2026 FIFA World Cup: Fun Facts, Biggest Changes, and Why This Year is Historic

Keywords: 2026 FIFA World Cup, where to watch the World Cup in Utah, soccer

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, happening June 11-July 19 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events in global sports history. From expanded teams to a three-country host format, this tournament is changing the game before the first match even kicks off. Whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan or just looking for a reason to gather with friends, here’s everything you need to know—including where to watch the World Cup in Utah.

A Truly Historic Tournament

The biggest headline? The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first ever hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It’s also the largest soccer tournament in history, expanding from 32 to 48 teams.

That means:

  • More matches (104 total vs. 64 in previous years) 
  • More nations competing 
  • More chances for surprising outcomes and edge-of-your-seat action 

For fans, this year’s tournament translates into a month of non-stop soccer and more opportunities to experience the global excitement around the game. And there’s no better place to watch the World Cup in Utah than your favorite neighborhood location of Bout Time Pub & Grub.

World Cup Changes to Know

This isn’t just a bigger World Cup, it’s a different one.

The tournament introduces a new group-stage format with 12 groups instead of 8. More soccer teams means more diversity in play styles and matchups than fans have ever seen before.


With the U.S. as a primary host, American cities will see a record number of games, including high-profile knockout rounds and the final.

That means an elevated fan experience across the country including immersive viewing events that will feel more like a global celebration than ever before.

Fun Trivia Facts to Share at Your Table

  • This will be the first World Cup with 48 teams in FIFA history 
  • Mexico becomes the first country to host three World Cups 
  • The tournament will span 16 host cities across North America 
  • The final is expected to be one of the most-watched sporting events ever 

In short, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a milestone moment for the sport.

Where to Watch the World Cup in Utah

Although Salt Lake City isn’t a host city, they will be the team base camp for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national men’s soccer team so fans will still feel the excitement in real time. 

And if you’re wondering where to watch the World Cup in Utah, sports bars like Bout Time are the place to be. Known for the high-energy atmosphere, more TVs than tables, scratch-made food, and a game-day crowd, Bout Time’s locations across the Wasatch Front are a great place to meet friends for an early match or catch a late-night showdown.

With packed patios and lively crowds, Bout Time is the kind of place where every 2026 FIFA World Cup goal feels bigger because you’re surrounded by other die-hard fans.

Get Ready for Kickoff

As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, one thing is certain: it will redefine what a global sporting event can be—making it unlike anything we’ve seen before. With more teams and North American hosting, the tournament brings the sport closer to home for millions of fans.

So, grab your jersey, rally your friends, and start planning to watch the World Cup in Utah. It’s a chance to experience global culture, competition, and connection—whether you’re in a stadium or watching from your favorite barstool at Bout Time.

You won’t want to miss a single moment.

Bout Time Pub & Grub Is the Perfect Game-Day Spot for Playoff Season

Head to Bout Time Pub & Grub for the ultimate NBA and NHL playoff game experience
With NBA and NHL playoffs heating up, Bout Time Pub & Grub wants to welcome sports fans to gather, cheer, and catch every moment together.

Visit any of our Utah and Colorado locations to get in on all of the action, complete with wall-to-wall playoff coverage, crowd-favorite food and drinks, and an upbeat sports-loving community.

“Playoff season truly brings people together,” said Dan Eckersley, Director at Bout Time Pub & Grub. “Fans want to be around the energy, the excitement, and other people cheering alongside them, and that’s exactly the atmosphere we aim to create at Bout Time.”

Complete your viewing experience with wings, pizza, sliders, and more from the Bout Time Pub & Grub menu, and finish it off with your favorite beer or cocktail.

Whether fans are following every series or just looking for the perfect place to watch the biggest matchups, Bout Time Pub & Grub aims to make every playoff night memorable throughout May and June. Come in to Bout Time Pub & Grub throughout the season to catch all of your most anticipated games.

Bout Time in Bluffdale Hosts Grand Opening for New Family-Friendly Neighborhood Grill Experience

Bout Time in Bluffdale expands with a new family-friendly dining space, while continuing its established sports bar

The Bluffdale community asked, and Bout Time listened! This weekend, Bout Time in Bluffdale is celebrating the opening of its new Neighborhood Grill experience — a welcoming, family-friendly dining space downstairs, while continuing to deliver its energetic sports bar atmosphere upstairs. Together, the two concepts provide a space designed for everyone under one roof.

“This expansion reinforces what Bout Time has always been about — creating a place where people can come together, build community, and share unforgettable experiences,” said Tim Ryan, CFO of Bout Time Pub & Grub. “We welcome the community to come and experience this family-friendly addition first-hand, and celebrate this next chapter with us.”

The event will kick off on Saturday, May 16th, at 12:30 p.m. and go through 2:00 p.m. Along with its family-friendly dining area, the Bluffdale location has added a dirty soda fountain, featuring flavors that both kids and adults will enjoy. Try our recipes or make your own combination to pair with our kids menu and Bout Time favorites

At the event, guests will have the chance to try new dirty sodas and milkshakes for free. A free kids meal will also be included with the purchase of an adult entree. The fun doesn’t stop there — guests have the chance to enter giveaways for Bout Time gift cards, going up to $100.

Bout Time started with the dedication of being a space built for everyone. It’s become well-known for its great sports bar atmosphere, but is excited to bring back its roots by implementing this family-focused addition in Bluffdale.

Bring your family, friends, and appetite to the the Bout Time Neighborhood Grill launch event on Saturday to see what it’s all about! Learn more and follow for updates on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

About Bout Time Neighborhood Grill

Located in the heart of Bluffdale, Bout Time Neighborhood Grill is committed to having something for everyone. Upstairs, guests can enjoy the energy of a classic sports bar atmosphere, while downstairs offers a welcoming, family-friendly dining space. Originally established on the historic site of Porter Rockwell’s Hot Spring in 1856, this space has served the community for generations as a Pony Express station, inn, gathering place, and brewery. Today, Bout Time Neighborhood Grill honors that legacy by creating an environment where anyone can come together to share great food, memorable experiences, and lasting connections.

Two Experiences, One Location: Bout Time in Bluffdale Expands with New Family Dining Space

Bout Time in Bluffdale offers family-friendly space, while maintaining classic sports bar experience upstairs

Bout Time in Bluffdale is excited to announce its new addition — Bout Time Neighborhood Grill — will feature a dedicated family dining area downstairs, while continuing to offer its classic sports bar experience upstairs.

Bout Time began as a place built for everyone — families, friends, and sports fans alike. Over time, the brand evolved into more of a pub atmosphere, but is excited to bring that family-friendly foundation back into the mix. Bluffdale asked, and we listened, refreshing our original concept for the next chapter.

“We want this to be a space where friends, families, and neighbors can gather and enjoy what Bout Time has to offer,” Tim Ryan, CFO of Bout Time Pub & Grub. “This addition allows us to stay true to our roots, while reestablishing Bout Time as a place to bring communities together.”

Additionally, Bout Time Neighborhood Grill will feature a dirty soda bar, perfect to cool off during the summer, or enjoy a sweet drink with dinner. Don’t worry, all the Bout Time menu favorites you’ve come to know and love, such as our delicious burgers and wings, will still be on the menu. Come in for a fun, laid-back dinner with meals made from scratch, and top it off with the perfect soda mix.

This Bluffdale location is one of nine Bout Time spots across Utah. Opened on the site of Porter Rockwell’s Hot Spring in 1856, this location has served as a Utah Pony Express station, inn, and brewery over the years. We are proud to honor its rich history while continuing to establish it as a place for the community to gather and make meaningful connections.

Whether you’re catching the game or sitting down for a casual family dinner, Bout Time Neighborhood Grill offers something for everyone. Come experience the new dirty soda bar and family-friendly atmosphere today!

Raise a glass this National Beer Day with Bout Time Pub & Grub

Celebrate National Beer Day at Bout Time Pub & Grub with the Ultimate Game-Day Pairing


National Beer Day is just around the corner, and Bout Time Pub & Grub is inviting guests to celebrate at the beloved sports bar. Come in, take a seat, and relax with delicious drinks and fresh food made from scratch.

National Beer Day, which falls on April 7th every year,is a celebration of one of America’s favorite drinks — and what better way than to celebrate with a cold beer, wall-to-wall sports, and game day favorites, such as Bout Time’s Ultimate Nachos, classic sliders, and savory burgers.

“Nothing brings people together like a great beer, especially on National Beer Day at Bout Time Pub & Grub,” said Dan Eckersley, Director at Bout Time Pub & Grub. “Try a new beer, or sip one of your old favorites and spend the day with us.”

National Beer Day was first started to commemorate the passage of the Cullen-Harrison Act, allowing Americans to legally purchase beer and wine, capped at 3.2% by weight, for the first time since the Prohibition. For decades, it’s been seen as a celebration of popular beers and raising a glass between family and friends.

On top of being the go-to spot for National Beer Day, Bout Time is also bringing all the action this month, from The Masters tournament to UFC fight nights, MLS matchups, and the NFL Draft. Visit any Bout Time’s nine Utah locations for a refreshing pint and every big play on wall-to-wall TVs. Celebrate National Beer Day with Bout Time Pub & Grub, and for every moment worth cheering for.

About Bout Time Pub & Grub

Founded in 2009 in West Jordan, Utah, Bout Time Pub & Grub is a locally-owned sports pub dedicated to scratch-made food, a welcoming atmosphere, and a true game-day experience. With locations across Utah and Colorado, Bout Time combines the energy of a sports bar with the comfort of a neighborhood pub. Learn more at www.bouttimepub.com.

Bout Time Pub & Grub Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day and a Major Tournament Weekend Across Utah Locations

Bout Time Pub & Grub Invites Utah Communities to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Food, Fun, and March Sports

St. Patrick’s Day overlaps with early tournament games this year — a huge win for sports fans! Head to Bout Time Pub & Grub locations for a bit of luck of the Irish, as well as plenty of basketball watch parties this March.

Starting Saturday, March 14th, and going through St Patrick’s day on March 17th, enjoy some of Bout Time’s delicious themed foods and drinks! Try a plate of smoked Corned Beef & Cabbage, and wash it down with a pint of Guinness or an Irish Slammer.

The party doesn’t end thereBout Time Pub & Grub’s nine locations across Utah are also the perfect place to keep up with March Madness. With scratch-made food, wall-to-wall TVs, and high-energy watch parties, it’s a great way to get in on all of the action. Dig into savory nachos, smoked wings made fresh daily, and hand-cut fries made in-house.

“Bout Time Pub & Grub is dedicated to creating the best experience for celebrating spring sports with our community,” said Dan Eckersley, Director at Bout Time Pub & Grub. “This March, we’re thrilled to carry on that tradition with nonstop energy during March Madness and St. Patrick’s Day.”

Visit your nearest Bout Time Pub & Grub location this St. Patrick’s Day to join in on all of the excitement, as well as catch every moment of tournament action this March.

About Bout Time Pub & Grub

Founded in 2009 in West Jordan, Utah, Bout Time Pub & Grub is a locally-owned sports pub dedicated to scratch-made food, a welcoming atmosphere, and a true game-day experience. With locations across Utah and Colorado, Bout Time combines the energy of a sports bar with the comfort of a neighborhood pub. Learn more at www.bouttimepub.com.

Bout Time’s 2025 Fan Favorites: What You Ate, Drank, and Cheered For

As we wrap up another unforgettable year at Bout Time Pub & Grub, we’re taking a look back at what made 2025 so delicious, exciting, and absolutely worth cheering for. Let’s recap the memories at your favorite Bout Time with friends, coworkers, or total strangers who became your game-day crew, and raise a glass to the food, flavors, and moments that make Bout Time one of the best sports bars in Utah. From the dishes you couldn’t stop ordering to the drinks you raised high after every big play, consider this your official year-in-review of Bout Time favorites 2025. 

The Bout Time Dishes Craved Most in 2025

Utahns have opinions—and this year, your taste buds spoke loud and clear. Between recommendations from our excellent staff to long-time customer favorites, these are some of our scratch-made menu items that kept coming out of the kitchen, no matter the night, sport, or season.

The Chubby Melt

Tried-and-true classics are fan favorites for a reason, and the Original Chubby Melt™ is no exception. We start with a juicy ground chuck beef patty hand-formed to ensure maximum flavor in every bite. Then we add melted cheese, grilled onions, and Thousand Island dressing, all delivered between two Parmesan-crusted grilled cheese sandwiches. It’s a hearty meal that will keep you going through an entire day of gridiron action.

Wings for the Win

No shocker here: wings remain untouchable. Spicy, sweet, crispy, saucy, however you like them, our wings are a menu staple and an event of their own. Pick your style (extra crispy, savory smoked, or boneless), then sauce them the way you like them. They’re wings your way, and the choices are mouthwatering.

Brunch Favorites

If there were a league for brunch, ours would be the defending champs. With college and NFL football dominating the weekends much of the year, we fire up the kitchen early so fans can fuel up before kickoffs. The brunch menu is stacked with favorites: hearty biscuits and gravy, fluffy omelets loaded with your favorite fillings, huevos rancheros that bring just the right amount of heat, and decadent Monte Cristos in shareable formats. 

Sips You Couldn’t Get Enough Of

Bout Time is as much about the cold drinks as it is about the hot games. From your favorite local Utah beers (many on tap) that are perfect for celebrating last-minute touchdowns or coping with a brutal overtime, our drafts quench your thirst.

We’ve also got plenty of spirits to keep yours high. Kick off the weekend with a Bloody Mary or mimosa with brunch, a cocktail for fans who like a little kick between plays, or sip whiskey straight or on the rocks for something simple, strong, and reliable (much like a great quarterback). And for the designated drivers and weekday regulars who still wanted something fun in their glass, spirit-free, zero-proof cocktails are made just for you. 

Events You Showed Up For—Loudly

2025 gave us everything: unbelievable shots, unexpected upsets, hometown rivalries, and moments only made better by a room full of fans erupting in unison. Some of the standout events included:

Basketball Madness

From Utah Jazz buzzer beaters to wall-to-wall March Madness brackets, basketball fans arrived in lucky jerseys to fill tables long before game time. 

NFL and College Season Kickoffs

The first kickoffs of fall are essentially holidays at every location of Bout Time. This year’s turnouts were one of our biggest ever, complete with a couple of new venues to choose from.  

Hockey and Soccer Scored

Our game-day crowds for RSL and Utah Mammoth matchups weramongof the most electrigatheringsts of the year.

Cheers to a Crowd That Made 2025 Unforgettable

When people say Bout Time is the best sports bar in Utah, we always say it’s because of our customers. Some come for the food, the drinks, the camaraderie, or the game itself, but everyone collectively made this year one for the books.

Here’s to another year of scratch-made food, cold drinks, and the best sports fans around. Bring on 2026—your table’s already waiting!

Give the Gift of the Ultimate Game Day Experience this Christmas with Bout Time Holiday Gift Card Deal

Bout Time Pub & Grub Holiday Gift Card Deal: Give a Little, Get a Little More!

Looking for the perfect gift for the sports fans in your life? Bout Time Pub & Grub has you covered. For the holidays, the popular spot is offering a can’t-miss gift card deal. Pick up a few for the perfect stocking stuffers, and maybe even treat yourself a little, too.

Through Dec. 21, buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 bonus gift card. Go a little bigger — buy a $100 gift card and receive a $20 bonus card. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

“A Bout Time Pub & Grub gift card comes with the unbeatable combo of great food, cold drinks, and unforgettable fun,” said Dan Eckersley, Director at Bout Time Pub & Grub. “We’re thankful for our fans’ loyalty and excited to give back by spreading some Christmas spirit.”

There’s nothing quite like giving the gift of a true game day experience, which is what Bout Time Pub & Grub prides itself on. The locally owned and operated sports pub has eleven locations across Utah and Colorado, where you will find wall-to-wall sports coverage, delicious food made from scratch, refreshing drinks, and a great, lively atmosphere.

Plus, the timing couldn’t be more perfect with exciting college football games coming up and the Super Bowl this February. Head over to your local Bout Time Pub & Grub for your Christmas shopping, and give the gift of a good time!

Football, Friends & Festive Drinks: Celebrate Thanksgiving Weekend at Bout Time

The holiday season is here, and Bout Time Pub & Grub is making Thanksgiving weekend stress-free and fun. Bring in loved ones visiting from out of town to relax and enjoy Thanksgiving weekend’s football games, or take a little break from turkey and enjoy a plate of nachos and a good cocktail. 

Whether relatives are stopping in for a quick catch-up or spending a few days in Salt Lake City, Bout Time Pub & Grub offers a warm, inviting space to relax, connect, and enjoy the season.

“Bringing family to town should feel joyful, not stressful,” said Dan Eckersley, Director at Bout Time Pub & Grub. “We want to offer a welcoming place where everyone can unwind, enjoy a few drinks, and create memories that last long after the holidays.”

Although Bout Time Pub & Grub will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, we welcome you to come all weekend to celebrate at one of our 10 locations across Utah and Colorado. At Bout Time Pub & Grub, this Thanksgiving weekend, enjoy delicious dishes made from scratch, drinks, and every NFL game on with no dishes and no stress.

Whether you’re dropping off the husbands for a Black Friday shopping run or relaxing with family and friends, Bout Time prides itself on being the perfect spot to laugh, lounge, and spend the holidays together.

Skip the cleanup, grab a table, and celebrate with delicious bites, refreshing drinks, and all the football you can handle with Bout Time Pub & Grub this Thanksgiving.

Bout Time Pub & Grub Celebrates 16th Anniversary

Cheers! Utah-owned and operated Bout Time Pub & Grub Celebrates Its Sweet 16

Bout Time Pub & Grub, Utah’s locally-owned and operated sports pubs, is raising a glass to sixteen years this September! That’s sixteen years of big game days, refreshing drinks, and loyal fans who came together to make this all possible.

“As we celebrate our 16th anniversary, our entire Bout Time team is thankful for the support of our pub communities through the years and so proud to be serving our guests with craveable food and cold beverages in an uncompromising sports atmosphere,” said Tim Ryan, CFO of Bout Time Pub & Grub.

Bout Time Pub & Grub’s story began with a single pub in West Jordan in 2009. It quickly gained popularity, winning local awards such as “Best Sports Bar” and “Coldest Beer”. Over time, it expanded into a multi-location favorite, now proudly serving guests in 10 locations across Utah and Colorado.


Founded by a group of friends with a vision to create the ultimate neighborhood pub — serving up fresh food, ice-cold drinks, and wall-to-wall sports — Bout Time Pub & Grub has stayed true to its roots, working hard to uphold these values and ensure that every guest feels welcome.

“From our humble beginnings in a tiny pub in West Jordan, our success has been due to our loyal fans and hard-working team members, who remain the heart and soul of Bout Time.  We remain committed to providing a welcoming space where neighbors become friends, and friends become family. Here’s to many more years of serving our communities,” Ryan said.

In addition to being a popular gathering spot, Bout Time Pub & Grub is also dedicated to giving back through the Bout Time Cares program, which sponsors youth sports, local organizations, and contributes to community-driven causes.

Bout Time Pub & Grub is grateful to everyone who has made this milestone possible, and we invite you to celebrate at your nearest location this September.

About Bout Time Pub & Grub

Founded in 2009 in West Jordan, Utah, Bout Time Pub & Grub is a locally-owned sports pub dedicated to scratch-made food, a welcoming atmosphere, and a true game-day experience. With locations across Utah and Colorado, Bout Time combines the energy of a sports bar with the comfort of a neighborhood pub. Learn more at www.bouttimepub.com.