event with spaces needing to be pre-booked when purchasing your ticket at no extra cost.
Bus/ coach
A dedicated shuttle bus service has been set up to and from Roundhay Festival running every 20 minutes from 11am to 8pm on Sovereign Street, just four minutes from Leeds Train Station.
The last shuttle bus from Roundhay Park back to the city centre will depart at 12.30am with clear signposting and stewards on hand for any gig goers.
Roundhay Festival has also partnered with Big Green Coach meaning concert attendees can hop on from a wide range of pick-up points across the UK from Wakefield all the way to Coventry - more info HERE.
Car/ taxi drop off
Vehicles heading to Roundhay Festival should follow marked signs for 'Pick-up/ Drop-Off points'.
Drivers should not attempt to pick-up or drop-off from any of the nearby roads aside from those already designated via signage: North Pick-up/ Drop-off via Park View Crescent | South Pick-up/ Dro-off via Wetherby Road.
Extra Info
All travel updates and road closures on event days will be announced and regularly checked HERE.
Featured Images; Press shot (via supplied) / The Manc Group
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UB40 at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
British-based reggae band UB40 are coming to Leeds for a celebration of all their greatest hits live at First Direct Arena.
Formed in Birmingham in the late 70's, this predominantly dub and reggae band has gone onto achieve much success including 50 UK charting singles.
UB40 have also sold over 100 million records as well as keeping a consistent line-up for almost 30 years, before lead vocalist Ali Campbell decided to leave the band.
Now, the band's lead vocalist is former Kioko lead singer Matt Doyle, who's taken on this role since mid-2021 and is ready to soundtrack your night while you enjoy some 'Red Red Wine'.
There's no official setlist confirmed for their latest tour, however, this 11-piece band have played an array of European dates with a pretty consistent roster of tracks:
Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
Maybe Tomorrow
Homely Girl
Sing Our Own Song
One in Ten
Home
Please Don't Make Me Cry
Many Rivers to Cross
Higher Ground
The Way You Do the Things You Do
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Cherry Oh Baby
Johnny Too Bad
Red Red Wine
Food For Thought
Forever True
Kingston Town
Can't Help Falling in Love
What are the stage times for UB40 in Leeds?
Anyone up for seeing UB40 play out at Leeds' impressive over 13,500 seater First Direct Arena will have to get there a tad early.
Doors will open at 6pm with a gig start time of 6.45pm due to the special guests who will be taking to the stage before them.
Make sure you get down early as you really won't want to miss the phenomenal duo Aswad, as well as standout vocalist Maxi Priest - It really is a reggae revolution.
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in LeedsÂ
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
Sophie Smith -
31st October 2022 
