Like it or not you’re going to have to be a football fan for the next six weeks. If you’re one already, then the World Cup in South Africa promises 30 days of pure joy starting on June 11. If you aren’t one, then yes, it’s going to get annoying with football chit-chat in the pantry, OTT Nike ads, bumped-up sports pages and poseurs showing off their newly minted jerseys. But hey, if you can’t beat them, join them. In this special issue we highlight how you can enjoy the Cup at home as well as at major pubs with fellow fans, where you can catch free “live” games, snag fab footy drink deals, stock up on team jerseys and bone up on World Cup trivia. The world’s ready. We’re ready. Are you?

GAME IN

There really is no place like home is there? You might not think so now, but when it’s 4:30am and you need to get two hours of sleep before work, it’s priceless to be a 10-second walk away from your bed. Here’s how you can catch the World Cup from the comforts of your own home.

On Cable
So after all the uncertainly, all the frustration and all the complaining, you’ve decided to fork out your hard earned cash and subscribe to the broadcasts on StarHub Cable TV and MioTV. If you’ve already sorted it out, good on you. If you haven’t already subscribed, bad news; it’s now going to cost you a shade over $94. Loyal StarHub subscribers can get a let-off; if you’ve amassed 1150 rewards points over the years, you can offset $63 from your subscription. The matches kick-off at one of three timings; 7:30pm, 10pm and 2:30am. For StarHub subscribers, you’ll find dedicated World Cup programming on channels 261 to 264. MioTV patrons will find their broadcasts on channels 88 and 89.

Free-to-air
As part of the last-gasp deal, MediaCorp Channel 5 gets to show four important matches; the opening game on Jun 11, the semi-finals on Jul 7-8 and the final on Jul 12. If that’s not enough for you, then it’s time to get resourceful. If you live in an HDB flat, you’ll be able to use a $5 coaxial cable to tap into your block’s antenna. If that doesn’t work, you can invest in a $30 UHF antenna. Malaysia’s RTM1 will be screening 20 matches live and 11 on delay. Indonesia’s RCTI will be showing every single match. This is probably the first time in a generation that you’ll have to literally “tune in” to programming.

Live Online Streams
If sitting in front of your computer for two hours to watch jerky videos is your idea of a good time, then this is probably the best way for you to catch the Cup. You may be walking a tightrope of legality, but hey it’s free! MyP2P (myp2p.eu) is the best source for live streams. They consolidate many of the online streams and you can try your luck with a few of them till you get one that’s smooth. Some streams require you to download media player software like Veetle, TVU or Sopcast, but others work like YouTube videos.

Online Commentary
This is taking things back to the Stone Age, but if your Internet connection is hopeless, and you’ve got other things to do, text commentary works well. What you get basically are live minute-by-minute updates of a match as it happens. If you’re keen on numbers and figures, Soccernet’s (www.soccernet.com) gamecasts offer a meaty chunk of football—they show stats for goals, fouls, corners and graphics of where goals are scored from. If you prefer your commentary with a bit of satirical opinion, you can’t go wrong with The Guardian (www.guardian.co.uk/football); their team of comedians will have you in stitches or at least thinking “WTF.” If you blend the two, you get Football365 (www.football365.com); all the seriousness you crave with some biting and delightful cynicism.

Podcasts
Who ever cared for good-natured, unbiased post-match reviews? Podcasts give us lots of alternative, irreverent looks at football. Wouldn’t you love to hear a presenter say, “Italy are World Champions … Bunch of #$%@!!!?” We would. For the best of England-slanted, “expert” opinions, listen in on the legendary British comic duo David Baddiel and Frank Skinner (www.absoluteradio.co.uk/football/baddiel_and_skinner). If you love hearing fans commenting on their own teams, FootballFanCast (www.footballfancast.com) brings you the excitement, the passion and the sheer lunacy that only football can inspire. For the serious, the Official World Cup website (www.worldcup2010.com) has exclusive interviews with all the movers and shakers that only the big fish can provide.

GAME OUT

If you’ve decided not to bow to “The Machine” and have refused to subscribe to the World Cup package, or if you like to have a bit of atmosphere and classier drinks around you while you watch the matches, there are lots of options for you.

Team Spirit
Tired of drunken bar fights with opposing fans? Find a place where you can show your true colors with others who support the same team.

England fans, head to The Penny Black Victorian London Pub to have a few tepid ales, and belt out “God Save the Queen.” This authentic Victorian tavern on the waterfront comes complete with hearty pub grub.

German football fans know good beer, and Brotzeit (#01-27, 313@somerset, 313 Orchard Rd., 6854-4038) has exclusive beers that only a real aficionado would know about. Feast on pork knuckle with a mountain of sauerkraut, and raise your massive beer mugs if you can.

Italian fans can “make marriage” at café-bar Sapore Italiano which has a thriving following of fans who love its casual atmosphere. Have some authentic Italian cuisine, knock back a couple of Peronis and watch the boys in blue defend their title.

Located in the historic CHIJMES, La Viva Spanish Bar and Tapas couldn’t be more Español if it tried, with its classic Spanish décor, and al fresco dining.

Pub Steals
Men and football are almost inseparable, as are drinking and football. With an increase in alcohol prices, it’s nice to know that there are some places that aren’t rip-off joints.

Brewerkz, the Singaporean craft brew institution, serves up more than a dozen signature beers at more-than-reasonable prices. They are known for their ever-changing promotional drink offers and, just for you soccer fans, the brewery has implemented a 11pm happy hour. For those watching the 10pm games, calm your nerves with a drink during halftime.

You’ll love the Harry’s chain of bars even more once the football is on. The games will be shown live at three of their outlets; Harry’s @ CHIJMES (#B1-06 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St., 6334-9150), Harry’s Boat Quay and Harry’s @ The Straits Bar Terminal 3 (#02-60 Changi Airport Terminal 3, 65 Airport Blvd., 64467049). Enjoy their new ice-cold Harry’s Premium Lager at $6 a half-pint, $10 a pint and $25 a jug. Special World Cup food menus will be available, and their Crazy Hours will go ahead as usual.

Famed for their massive burgers and other All-American treats, Dallas Restaurant & Bar has appetizing offers for hungry fans. For $55++ per person, you’ll get to enjoy a three-course meal inclusive of one drink at Dallas’ second floor dining room.

Non-stop adrenaline charged football action from 7pm-4am with all bottled beers going at $10 each and Heineken pints at $12, let the good people at Azzucar! work you into a tizzy. Enjoy “live” surround-sound World Cup action and groove to Latin soul at halftime.

At Wine Bos (17 Jalan Klapa, 6538-7886) you can get free flow house wines, spirits, beers, soft drinks and a buffet dinner while the games are on. It costs $68 per match or $100 for two matches per person.

Footie Fest

Sixteen matches including the final will be shown on giant screens as part
of the Singapore World Cup Festival 2010 from Jun 26­-Jul 12 at Sentosa. Live bands will keep you rocking between the action. Tickets cost from
$8-68 or $118 for a season pass. For more info visit www.2010fwc.sg.

Cheap Thrills
Keen to experience the communal experience of football on the cheap? Look no further.

Head down to Kopitiam in Lau Pa Sat (18 Raffles Quay, 6220-2138) or any of its other locations to watch the matches in the most Singaporean way possible—along with the majority of Singaporeans, that is, who are comfortable with either a Tiger beer or a Kopi-O on hand here.

If you’re in the Geylang area sniffing out durians and other street chow, then look no further than 25 Food Loft (Lorong 25 Geylang) for World Cup screenings; there are two flat screens here, making this cozy little coffeeshop an intimate, atmospheric place to catch games. What’s more, there’s a Singapore Pools outlet right next to it so you can have a flutter just before taking your seats and tucking into some routine coffeeshop fare.

Also pop down to Broadway Food Centre (#01-05, 100 Tyrwhitt Rd.) at Jalan Besar Stadium  for “live” screenings of games. Here you’ll find a throng of knowledgeable football crowds and fans who’ll drop by post S-League matches.

McDonald’s (www.mcdonalds.com.sg) will also be telecasting games at 34 of its outlets, and for Singapore’s heartlanders, there will be 14 Community Clubs (www.pa.gov.sg) screening matches. For alcohol and peanuts just head to the nearest 7-Eleven (www.7-eleven.com.sg).

Need more?

World Cup essentials

Soccer betting 101

World Cup hits and misses throughout history