The Ultimate Guide to Watching Live Sport in New South Wales

Whether you’re tracking the Matildas through the Asian Cup, settling in for Origin night, or just catching the weekend footy, there’s something special about finding your spot… cold beer in hand, mates around you, and screens showing every crucial moment.

We’ve found five NSW venues that understand what makes a great sports-watching experience. Each brings something different to the table, from tropical coastal vibes to harbourside sophistication, from craft beer havens to historic pubs with heart.

Right on the stunning Tweed Coast in the beachside village of Salt, Salt Bar proves you don’t need to be in the city to experience world-class sports viewing. This family-friendly coastal pub delivers that perfect combination of relaxed beach atmosphere and serious sports credentials.

Giant plasma screens throughout the Sports Bar ensure you won’t miss a second of the action, broadcasting all major sporting codes, racing, and trackside events live and loud. What makes Salt Bar genuinely special is how it caters to everyone—from die-hard sports fans to families wanting a day out. The epic playground keeps kids entertained while the complimentary coffee, tea, and soft drinks in selected bar areas (just ask the friendly staff) show they’re thinking about the whole crew. Want to get more involved? Join their social golf club, racing club, or footy tipping competition. Add in the extensive craft beer selection from local and international breweries, seasonal pub classics, and those stunning coastal views through expansive windows, and you’ve got the Tweed Coast’s go-to destination for major sporting events.

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An icon since opening during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Cargo Bar has been Darling Harbour’s ultimate party destination for over two decades. This two-level harbourside venue channels sleek NYC waterfront vibes and transforms seamlessly from sunny lunch spot to late-night party central—and now it’s become a serious sports venue too.

Screens throughout the venue show all the major sporting action—NRL running weekly, AFL, Rugby, Cricket, NBA, and NFL—making it easy to catch your team while enjoying those killer Darling Harbour views. The Palm Springs-inspired beer garden is the perfect place for pre-game drinks or half-time stretches, featuring lush greenery, colourful furniture, and 150-person capacity for big match days. The street-food-style menu is designed for eating with a drink in hand.

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Perfectly positioned on King Street Wharf overlooking Darling Harbour, Henley’s delivers two levels of waterfront views, perfect pours, fresh cocktails, and comprehensive sports coverage. This casual venue has earned its reputation as the wharf’s go-to spot for catching the game.

AFL and NRL run weekly throughout the season, with big sporting events broadcast throughout the year on screens across both levels. What sets Henley’s apart is the combination of location and versatility—the ground floor features easy access from King St Wharf with direct connection to the beer garden (surrounded by Tahitian lime plants with views of yachts and ferries), while upstairs offers that elevated harbourside experience. The menu from Executive Chef Jason Roberson features delicious handheld snacks, share plates, burgers, and salad bowls designed to pair perfectly with the impressive beer and cocktail selection. The venue has multiple functional spaces with indoor and outdoor covered areas, making it ideal whether you’re watching with two mates or twenty. Being steps from the ferries and surrounded by the energy of Darling Harbour, Henley’s nails that relaxed-yet-vibrant atmosphere that makes every match feel like an occasion.

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Set in the iconic Locomotive Workshop of the historic South Eveleigh precinct, BrewDog South Everleigh brings Scottish craft beer culture to Sydney in the most spectacular way and it’s become a genuine sports-watching destination.

Big screens rotate through all your favourite sporting action—from footy to cricket and everything in between—ensuring you never miss the crucial moments. What makes BrewDog truly special is the combination of world-class craft beer and that unique industrial heritage setting. The bar has been designed around the original workshop machinery still on display, creating an immersive experience you won’t find anywhere else. Forty brews on tap include BrewDog’s carbon-negative and sustainably made beers from their solar-powered Murarrie brewery, session-strength pale ales, imperial stouts, sours, plus ‘BrewDog & Friends’ guest tap takeovers and collaborations with local breweries. With weekly specials, live music, DJ sessions, and a genuinely dog-friendly policy (it’s in the name), BrewDog proves that craft beer culture and serious sports viewing are the perfect pairing.

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A big part of Albury’s history, Beer Deluxe represents everything fun and passionate about a proper local. Located right in the heart of Albury CBD, this venue has become the border town’s undisputed home of entertainment, good times, and cold beers.

Known and loved by locals for the ever-changing lineup of live entertainment, huge screens broadcasting all major sporting events, and home to the best beer garden in town, Beer Deluxe is everything you need in a pub. The venue hosts over 150 beers from across Australia and beyond in the fridges and across 24 rotating taps, ensuring there’s always something new to try. World-class musical acts, epic beer food, and tap takeovers throughout the year keep things fresh and exciting. The communal beer garden accommodates large groups for big match days, while the venue’s dance floor comes alive for after-9pm entertainment. Beer Deluxe has mastered the art of being the perfect recipe for an epic sports-watching session and night out combined.

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From Kingscliff’s beaches to Sydney’s harbourside, from Albury’s heart to inner-city industrial cool, The Pass connects you with NSW’s best sports-watching experiences. Order straight to your table, earn rewards with every visit, and keep your eyes on the screen instead of the bar queue.

Game day is calling. Whether it’s the Matildas taking on the continent’s best, State of Origin, the Grand Final, or the Sunday arvo clash that matters to you—these five venues understand that watching sport is about more than just the game. It’s about the atmosphere, the company, and those moments that become stories you’ll tell for years. Download The Pass and make every match unforgettable.