CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — World Cup watch parties are packing local restaurants in eastern Iowa, turning ordinary weekdays into high-energy gatherings that managers say are boosting business and bringing fans together.
As the tournament continues, restaurants hosting watch parties are seeing customers arrive well before kickoff to claim seats, order food and stay for full matches. Managers say the events are drawing bigger crowds than they typically see.
At Big Grove Brewery in Cedar Rapids, assistant general manager Dylan Decklever said fans often show up early and settle in for the entire game.
“People like to show up one to two hours before the game to get their spot and then hang out and watch the entire game. It’s been amazing,” Decklever said.
Once matches begin, the atmosphere shifts as cheers fill the restaurant and fans from different backgrounds rally behind their teams. Decklever said U.S. matches bring the biggest crowds, but supporters of other countries have also been showing up.
“The atmosphere has just been amazing. U.S.A. chants after we score and just people excited for all parts of the game. We’ve had people supporting Colombia, Senegal—there’s people from all over coming in here and supporting their country,” he said.
The growing crowds have meant more tables filled with friends and families sharing meals while watching. Managers said the tournament has made some weekdays feel more like weekend nights, prompting restaurants to increase staffing.
“We’re staffed up like it’s Saturday night, even on a Monday. So we’re ready to go,” Decklever said.
Decklever said the World Cup has also broadened the usual sports crowd, with fans uniting around national teams.
“It’s a lot bigger because not everybody is an Iowa fan, but pretty much everyone here can call themselves like a United States fan. So that’s been really cool,” he said.
With more high-stakes matches ahead, restaurant managers said they expect crowds to keep growing as fans continue gathering to cheer on their favorite teams.
Dining and Cooking