The Belgian national football team, the Red Devils, will kick off their World Cup debut against Egypt on Monday evening, and thousands are expected to gather around giant screens and local bars in the country. Here, you can watch the game.
With the tournament taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the unusual kick-off times have forced Brussels municipalities to think outside of the box.
The first two of Belgium's three group-stage matches will be played at 21:00 Belgian time; the final group match against New Zealand is scheduled for 05:00 on 27 June.
The largest fan village in Brussels, the Jupiler Fan Village, will be set up in Wolvendaal Park in Uccle, where supporters can watch every Belgian match free of charge on a giant screen.
Food trucks and entertainment are also planned throughout the tournament, with organisers even preparing to welcome early risers for the dawn clash against New Zealand.
Elsewhere in the capital, Evere will host screenings at different locations depending on the fixture. The opening match against Egypt will be shown at the Sint-Vincentius Stadium, while the encounter with Iran will be broadcast at the town hall, according to Bruzz.
Football fans in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe can head to the B.Sports complex, while residents of Watermael-Boitsfort will be able to gather on Place Léopold Wiener.
"We only wanted one large screen for the municipalities of the Montgomery police zone in order not to overburden police services," Woluwe-Saint-Pierre mayor Benoît Cerexhe (Les Engagés) explained to Bruzz.
Not enough money for big screens
Not every municipality has embraced the World Cup atmosphere.
According to Bruzz, Anderlecht, Saint-Gilles, Schaerbeek, and Saint-Josse-ten-Noode have all decided against installing large public screens or introducing special measures for hospitality venues during late-night fixtures.
The decision often comes down to money. According to municipal officials, the cost of broadcasting rights alone can reportedly reach €3,000 per day. Once security, staffing and infrastructure are factored in, the total cost of operating a fan zone for the entire tournament can approach €100,000.
"The reason for not providing a large screen in a square is the high cost," said Jette sports councillor Benoît Gosselin (Les Engagés) to Bruzz.
The Brussels Times have curated a list of other big screens, bars and spots across Brussels where you can watch the game this evening. Whether you want to cheer on the Devils in the middle of the city centre or are looking for a slightly calmer spot, we've got you covered.
