Didn’t get your hands on an Olympic ticket, but still want to enjoy the Games along with other sports fans in London? No problem. Here’s how.
On a giant screen in a park
Five spots in London – Hyde Park, Potters Fields, Victoria Park, Waltham Forest and Woolwich – are running big screens showing the BBC’s coverage of the Games. Hyde Park and Victoria Park will likely be the most popular as they have an array of other attractions on, like live music performances, bungee jumping and have-a-go sports.
Entry is free, so don’t be surprised if it’s a battle to get in. For a small booking fee, though, you can get a ticket that guarantees your entry. Hyde Park is also hosting concerts coinciding with the opening and closing ceremonies. Duran Duran are headlining on July 27 and Blur headline the closing show on August 12. Sadly, these aren’t free – they’ll set you back over £60 after booking fees.
At the Cinema
The Roxy Bar and Screen may be a little rough around the edges, but that doesn’t stop it from being a great place to watch a movie with a bottle of wine on the cheap. It has a history of screening sporting events – Premier League games (EPL Soccer) and Formula 1 races are put on throughout the year – so it’s no surprise they’re showing the Opening Ceremony. Expect plenty of collective ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ interspersed with the sounds of clinking glasses.
Watch the BBC at the BBC
As of writing, we’re not sure if this is set to go ahead or not, but we hope it does. The BBC is planning to screen the games in super hi-vision – the next generation of television technology – at its New Broadcasting House. Why so special? Well the picture quality is said to be 16 times the size of HDTV, and it’s partnered with the latest in surround sound. Which we guess means you get to see every bead of sweat along with the action. Embrace the future, that’s what we say.
Down the pub
When England’s playing a major football match, the nation’s patriotic fans pile into their local boozers to support their team (and, all too often, drown their sorrows after another heartbreaking loss). We won’t pretend much of the Olympics will induce the kind of pub atmosphere during England games in the recent Euros, but if British hopefuls like Jessica Ennis, Mark Cavendish and Rebecca Adlington deliver gold, there’ll surely be something to celebrate! The Famous 3 Kings in Fulham, Bar Kick in Shoreditch, Corney and Barrow near Liverpool Street and The Sports Café near Piccadilly Circus make good places to start.
At a pop-up restaurant
Grab a four-course meal during the opening ceremony at Jimmy’s Supper Club, located near the Olympic Park in Stratford.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Image: Jon Curnow)
