Madrid is turning into one enormous open-air stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. On Sunday 19 July, giant screens across the capital and surrounding municipalities will broadcast Spain’s clash with Argentina, with free public screenings drawing tens of thousands of fans to plazas, parks and arenas across the region.
Screenings of the Final in Madrid
The city’s main hub is Plaza de Colón, renamed “Plaza Selección” for the tournament by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. Two giant screens face opposite directions: the RFEF screen with a capacity of around 6,000, and the Ayuntamiento’s screen oriented toward Calle Génova, holding approximately 20,000 more. Entry is free and open until the space fills.
A second major outdoor venue sits at the Explanada de Puente del Rey in Madrid Río, where two screens accommodate around 15,000 people. Madrid’s concejala de Deportes has recommended this as the more spacious alternative to Colón.
The Movistar Arena (formerly Palacio de los Deportes) hosts the Comunidad de Madrid’s screening on the region’s largest screen: 16 by 9 metres (144 square metres), supported by ten additional displays throughout the venue. All 15,000 free invitations sold out within 90 minutes of being released.
More screening locations
Rita’s Mirador Fan Park, on the outdoor platform of the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, offers a free screening with live music, bars and food from 18:00, with prior registration required. Cines Yelmo cinemas across Madrid screen the match in their traditional and Premium rooms, with packs including entry plus popcorn and a drink from €8.30. Cinesa Méndez Álvaro (C/ Acanto, 2) also screens the final, with packs from €9.
Beyond the capital, confirmed outdoor screenings with giant screens are set up in Móstoles (Plaza de España), Alcorcón (Plaza Reyes de España), Fuenlabrada (Plaza de la Constitución) and Leganés (Plaza Mayor). Additional screens have been announced in Alcobendas, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Colmenar Viejo, Tres Cantos, Pinto, Arroyomolinos, Navalcarnero, Majadahonda and towns across the sierra and south of the region.
Practical info
Arrive early at Colón and Madrid Río, as both are open access and expected to fill well before kickoff at 21:00. The Movistar Arena’s doors open at 19:30. Cinema tickets should be booked online in advance through yelmocines.es or cinesa.es. For Rita’s Mirador, free registration is required before the event.
FAQ
What time does the World Cup 2026 final start in Madrid?
The match kicks off at 21:00 CEST on Sunday 19 July 2026. The game takes place at MetLife Stadium in New York (15:00 local time), and all Madrid screenings are timed to broadcast from that hour. Doors at the Movistar Arena open at 19:30.
Is Plaza de Colón free for the World Cup final screening?
Yes, both giant screens at Plaza de Colón are free and open to the public until capacity is reached. The combined space holds roughly 26,000 people across the RFEF screen and the Ayuntamiento screen facing Calle Génova. No ticket or reservation is needed.
Are there still tickets for the Movistar Arena World Cup screening?
No. All 15,000 free invitations for the Movistar Arena screening sold out within 90 minutes of being released by the Comunidad de Madrid. The only alternatives with guaranteed entry are the cinema screenings at Cines Yelmo and Cinesa, which require advance booking.
Where can I watch the World Cup final in a cinema in Madrid?
Cines Yelmo screens the final across multiple Madrid locations, with entry-plus-menu packs starting at €8.30. Cinesa Méndez Álvaro (C/ Acanto, 2, Arganzuela, 28045 Madrid) offers a similar setup from €9. Both chains sell tickets online, and booking in advance is strongly recommended given the demand.
Which municipalities near Madrid have giant screens for the final?
Confirmed outdoor screenings include Móstoles (Plaza de España), Alcorcón (Plaza Reyes de España), Fuenlabrada (Plaza de la Constitución) and Leganés (Plaza Mayor). Additional screens have been announced in Alcobendas, Tres Cantos, Colmenar Viejo, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Pinto, Arroyomolinos, Majadahonda, Navalcarnero and several towns in the sierra. All municipal screenings are free.
