Football fever is sweeping across the North East ahead of the World Cup starting on Sunday (November 20).
But it’s set to be a very different competition for fans watching from here in the UK as it is held in the winter for the first time, due to the climate in host-country Qatar.
Read more: The Northern Echo launches 'Voices of the North: World Cup Video Podcast'
The tournament normally sees pub beer gardens and outdoor venues packed out with hopeful fans watching the game, but the weather is likely to put off some spectators this time around.
Fanzones are still popping up across the North East, but many will be covered over to protect those watching games on the big screen from the elements.
These are six of the biggest fanzones across the North East for this year's World Cup.
Where you can watch the World Cup in the North East:
Central Park, Newcastle
Set to be one of the busiest fanzones after being packed out with spectators during the Womens’ Euros earlier this year, Central Park has returned with a new indoor venue outside Newcastle’s Life Centre.
The new ‘indoor arena’ is said to have capacity for 2,000 fans and is kitted out with indoor heaters and three big screens.
Tickets start at £10 each from https://www.fanzonenewcastle.co.uk/ for England games and are free for non-England group-stage matches for all ages.
STACK Seaburn, Sunderland
STACK has teamed up with Budweiser to open a fanzone its Seaburn site in Sunderland.
Games will be shown on the big screen with full commentary for England fixtures. Some tables wil be available to book upstairs at a cost of £10 per person while others will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Children will also be allowed at the venue, as long as they are accompanied by an adult over 25, although for games after 7pm will be asked to leave once the game is finished.
Kevin Walker, Entertainment Director at the Danieli Group which owns STACK, said: “The Budweiser takeover demonstrates another high-profile brand coming to Sunderland to promote their product and engage with customers.
“It’s fantastic news not just for STACK Seaburn but for Sunderland as a whole that we have been able to create this relationship, and we hope it will be THE place in the city for football fans to enjoy the World Cup in fantastic surroundings."
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Rainton Arena, Houghton-le-Spring
As part of its Winter Wonderland programme of events, Rainton Arena in Houghton-le-Spring has announced a World Cup fanzone with free entry, apart from for the final.
Tickets are available to book for England games and the final on December 18, with all other games available on a first-come-first-served basis from https://raintonarena.co.uk/events/fifa-world-cup-final-2022/.
The Northern Echo also understands children are welcome at the venue.
NX Newcastle
The former O2 Academy in Newcastle is being transformed into a 1,500 capacity indoor fanzone.
When announced earlier this year, the venue promised fans a “world-class sound system, the biggest indoor screen in Newcastle, drinks specials, VIP packages, entertainment, and appearances from some of England's football legends.”
Tickets are priced from £12.50 each for England games at https://www.nxnewcastle.com/live-events/ and are only available to those 18 and over.
Secret Garden, Seaton Deleval
Popular during the 2020 Euros last year, Secret Garden in Seaton Deleval, Northumberland is now running as an indoor heated venue, and will be screening every game of the World Cup on it’s 3.5 metre screen.
Indoor tables must be booked online at https://secretgardensd.co.uk/sports/ for £5 per person and outdoor tables with fire pits are available for walk-ins only.
Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle
Home of the Newcastle Eagles basketball team, the Vertu Motors Arena near the Utilita Arena on Scotswood Road is being transformed into the ‘Ultimate England Fanzone’ for the World Cup.
The venue promises the ‘biggest and best’ screens and sound system, pre-match entertainment, special guests, hospitality packages, on-site parking, and has room for 2,800 spectators.
Tickets are available at https://boxoffice.newcastle-eagles.com/fanzone from £15 for adults and £10 for children, and vary in price depending on where in the arena you choose to sit.
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