Where to Watch Football in Marrakech (Champions League, Premier League)

Marrakech is a football city. The locals are serious about it — Wydad AC and Raja Casablanca derbies stop the city, and Champions League knockout nights fill every café with people who know the game. Finding the right spot to watch depends on whether you want the full expat sports bar experience, a local café atmosphere, or somewhere in between. I've watched hundreds of matches across the city's venues and I know exactly where to go for what.

What is the best sports bar to watch football in Marrakech?

Grand Café de la Poste (Gueliz) — Boulevard El Mansour Eddahbi. The most reliable football venue in the city for expats and tourists. Large screens (4 of them), good seating capacity, a full international menu, and a crowd that's roughly half local professionals and half international visitors. They screen Champions League, Premier League, La Liga, and international matches. The beer (Casablanca beer, 45-55 MAD for a 50cl) is the best deal on drinks. Arrive 30-45 minutes early for Champions League knockouts — it fills completely. WiFi is available but the password changes weekly (ask the waiter).

Kechmara (Gueliz) — 61 Rue de la Liberté. Not primarily a sports bar but they put up screens for major matches — Champions League semi-finals and finals, World Cup qualifiers, big Premier League fixtures. The first floor is the best position for the screens. Their cocktail menu is significantly better than Grand Café for pre-match drinks. Call ahead to confirm they're screening: +212 524 422 532.

O'Mulligan's Irish Pub (Hivernage) — Near Hotel Es Saadi. The only dedicated Irish pub in Marrakech. Three screens, genuine Irish pub atmosphere, Guinness on tap (85 MAD per pint), and a commitment to screening Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League with no exceptions. Smaller capacity than Grand Café, so arrive early for the big ones. A mixed expat/tourist/local crowd that's genuinely knowledgeable about the game. The Sunday early kickoffs (Manchester United at 13h30 Marrakech time) make this a popular brunch venue for PL followers.

Where do locals watch football in Marrakech?

The authentic football experience in Marrakech happens in the neighbourhood cafés. Every quartier has several — the ones with four plastic chairs pulled up facing a wall-mounted TV and 30 men crowded around them for a Champions League game. This is the real thing.

Café Argana (Jemaa el-Fna) — The rebuilt Argana has screens on the upper floor and a position overlooking the square that's hard to beat. Moroccan café prices — mint tea at 8 MAD, café noir at 10 MAD. For evening matches this is one of the best spots in the city if you want a mix of local atmosphere and reasonable comfort.

Cat Bar (Médina) — Off Rue Riad Zitoun el-Kedim. A Medina institution with a deliberately low-key, local-focused vibe. Small screens but a passionate crowd that genuinely cares about the match. Best for mid-week Champions League games when you want to be in a room with people who understand every decision the referee makes. Prices: soft drinks at 15 MAD, café at 8 MAD. No alcohol — pure football atmosphere.

Café-Restaurant Atlas (Gueliz) — Boulevard Mohammed V. One of the neighborhood institution cafés with reliable screens and a serious local crowd. Morocco national team matches here are as authentic a football experience as you'll find in the country — when Morocco scored in the 2022 World Cup, the sound from this café could be heard half a kilometre away.

What should I know about watching football in Marrakech?

Time zones: Morocco is on GMT+1 year-round (no daylight saving since 2018, except during Ramadan). This means English kickoffs at 7:45 PM arrive at 8:45 PM Marrakech time, and 3 PM kickoffs land at 4 PM local. Champions League matches at 9 PM CET arrive at 9 PM in Marrakech during the winter (same time) and 10 PM in summer (Morocco stays on GMT+1 while Europe moves forward).

During Ramadan: most cafés are closed during daylight hours but open dramatically after Iftar (sunset). Some of the best match atmospheres I've experienced were during Ramadan evenings when the energy in the cafés — post-Iftar, 10 PM kickoff — was extraordinary.

For Champions League and major Premier League fixtures, booking a table at Grand Café de la Poste or Kechmara is possible for groups of 4+ — worth doing for knockout rounds when every seat fills.

For the nightlife scene around major sporting events, see the Marrakech nightlife guide and the bars listings.