Looking for a sports bar in Rome, Italy “near me”? Rome’s sports bar scene brings together local passion and global fandom. Whether you’re cheering for AS Roma or Lazio, or an NFL, Premier League, NBA, or Six Nations rugby addict, the Eternal City has pubs and bars that cater to every kind of sports enthusiast. This Rome sports bar guide highlights where to watch live sports —plus food and drinks recommendations that will make your game night unforgettable!
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Rome’s Sports Culture: From Gladiators to Game Nights
Rome’s passion for sport runs deep—etched into its ancient stones and echoed in its modern stadiums.
From the thunderous chariot races at the Circus Maximus to the brutal spectacle of gladiators in the Colosseum, athletics in ancient Rome were more than entertainment—they were a reflection of civic pride, imperial power, and cultural identity.
Public games, often sponsored by emperors, served as tools of political favor and social cohesion, while everyday Romans engaged in swimming, wrestling, ball games, and horseback riding across the Campus Martius and local bathhouses.
“In Rome, sport was not simply entertainment,” says Nigel B. Crowther, Sport in Ancient Times. “[I]t was a mirror of civic identity, military discipline, and the values that bound the empire together.”
Fast-forward to today, and Rome remains a city where sport is woven into the fabric of daily life.
Locals jog through historic parks like Villa Borghese, cycle along the Appian Way, and join amateur clubs for tennis, basketball, fencing, and even rowing on the Tiber.
The city’s circoli sportivi (sports complexes) offer everything from yoga and martial arts to climbing and padel, while weekend warriors flock to public courts and gyms scattered across the capital.
At the professional level, Rome is home to two of Italy’s most storied football clubs—AS Roma and SS Lazio—whose rivalry, the Derby della Capitale, electrifies the city and fills the Stadio Olimpico with chants and color.
Rome also hosts international tennis tournaments at the Foro Italico, elite rugby matches, and even the final stage of the Giro d’Italia. Whether it’s Serie A football, NBA playoffs, or Six Nations rugby, Rome’s sports fans are as diverse as the city itself.
And for those looking to catch the action with a pint in hand, the Eternal City offers a vibrant network of sports bars—where locals and expats alike gather to cheer, debate, and celebrate.
From English pubs screening Premier League matches to American-style hangouts showing NFL Sundays, these venues are where Rome’s ancient love of spectacle meets modern fandom.
Where to Watch Live Sports in Rome: Top Bars and Pubs
Whether you’re cheering for AS Roma, tuning in for Premier League drama, or following your hometown NFL team from abroad, Rome’s sports bar scene offers a lively mix of venues where international fans and locals come together for game-day excitement.
From cozy British pubs and rooftop bars to burger joints with projectors and themed trivia nights, this guide to the best sports bars in Rome is more than a list. It features information on the overall vibe, which sports are featured, how many TVs there are, an overview of the menu, recommended dishes – and more!
Heads-up for game night: Some bars may be booked for private events, may require reservations during popular matches, or may broadcast games without audio.
Unfortunately, a few venues may also have changed ownership or closed since publishing. We recommend checking the bar’s website or Facebook page before heading out—just to avoid striking out before the game has begun.
Abbey Theatre Irish Pub – Centro Storico
Via del Governo Vecchio 51/52/53 Rome, Italy
Just steps from Piazza Navona, this atmospheric Irish pub is one of the top sports bars in Rome for football, rugby, and American sports. With cozy rooms and stage props from Dublin’s original Abbey Theatre, it’s a favorite for expats and travelers looking to watch the game with a pint of Guinness.
SPORTS FOCUS: Football (Serie A, Premier League, Champions League), rugby, NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball TVS: 16 screens across multiple rooms ENTERTAINMENT: Live Irish music weekly, karaoke nights SPECIALS: Daytime happy hour MENU OVERVIEW: Irish, Italian, and international cuisine RECOMMENDED DISHES: Irish stew, fish and chips FACEBOOK
Angeli Rock – Ostiense / San Paolo
Via Ostiense 193 B/C/D-195 Rome, Italy
Spread across four levels—including a rooftop terrace—Angeli Rock is one of the best sports bars in Rome for football and international sports in a lively, club-style setting. Popular with locals and Erasmus students, it offers karaoke, themed nights, and a full kitchen.
SPORTS FOCUS: Football (Serie A, Champions League), NFL, NBA, and other international sports (via Sky & DAZN) TVS: Multiple large screens and maxiscreens indoors and outdoors ENTERTAINMENT: Karaoke, quiz nights, live music, rooftop events SPECIALS: Aperitivo, brunch, rooftop cocktails MENU OVERVIEW: Burgers, Roman pinsa, pasta, American-style appetizers RECOMMENDED DISHES: Buffalo wings, pinsa romana, onion rings FACEBOOK
Bar Sporting – Pietralata
Piazza Amilcare Zamorani 10 Rome, Italy
A laid-back local favorite, Bar Sporting is where to watch live sports in Rome without the tourist crowds. It’s a casual spot with loyal regulars and reliable coverage of Italian football.
SPORTS FOCUS: Serie A, Champions League TVS: Multiple screens SPECIALS: Affordable drinks MENU OVERVIEW: Bar snacks and drinks FACEBOOK
La Botticella – Centro Storico
Vicolo del Leopardo 39 Rome, Italy
Tucked away in the cobbled streets of Trastevere, La Botticella is an expat favorite—especially for North American travelers. With walls covered in sports memorabilia and a welcoming vibe, it’s the kind of spot where NFL Sundays feel like home away from home.
Sports Focus: Football (Serie A, Champions League), NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA TVs: 3 large screens Entertainment: None listed Specials: Local craft beers on rotation Menu Overview: Bar snacks only—mainly focused on drinks Recommended Dishes: N/A (beverages are the draw)
Caffe Washington – Prati
Via Vittoria Colonna 30 Rome, Italy
A sleek café-bar hybrid near Piazza Cavour, Caffe Washington is one of the best sports bars in Rome Italy for watching football in a more upscale setting. SPORTS FOCUS: Football (Serie A, Champions League), occasional international events TVS: 2 large screens SPECIALS: Aperitivo combos MENU OVERVIEW: Italian café fare—panini, pastries, cocktails RECOMMENDED DISHES: Caprese sandwich, tiramisu FACEBOOK
Devil’s Chair – San Lorenzo
Via dei Volsci 126B Rome, Italy
A rock-themed pub with a younger crowd, Devil’s Chair is one of the top sports bars in Rome for alternative vibes and American sports on request.
SPORTS FOCUS: Football, rugby, NFL and NBA (on request) TVS: 2 screens ENTERTAINMENT: Rock/metal playlists, occasional live DJs SPECIALS: Happy hour from 6–9 PM MENU OVERVIEW: Burgers, nachos, wings, bar snacks RECOMMENDED DISHES: Spicy chicken wings, cheeseburger
Finnegan Irish Pub – Monti
Via Leonina 66 Rome, Italy
The only Irish-owned pub in Rome, Finnegan’s is one of the best sports bars in Rome for watching Premier League, Six Nations rugby, and GAA.
SPORTS FOCUS: English & Scottish Premier League, 6 Nations Rugby, GAA, F1, NFL TVS: 3 screens, 3 channels ENTERTAINMENT: Darts, pool, trivia nights SPECIALS: None listed MENU OVERVIEW: Limited—mainly crisps and nuts FACEBOOK
Highlander Pub – Centro Storico
Vicolo di San Biagio 9 Rome, Italy
A Scottish pub near Piazza Venezia, Highlander is one of the top sports bars in Rome for American sports. They can broadcast up to 6 games at once, including NFL, NCAA, NBA, NHL, and MLB. SPORTS FOCUS: Football, rugby, NFL, NCAA, NBA, NHL, MLB (upon request) TVS: 6 screens, multi-channel setup ENTERTAINMENT: Trivia nights, karaoke, themed parties SPECIALS: Beer buckets, game-day promos MENU OVERVIEW: Pub classics with a Scottish twist RECOMMENDED DISHES: Haggis balls, loaded nachos FACEBOOK
Miami Pub – Termini / Castro Pretorio
Via Nazionale 250 Rome, Italy
Open until 2 AM, Miami Pub is one of the best sports bars in Rome for late-night games, especially U.S. sports. SPORTS FOCUS: Serie A, Champions League, U.S. sports TVS: Multiple screens SPECIALS: Late-night drink deals MENU OVERVIEW: Bar & grill fare RECOMMENDED DISHES: Burgers, fries FACEBOOK
Nag’s Head Scottish Pub – Centro Storico
Via IV Novembre 138B Rome, Italy
Nag’s Head Scottish Pub is located in Rome’s Centro Storico district, on Via IV Novembre 138B, near Piazza Venezia and the Altare della Patria. Its central location makes it a go-to for locals and visitors alike looking to catch a match in a relaxed, wood-paneled pub atmosphere.
SPORTS FOCUS: Premier League, Champions League, Serie A, NFL, NBA ) TVS: soccer games in pay-per-view ENTERTAINMENT: up-and-coming performers and established musicians, and some of the best DJs in Rome SPECIALS: Weekly beer offers MENU OVERVIEW: an extensive Italian menu, creative hamburgers and sandwiches, and your favorite sports bar classics RECOMMENDED DISHES: McGregor salad and Scottish Roller Stuffed Flatbread FACEBOOK
Scholars Lounge Irish Pub – Centro Storico
Via del Plebiscito 101B Rome, Italy
Arguably Rome’s most famous Irish pub, Scholars Lounge is vast, lively, and custom-built for sports fans. With dozens of screens and a reputation for wall-to-wall NFL Sundays, it also shows NBA, MLB, NHL, and NCAA games regularly—often with sound. A hub for American expats and travelers, especially during big match weekends.
Sports Focus: Football, rugby, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA (both football and basketball) TVs: Over 10 HD screens, multiple channels Entertainment: Live music, karaoke, quiz nights, late-night dancing Specials: Game-day beer buckets, Irish whiskey flights Menu Overview: Burgers, wraps, wings, classic bar fare Recommended Dishes: Buffalo wings, BBQ ribs
Shamrock Pub – San Giovanni
Via del Colosseo 1C Rome, Italy
Just a short stroll from the Colosseum, Shamrock Pub blends Irish pub charm with a Roman backdrop. It’s a laid-back, no-frills spot that draws a mix of locals, tourists, and international students. While football is the main draw, they’re known to show American sports when requested—especially during major events.
Sports Focus: Football (Serie A, Premier League, Champions League), NFL, NBA, MLB (on request) TVs: 2 large screens Entertainment: Occasional live music and themed nights Specials: Daily happy hour from 6–8 PM Menu Overview: Pub fare with Italian and Irish influences Recommended Dishes: Guinness beef burger, loaded fries FACEBOOK
Trinity College Pub – Centro Storico
Via del Collegio Romano 6 Rome, Italy
A lively Irish pub just off Via del Corso, Trinity College Pub is one of the best sports bars in Rome Italy for students, travelers, and sports fans alike. With multiple screens and a packed calendar of live sports, it’s where to watch everything from Serie A and Premier League to NFL, NCAA, and F1.
SPORTS FOCUS: Football (Serie A, Premier League, Champions League), rugby, NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA, F1, tennis TVS: Multiple screens throughout the venue ENTERTAINMENT: DJ sets, karaoke, themed parties SPECIALS: Game-day drink deals, late-night promos MENU OVERVIEW: International pub menu—burgers, pasta, wings RECOMMENDED DISHES: BBQ ribs, Trinity burger FACEBOOK
Where to Stay: A Stylish Base for Sports Fans
Even if you’re in Rome on business – or a taking a Roman holiday – as a sports fan, you might prefer to stay at a hotel popular with other sports fans. And we’ve got just the spot!
H10 Palazzo Galla – Centro Storico
Via Quattro Novembre 102 Rome, Italy
Located just a short walk from the Roman Forum and Piazza Venezia, H10 Palazzo Galla blends upscale comfort with a relaxed vibe that appeals to sports fans visiting Rome looking to unwindy.
While not a traditional sports bar, its chic lobby bar and rooftop terrace are popular gathering spots for sports fans catching up on highlights or discussing the latest game over cocktails.
The hotel’s central location also puts it within easy reach of several top sports bars in Rome Italy, making it a convenient base for fans.
SPORTS FAN APPEAL: Elegant bar spaces ideal for pre- or post-game drinks; close proximity to Scholars Lounge, Trinity College Pub, and Highlander Pub AMENITIES: Rooftop terrace with city views, gym, covered parking ROOM FEATURES: Smart TVs, minibars, landmark-view terraces in upgraded rooms RECOMMENDED FOR: Traveling sports fans seeking a stylish stay near Rome’s best sports bars. FACEBOOK
Final Thoughts: Sports Bars in Rome Worth Cheering For
Whether you’re a diehard AS Roma fan, a Premier League devotee, or an NFL enthusiast just passing through, Rome offers a surprisingly diverse sports bar scene ready to match your energy.
From lively Irish pubs to late-night American hangouts, these sports bars in Rome Italy are where international fandom meets local flavor.
Whether you’re searching for where to watch live sports in Rome or planning the perfect game night, our curated list showcases the best venues to catch football, NBA, rugby, and much more.
With cozy screens in Trastevere, rooftop cocktails in Ostiense, or Guinness-pouring gems in Centro Storico, Rome’s sports bars deliver something for everyone—whether you’re rooting for Lazio, chasing the NCAA Final Four, or simply looking for the best bar food in the Eternal City.
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Let’s build community through travel – one game at a time!
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