Spain faces Belgium on July 10 in one of the biggest matches of the tournament so far. It is expected to be a difficult game, but if Spain wins, they will move on to a semi-final that many football fans already consider the real final of the competition.
If you are visiting Madrid, watching the match with thousands of local supporters can be completely different from watching it in a hotel room. The atmosphere is loud, emotional, and chaotic after the final whistle. If Spain wins, expect celebrations to continue well into the night.
Where can you watch the match outdoors?
Large public screenings are sometimes announced only a few days before major matches, depending on the tournament organizers and the city authorities. Even if official fan zones change from one event to another, these are the places most likely to host large crowds or public screenings.
Plaza de Colón
Plaza de Colón has hosted large football fan zones during previous international tournaments and is usually the first place to check for official outdoor screenings. The square is easy to reach by Metro (Colón station) and has plenty of asphalt space for large crowds.
- What to expect: Arrive at least one or two hours before kick-off if a giant screen is installed. Security checks at gated entry points and long queues are common before big matches. There is absolutely no shade here, so if you arrive early while the sun is still up, it will be scorching.
- Nearby attractions: If you want to escape the heat beforehand, you can walk through the nearby Salamanca district or visit the National Archaeological Museum, which is only a few minutes away.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is one of Madrid’s most famous squares. While it is not guaranteed to host an official city-gated giant screening, many restaurants and bars place televisions outside on their terraces during major football matches, creating a lively atmosphere.
- What to expect: The square fills up quickly, especially when Spain is playing. If you want a seat on a terrace, arrive well before kick-off and expect to pay heavily inflated tourist-area prices for food and drinks.
- Nearby attractions: Puerta del Sol, Mercado de San Miguel, and the Royal Palace are all within easy five-to-ten-minute walking distances.
Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol is Madrid’s central meeting place, and fans automatically gather here before and after important matches. Even if there is no official giant screen in the center of the square, dozens of nearby bars and traditional tabernas broadcast the game.
- What to expect: This area becomes extremely crowded and boisterous if Spain wins. Public transport continues running, but local police frequently shut down or control the entrances to the Sol Metro and Cercanías station to manage crowd surges. You might have to walk to Opera or Gran Vía stations to get home.
- Nearby attractions: While you are here, you can see the famous Bear and Strawberry Tree statue or walk up to the shopping district of Gran Vía in just a few minutes.
Sports bars around Gran Vía
If you prefer a guaranteed television and some protection from the summer heat, sports bars around Gran Vía (like James Joyce Irish Pub slightly further down towards Cibeles) are a good alternative. Many have multiple screens, English-speaking staff, and food served throughout the match.
- What to expect: Reservations are highly recommended whenever Spain plays. Without one, you will have difficulty finding a table or even standing room shortly before kick-off.
- Nearby attractions: Gran Vía is the main artery for shopping, theatres, and late-night restaurants if you want to continue your evening after the final whistle.
What should you expect logistically?
July evenings in Madrid are intensely warm. Even long after sunset, temperatures often remain above 25°C because the concrete and stone buildings radiate heat. Bring water if you plan to stand outside for several hours.
Public toilets are practically non-existent in open squares. You will need to use the facilities in a café or restaurant, which means buying a drink first and waiting in long lines at halftime. Mobile phone coverage is generally good, although networks can become incredibly slow or drop connections entirely when thousands of people gather in the same square and try to stream videos simultaneously.
If Spain wins, taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber or Cabify will be nearly impossible to find immediately after the match due to traffic diversions and road closures around celebration areas like Plaza de Cibeles. Plan on walking or using the Metro network instead.
Would you rather watch online?
If you prefer watching from your hotel, apartment, or anywhere with an internet connection to avoid the crowds and heat, the match will be available on Spain’s public broadcaster, RTVE.
You can follow this guide to watching Spain vs Belgium live and free online for step-by-step instructions on accessing the local stream.
If you are outside Spain during your trip or using a foreign cellular data roaming plan that blocks access to RTVE normally, this guide to watching RTVE outside Spain explains how to bypass regional blocks.
