Where to watch World Cup matches on huge LED screens in Costa Rica

Not going to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup? Costa Rica residents not dropping mega-cash to travel to the South American country can enjoy the matches on giant screens and enjoy concerts and other public events taking place in the capital and across the country

Costa Rica’s first game is Saturday at 1 p.m. against Uruguay, and Ticos will have both free and paid options to watch the World Cup opener. Matches also will be broadcast on TV stations 6 and 7 and on Radio Columbia and Radio Monumental. (See times for all group stage matches here).

UPDATE: The National Stadium event has been cancelled.

The National Stadium in La Sabana Park will kick off festivities at  8 a.m. Saturday, and fans can come to the venue to listen to live music, eat and see La Sele take on Uruguay on the stadium’s LED screens. Activities will continue until 5 p.m. (The match should end around 4 p.m.)

Ticket prices range from ₡3,250 – ₡6,000 ($6-11) for the National Stadium event, and can be purchased online at www.laboleteria.co.cr and also in Servimás markets, Grupo Nación locations and Insomnia stores.

Free options also are available. The Costa Rican Football Federation (Fedefut) has organized “La Sele Fan Zones.” These events will be similar to those being held outside every stadium hosting World Cup matches in Brazil.

For the Costa Rica version, they will set up four 40 meter-wide LED screens at Plaza de la Democracia in downtown San José; at Avenida Escazú, southwest of San José; at Juan Santamaría Park in Alajuela; and at Cartago’s Central Park.

Tickets for the Fan Zones are free but spaces are limited. Those interested in attending any of the four locations must request a ticket (one per person) at the website: www.fanzonedelasele.com.

Organizers will broadcast 56 live matches including the three group stage matches for La Sele scheduled for this Saturday (Uruguay), June 20 (Italy) and June 24 (England).

Every fan zone has a food court and will feature entertainment before and after each game including music, contests and more.

Fan Zones will continue up until the World Cup final on July 13.