The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here — and it's the biggest one ever. 48 teams, 104 matches, and for the first time in history, three host countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, and if you're in Waikiki during any part of it, Skybox Taphouse is where you watch.
Why Waikiki Is a Great Place to Watch the World Cup
Hawaii's time zone turns out to be perfect for World Cup viewing. Most matches kick off between 11 AM and 10 PM Eastern time, which translates to roughly 5 AM to 4 PM in Hawaii. That means the vast majority of games — including every knockout round match, every semifinal, and the final itself — happen during the daytime. You watch the match, and your entire evening is still free.
Here's how the key kickoff times convert to Hawaii Standard Time:
- 11 AM Eastern → 5 AM Hawaii (early group stage matches)
- 1 PM Eastern → 7 AM Hawaii
- 3 PM Eastern → 9 AM Hawaii (World Cup Final kicks off at this time)
- 5 PM Eastern → 11 AM Hawaii
- 7 PM Eastern → 1 PM Hawaii
- 10 PM Eastern → 4 PM Hawaii (late matches, mostly from West Coast venues)
The prime-time matches on the mainland are lunchtime matches in Hawaii. The final — which kicks off at 3 PM Eastern on July 19 — starts at 9 AM here. Morning coffee, breakfast, and a World Cup final. That's a hard schedule to beat.
20+ Screens, Full Sound, Every Match
Skybox Taphouse has over 20 TVs with state-of-the-art picture and sound spread across a 275-seat venue on the third-floor Grand Lanai of International Market Place. During the World Cup, every screen will be locked into tournament coverage. Sound on for the big matches. Sightlines from every seat — bar, table, indoor, and open-air outdoor.
With 104 matches over 39 days, there will be games almost every day of the tournament. During the group stage (June 11–27), there are three or four matches per day. Skybox will be showing all of them. If you're on vacation and looking for somewhere to catch a game without missing your beach time, the Hawaii schedule makes it easy — most matches wrap up by mid-afternoon.
The USA Is Playing
The US Men's National Team is one of three host nations, which means they're guaranteed a spot in the tournament and will play their group stage matches on home soil. The US is in Group B alongside England, playing matches in cities across the mainland. For fans in Hawaii who want to watch the US squad with a crowd that's into it, Skybox is the spot. Sound on, energy up, the whole experience.
This is the first World Cup on American soil since 1994. There's going to be a level of hype around this tournament that we haven't seen before, and the mix of locals and visitors in Waikiki during June and July means the crowd at Skybox will bring a range of national loyalties and plenty of energy no matter who's playing.
Food and Drink for Match Day
World Cup matches run one and a half to two hours, and with multiple games per day during the group stage, you might be at Skybox for a while. The full kitchen menu is running throughout — hand-crafted pizzas (whole pies or by the slice), Upper-Cut jumbo wings, Triple Play nachos for the table, fish tacos, sliders, burgers, and more. For morning kickoffs, the breakfast menu has you covered.
If matches fall during happy hour (Monday through Friday, 3–6 PM), you're looking at $5 domestic pints, $7 local Hawaiian drafts, and $11 signature cocktails. With most late-afternoon matches wrapping up right around happy hour, the timing works out perfectly.
The full bar has two house-brewed beers on tap — the Skybox Blonde and a Hazy IPA with mango and guava — plus local drafts from Kona Brewing, Maui Brewing, and Ola Brew. Pitchers and towers are available for groups settling in for multiple matches. Domestic towers at $37 and local towers at $41 keep the table supplied without constant trips to the bar.
After the Final Whistle
One of the best things about World Cup viewing in Hawaii is that the matches end early enough to keep your day going. After the game, you can hit the beach, explore Waikiki, or just stay at Skybox. Karaoke runs every night from 9 PM to 2 AM, and the kitchen stays open until 1 AM. Wednesday nights have trivia at 7 PM. The bar pours until 2 AM.
For bigger matches — USA games, semifinals, the final — expect the post-game atmosphere at Skybox to carry its own energy. Win or lose, those are the kind of shared moments that make watching at a bar better than watching in a hotel room.
Groups, Watch Parties, and Private Events
If you're organizing a World Cup watch party for a group — whether it's friends, family, or a corporate outing — Skybox has 275 seats, two bars, and a venue that can handle it. Private event packages are available with custom food and drink setups. Call 808-378-8542 to book.
For the biggest matches (USA games, quarterfinals and beyond), consider saving a table in advance. Walk-ins are always welcome, but these games will draw a crowd.
Tournament Schedule at a Glance
- June 11 — Opening match: Mexico vs. South Africa in Mexico City (9 AM Hawaii time)
- June 11–27 — Group stage (3–4 matches per day)
- June 28–July 2 — Round of 32
- July 4–6 — Round of 16
- July 9–12 — Quarterfinals
- July 14–15 — Semifinals
- July 18 — Third-place match
- July 19 — World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey (9 AM Hawaii time)
Getting There
Skybox Taphouse is at 2330 Kalakaua Ave #302, on the third floor of International Market Place in Waikiki. Open daily 11 AM to 2 AM, with early opens for morning kickoffs during the World Cup. Check the events page for the match schedule and any World Cup specials. See you for kickoff.