As the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its final week, bars and restaurants across the Bay Area are stocking up and preparing for one last rush of soccer fans. The semifinals kick off Tuesday at noon when France faces Spain, followed by a matchup between Argentina and England on Wednesday. The winners will advance to the World Cup final on Sunday in New Jersey. For local businesses, the monthlong tournament has provided a massive boost during an otherwise quiet time of year. Because the U.S. is a co-host for the tournament—which included games played locally—the excitement and favorable time zones have driven heavy foot traffic to area watch parties. At The Brit in downtown San Jose’s San Pedro Square, owner Jasbir Singh said the 2026 tournament has attracted significantly larger crowds to his bar than the World Cup did four years ago. “This World Cup is amazing because [of the] afternoon games, evening games,” Singh said. “June is generally always a slow time because there’s no sports going on, but this June has been really, really good.” To prepare for Tuesday’s high-stakes match, Singh ensured his bar was ready for the influx of patrons. “We have all the good beers on tap, we have all the good stuff, food is already stocked,” Singh said. The surge in business extends beyond San Jose. Up the Peninsula in Palo Alto, The Pro has been drawing large numbers of fans to its watch parties, even setting up an extra screen outside to accommodate the overflow. “The past few games in the patio have been really fun, it draws a really large crowd,” said Nicholas Deluca, general manager of The Pro. This is the first World Cup since the venue reopened under its current name, and Deluca noted that preparation has been the key to their success over the past month. “[We’re] planning ahead, ordering lots of beer and product ahead and making sure we’re stocked up and ready to go,” Deluca said. Beyond the immediate jump in sales, local owners believe the tournament will have a lasting impact by bringing valuable exposure to their neighborhoods. “The more people who come here from outside the city, they see what San Pedro Square is all about,” Singh said. ...read more read less