What's On in Bristol
Wednesday 17 June 2026
Bristol is absolutely crackling with energy on Wednesday 17 June, as World Cup fever grips the city and thousands of fans descend on venues from Stokes Croft to the O2 Academy to roar England on against Croatia. But if football isn't your thing, fear not — there is still room for sharp comedy, raw live music, and a serious late-night electronic adventure before the night is done.
Highlights

Bristol World Cup Fan Park - England vs Croatia! — If you want the full stadium roar without a plane ticket, the O2 Bristol Academy is transforming into a proper fan park for what promises to be one of the most talked-about matches of the tournament. With a big screen, a buzzing crowd, and that electric shared-moment feeling you only get when a whole room holds its breath together, this is the place to be from 7:00pm. Tickets are £10–£20 — a small price for a memory you will be talking about for years.

It'sComingHomeZone: England Vs Croatia (Bristol) — Lakota — one of Bristol's most beloved venues — is throwing open its doors for a fan zone that promises to be louder, wilder, and more fun than your average pub screening. Starting at 6:00pm, it gives you time to settle in, get the drinks flowing, and build the atmosphere before kick-off, all for just £0–£5. Whether England triumph or break your heart, at least you will be doing it in style.

Bristol Comedy Garden: Simon Amstell & Lou Sanders — If 90 minutes of football tension sounds like your idea of a nightmare, head instead to the Bristol Comedy Garden at 7:30pm for a masterclass in making a room full of strangers laugh until it hurts. Simon Amstell's confessional, razor-sharp wit paired with Lou Sanders' gloriously unpredictable energy makes for a double bill that genuinely could not be better matched. Check the website for tickets — but do not leave it too long, because this is the kind of night that sells itself.

Freya — Over at The Croft Bristol, indie-folk artist Freya takes the stage at 7:00pm for what looks set to be an intimate and genuinely moving evening of live music. The Croft is one of those rooms where the sound wraps around you and the distance between performer and audience feels beautifully small, making it perfect for an artist whose music rewards close listening. At £14, it is a proper live music night at a price that still leaves you enough for a pint.

Kick&Play Frequency Live Access 002 — Once the final whistle blows and the city either erupts or licks its wounds, Lost Horizon HQ is ready to channel all that collective energy into something altogether different from 6:00pm. Frequency Live Access 002 is part of Kick&Play's reputation for pushing the boundaries of electronic and club culture in one of Bristol's most creatively daring spaces. Check the website for price and further details, and prepare yourself for a night that will still be going strong long after the match pundits have run out of things to say.
Full listings
| Event | Venue | Time | Price | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Music | |||||
| Freya | The Croft Bristol | 7:00pm | £14 | Tickets | |
| Nightlife | |||||
| Kick&Play Frequency Live Access 002 | Lost Horizon HQ | 6:00pm | Check website | Tickets | |
| World Cup 2026: England vs Croatia [FREE ENTRY] | Clock Factory Bristol | 7:00pm | Check website | Tickets | |
| Bristol World Cup Fan Park - England vs Croatia! | O2 Bristol Academy | 7:00pm | £10–£20 | Tickets | |
| Arts & Theatre | |||||
| Bristol Comedy Garden: Simon Amstell & Lou Sanders | Bristol Comedy Garden | 7:30pm | Check website | Tickets | |
| Sport | |||||
| It'sComingHomeZone: England Vs Croatia (Bristol) | Lakota | 6:00pm | £0–£5 | Tickets | |
| World Cup Fan Zone England v Croatia | Sawmills | 7:00pm | £1–£5 | Tickets | |
| WORLD CUP 2026: ENGLAND V CROATIA | O2 Academy Bristol | 7:00pm | Check website | Tickets | |
| World Cup 2026 England v Croatia | The Full Moon And Attic Bar | 9:00pm | Check website | Tickets | |