Watch Live Football??

Question

Hi there - we're Val & Joe from Liverpool and currently scheduled to stay in Waycross on Thursday night. Liverpool FC are playing Villa Real in the Europa League semi final that day and it's been suggested to me on TA that we may be better staying in Valdosta instead of Waycross to be able to watch the game (we're travelling to to St Augustine after that).

Does anyone know of a Sports Bar in Valdosta where we would be able to watch the match? I think it will be showing live in UK at 8pm so possibly 3pm in US? We could cancel Waycross and stay overnight in Valdosta instead.

Many Thanks for any advice

Kind Regards - Val

Answer

Hi Val & Joe, welcome to South Georgia! You’ll find Valdosta a much better option than Waycross if your priority is watching a live European football match. Valdosta is larger, has more sports-focused venues, and generally offers more flexibility with satellite sports packages—especially mid-afternoon games like your Europa League semi-final.

Your estimated kickoff time sounds right: an 8pm UK start would place the match at about 3pm Eastern Time. That’s early for the typical American sports bar “rush,” but in Valdosta there are several places that open earlier in the day and show a wide range of sports, including international football.

Here are some sports-bar style options in Valdosta that are likely to have the match or be willing to put it on for you if they get the channel:

Beef 'O' Brady’s (various locations) – This chain often shows Premier League and European football when available. They open for lunch, have lots of screens, and staff are usually happy to switch a TV to a specific match if they receive the broadcast.
Smok’n Pig BBQ + Bar Area – Not a dedicated sports bar, but they have a bar section with TVs and can sometimes switch to sports channels on request. Good option if you want a local Southern BBQ experience along with the match.
Buffalo Wild Wings – A very dependable sports-bar chain with dozens of screens, usually carrying a wide range of international sports. They frequently receive channels that show UEFA and Europa League matches. This would likely be your safest bet.
The Salty Snapper – Primarily a seafood restaurant, but has a bar area with screens. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere and good food while watching, this is worth checking.

Because European football isn’t always guaranteed on American channels, it’s a good idea to ring ahead the morning of the match to confirm that the bar has the channel (often through Paramount+, CBS Sports, or specialty sports packages). Most places are very accommodating if you ask nicely!

If the ability to watch the match is important to you—and it sounds like it is—then staying overnight in Valdosta instead of Waycross is definitely the more practical choice. You’ll have a better shot at securing a venue that can show the match, plus Valdosta is an easy onward drive to St. Augustine the next day.

Hope you both have a great trip and that Liverpool put on a show for you. Enjoy Georgia and safe travels to Florida!