By Ben Fractenberg
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
EAST VILLAGE — New York is gearing up for the biggest sporting event in the world.
The World Cup starts next Friday when South Africa takes on Mexico at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Around the city, tons of bars and restaurants are televising the matches, so you can be sure to root for your home team with other fans.
“We’re for everyone,” said George Fajardo, who bartends at Nevada Smith’s on First Avenue, where they plan to broadcast every game. “Next Saturday is going to be insane, with the U.S. versus England — it’s the biggest game so far.”
Patrons were already glued to the television as Smith’s broadcast pre-tournament games on Friday.
“You get to see the best players in the world compete against each other,” said Upper West Side resident Gregory House, 22, who was watching games at the bar with a buddy. “It only happens once every four years.
The World Cup runs for a month between June and July 11 in South Africa.
Check out the full schedule at FIFA.com.