Let’s be honest. Winston-Salem has always known it was special. The arts, the food scene, the neighborhoods, the people. But this summer? The rest of the world is finally catching on.
Right now, in our backyard, one of the most storied soccer programs on the planet, Team Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, has set up camp right here in the Triad. The German men’s national team chose Winston-Salem as their official Team Base Camp for the FIFA World Cup 2026, staying at The Graylyn Estate and training at Wake Forest University. Not New York. Not Los Angeles. Winston-Salem.
Why Winston-Salem? Because We’re Just That Good.
Germany selected The Graylyn Estate for its national prominence as a premier boutique hotel and its secluded, historic 55-acre setting, offering the privacy, focus, and comfort required at the highest level of international competition. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann said it himself: this place has the same energy as their home base in Germany. That’s not a small compliment. That’s a world-class stamp of approval on a city we’ve called home all along.
The Manor House at Graylyn, originally built in the 1920s for Bowman Gray, president of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, has been dedicated to restoration and team meetings, while the players are staying in the Mews, a set of rooms arranged around a European-style courtyard. History meeting the present. Very Winston-Salem of us.
The World Cup Is Officially Here: Go Be Part of It
The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11th through July 19th, and local breweries, venues, and restaurants across the Triad are hosting watch parties throughout the tournament. This is your moment to gather with your neighbors, wave a flag, and feel the electric energy of the world’s biggest sporting event…without ever leaving the city you love.
Several Winston-Salem spots are showing all matches and hosting special watch parties with local business collaborations, giveaways, drink specials, raffles, and even specialty food dishes when Latin American countries are playing. Wear your jersey. Win something. Eat well.
Special Offers in Winston-Salem
- World Cup Food Tour at Que Viva!
- World Cup Watch Parties, German Beer & NC BBQ at Little Ricard’s BBQ
- Kimpton Summer Soccer Specials at Kimpton Cardinal Hotel
- Small Batch World Cup Viewing Parties at Small Batch Beer Co.
- German & Austrian Guided Wine Tasting at Little Pep (June 14th from 4:00-5:30 pm)
- World Cup Wednesday at Kaleideum (June 17th from 2:00-4:30 pm)
Watch Parties
- Roar
- Foothills Brewpub
- Wise Man Brewing & Coffee Bar
- Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Company
- Kimpton Cardinal Hotel
- Radar Brewing Company
“Hosting the German Men’s National Team is a big opportunity for the city of Winston-Salem to showcase our renowned hospitality, vibrant city, and first-class facilities.”
Stephanie Pace Brown, Visit Winston-Salem President and CEO
We don’t need a World Cup to validate what we already know. We just love that the world is finally getting to see it too. International journalists, visiting fans, and Team Germany’s families are all walking our streets, eating at our restaurants, and experiencing everything that makes this city worth writing about every single week.