World Cup watch parties in Sacramento are bringing fans together in lively atmospheres while giving local businesses a much-needed summer boost. At Henry’s Lounge, fans made their allegiances clear. “Norway all the way,” said Amy Sept, who was rooting for Norway. “I’m Swedish-Norwegian, so we’re rooting for my ancestors,” said Josh Clapper, another Norway supporter. “Oh, England all the way, of course England,” said Yasmin Henry, owner of Henry’s Lounge. The energy at these gatherings is unmistakable, with chants and cheers filling the air. One chant, translating to “row” in Norwegian, was heard as fans rallied behind their teams. “Just raise the spirits. Get some morale going, you know, show some support for Norway,” one fan said. At Zocalo in Midtown, the excitement continued with fans using horns reminiscent of those popularized during the World Cup in South Africa. “During the World Cup in South Africa, that’s when they got famous using those,” one attendee said. The competition among fans was evident, with some rooting for their teams while hoping others falter. “My grandpa’s from Norway, so we have that connection, but also… we want England to lose,” said Sept, as boos erupted in the background. The World Cup excitement is also proving to be a financial win for local businesses. “Our servers, our bartenders, our staff are making more money than they have in months,” said Kevin Riddle, manager at Zocalo in Midtown. Henry explained how the World Cup has helped her business during a typically slow season. “It carries us through summer. Usually in summer, all the major sports are off, so July is kind of slow. This helped us all the way through June, all the way to July, and now we’re ready for football around the corner,” she said. Yuri Naftaliev, a fan watching the World Cup, noted the difference in business. “It’s usually not very busy, but now, during the World Cup, if you go to each one, there’s so many people,” he said. Riddle added, “A lot of the games have been on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. It literally triples our sales.” Fans at the watch parties showed their support for various teams, including Switzerland and Argentina. “I’m rooting for Switzerland this game,” one fan said. “Switzerland,” another echoed. “So Argentina all the way,” said another attendee. Henry also shared why her bar decided to host the watch parties. “We’re also an Arsenal bar and so England kind of represents Arsenal. Man City is Norway because of Haaland. So you have a lot of the Arsenal people and that’s why we decided to do it,” she said. Zocalo will host another watch party on the 19th for the World Cup finals, ensuring the excitement continues for fans and businesses alike.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google
World Cup watch parties in Sacramento are bringing fans together in lively atmospheres while giving local businesses a much-needed summer boost.
At Henry’s Lounge, fans made their allegiances clear.
“Norway all the way,” said Amy Sept, who was rooting for Norway.
“I’m Swedish-Norwegian, so we’re rooting for my ancestors,” said Josh Clapper, another Norway supporter.
“Oh, England all the way, of course England,” said Yasmin Henry, owner of Henry’s Lounge.
The energy at these gatherings is unmistakable, with chants and cheers filling the air. One chant, translating to “row” in Norwegian, was heard as fans rallied behind their teams.
“Just raise the spirits. Get some morale going, you know, show some support for Norway,” one fan said.
At Zocalo in Midtown, the excitement continued with fans using horns reminiscent of those popularized during the World Cup in South Africa.
“During the World Cup in South Africa, that’s when they got famous using those,” one attendee said.
The competition among fans was evident, with some rooting for their teams while hoping others falter.
“My grandpa’s from Norway, so we have that connection, but also… we want England to lose,” said Sept, as boos erupted in the background.
The World Cup excitement is also proving to be a financial win for local businesses.
“Our servers, our bartenders, our staff are making more money than they have in months,” said Kevin Riddle, manager at Zocalo in Midtown.
Henry explained how the World Cup has helped her business during a typically slow season.
“It carries us through summer. Usually in summer, all the major sports are off, so July is kind of slow. This helped us all the way through June, all the way to July, and now we’re ready for football around the corner,” she said.
Yuri Naftaliev, a fan watching the World Cup, noted the difference in business.
“It’s usually not very busy, but now, during the World Cup, if you go to each one, there’s so many people,” he said.
Riddle added, “A lot of the games have been on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. It literally triples our sales.”
Fans at the watch parties showed their support for various teams, including Switzerland and Argentina.
“I’m rooting for Switzerland this game,” one fan said.
“Switzerland,” another echoed.
“So Argentina all the way,” said another attendee.
Henry also shared why her bar decided to host the watch parties.
“We’re also an Arsenal bar and so England kind of represents Arsenal. Man City is Norway because of Haaland. So you have a lot of the Arsenal people and that’s why we decided to do it,” she said.
Zocalo will host another watch party on the 19th for the World Cup finals, ensuring the excitement continues for fans and businesses alike.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google