⚽ 104 Matches, 1 City & Where to Watch in Cleveland

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: That 9 P.M. glow hits differently in our city. Trust us, you’ll want to step outside tonight 🚶‍♂️🌆☀️

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Ready for some futbol?

The FIFA 2026 World Cup hits the ground running when Mexico takes on South Africa in Mexico City at 3 p.m. Thursday.

This installment of the tournament will provide a month of madness to fans around the world and in the area – and a chance to tap your inner soccer hooligan in local bars.

Ticket sales around the country have stalled for the World Cup, due to the Iran War, travel costs and record prices.

But Cleveland represented itself well when more than 64,000 fans attended the Brazil-Egypt Road to 26 warm-up at Huntington Bank Field.

It reflects the growing interest in soccer, and superteams like Brazil, Germany, Spain and England.

There’s also the ethnic diversity of the city and the pride fans take in the teams from their ancestral homelands.

Ireland, Italy, Serbia and Slovenia – all with large ethnic populations in the area – didn’t qualify.

Germany is always a draw, with 400,000 Northeast Ohioans claiming German heritage.

England is always a draw due to the popularity of the English premier league. Iran is of interest because of the war.

There are 104 matches running through July 19. Schedule.

Check out our guide to soccer-crazy bars that will be airing World Cup matches in the 216 Rundown below.

“Welcome to Cleveland, where it’s cheap and easy.”

We’ve long thought that the city should adopt that as its motto – and a new report from RE/MAX is making the case.

The median home sale price in Cleveland is $262,250 -- the second-lowest among the major metro areas trailing only Wichita, Kansas, at $248,500.

The real estate company finds that the average home across the 51 metro areas reached $445,000 — roughly 70% higher than Cleveland’s median.

The area’s image as a “refuge of affordability” has driven some of best price appreciation in the country.

The median sale price rose 7.5% year-over-year – the fourth-highest percentage gain among all metros in the report.

And you wonder why Cleveland and the Midwest as a whole are seeing buyers from the speculative markets – from California to New York, Austin and Las Vegas – flocking here?

The low cost of living and an economy that relies on healthcare, education and manufacturing offers stability that allows buyers to plan long-term -- unlike tech and tourism-centric cities and housing bubbles.

Summer doesn’t always announce itself with a date on the calendar – especially in Cleveland.

It slips in quietly, through longer evenings and the slow burn of daylight that lingers just a little longer each day — until you look at the sun coming down and realize it’s 9 p.m.

Welcome to Wednesday, when sunset crosses that threshold for the first time this year.

The gray skies are over. Summer is here – with 15 hours and more than 7 minutes of daylight.

The downside is that sunset will increase by only four more minutes and will get shorter on July 4.

Enjoy the views at these five spots on Lake Erie:

Lakewood Park (Solstice Steps): The iconic steps lead right to the water’s edge and offer views of the city and the lake.

Edgewater Park: Check out the beach, pier, and dogs bathing in water.

Voinovich Bicentennial Park: Downtown’s waterfront gem blends urban energy with natural beauty.

Wendy Park / Whiskey Island: The tucked-away outpost offers serene, less crowded vistas.

Euclid Beach Park: This historic spot carries layers of memory and wide lake views.

Let’s hear it for futbol – and the bars that will host parties for a month of madness.

Batuqui: The Brazilian restaurant in Larchmere was packed when it hosted an Egypt-Brazil pregame match. It will show games starting with Saturday’s game vs. Morocco.  

Old Angle: The Ohio City spot is one of the top Premier League soccer bars in America and will be packed with gonzo fans throughout the World Cup.

Merry Arts:  The Lakewood bar is a magnet for Aresnal F.C. fans and will host parties.

Iggy’s: The regular congregating spot of the Cleveland branch of American Outlaws soccer fans will be lure soccer crazies to Lakewood.

Hofbrauhaus Cleveland: The never-ending Oktoberfest bar-restaurant is sure to click a whole lot of steins and serve a special menu when Deutschland takes the pitch.

Tapatias Taqueria: The old-school, West Side Mexican spot rolls out stellar tacos and a colorful soccer-fan experience.

Der Braumeister: German food, German beers – “Let’s Go Deutschland” they will cheer at this West Side bar.

Inn Between: The games are always on the tube at this North Royalton spot locals and Eastern European immigrants.

Parnell's: Both the Playhouse Square and Cleveland Heights will are ground zero for Guiness drinkers with a soccer fetish.

P.J. McIntyre’s: Ireland didn’t quality. No matter, this West Park pub loves its soccer.

CentroVilla25: The market hosts watch party for Spain vs. Saudi Arabia – noon June 21.

Juke Box: The Hingetown spot will show U.S. games on June 12, 19 and 25.

Kan Zaman: The Ohio City bar-restaurant is always buzzing with Middle Eastern cuisine, hookahs and – during World Cup – soccer… Especially when Turkey, Iran and Iraq will be playing.

Schnitz Ale Brewery: Fans of all teams – especially Central and Eastern Europe – will guzzle Yugo European lager over the matches.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Viva Cinema!

Phoenix Theatres in Great Northern Mall is now showing films on 70mm film.

It’s the only theater in the region – and one of a few in the country -- equipped for reel-to-reel 70mm projection.

Once a premium format for epic spectacles in the 1950s–1960s, the movie industry shifted to digital projection in the 2010s for cost and convenience.

Many of cinema’s greatest films were shot or presented in 70mm – from “2001: A Space Odyssey” to “Sound of Music” to more recently “Interstellar” and “The Hateful Eight.”

The last was made by Quentin Tarantino -- one of the most vocal advocates for the format because of its richer visuals.

Phoenix will screen the much-anticipated Christopher Nolan film “The Odyssey” on 70mm.

A 1940s postcard of Edgewater Beach and the skyline.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

87 °F 🌡️ 73 °F | ⛅➡️⛈️ (Few PM Storms) | 40% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 12 mph W (≈ 10 knots)

86 °F 🌡️ 71 °F | ⛅➡️⛈️ (Few Storms) | 30% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 13 mph WSW (≈ 11 knots)

76 °F 🌡️ 66 °F | ⛈️ (Thunderstorms) | 65% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 15 mph W (≈ 13 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Home vs. Yankees, 1:10 PM June 10 (Wednesday)

Home vs. Tigers, 7:10 PM June 12 (Friday)

Home vs. Tigers, 4:10 PM June 13 (Saturday)

Home vs. Tigers, 1:40 PM June 14 (Sunday)

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