Duke game watching in London?

[ArtVandelay]

Is there anybody out there currently living in London that can provide pointers on how to watch the games this weekend? I unfortunately will be traveling there with the family. Do they show U.S. college basketball games either on TV or in pubs? Also, the Saturday game will start at something like 11 pm in London, and the NC game would start at something like 3 am. Do they air the games live or do they play them on delay? Any guidance as to where and when to watch Duke games would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Henderson]

Is there anybody out there currently living in London that can provide pointers on how to watch the games this weekend? I unfortunately will be traveling there with the family. Do they show U.S. college basketball games either on TV or in pubs? Also, the Saturday game will start at something like 11 pm in London, and the NC game would start at something like 3 am. Do they air the games live or do they play them on delay? Any guidance as to where and when to watch Duke games would be appreciated. Thanks!

You might want to inquire of the Duke Alumni Office. I get regular emails from them pointing out places where Duke people are getting together for games. So this seems to be something they are encouraging, suggesting they are keeping track. Maybe not internationally, but you could ask. Alumni services like that are part of their mission.

[flyingdutchdevil]

...so I'll give my two cents. Good news: game is at 11pm. Bad news: viewing options are limited.

Bodean's is a BBQ chain that will often show games. The one in Soho is the best.

Sports Bar & Grill is a new chain that may show games.

Both of these places close down earlier than expected (it's London, not a US metropolis or any other major city)

Your best bet may be using VPN to connect through to CBS.com and streaming it.

[Bluedog]

I went to the Sports Cafe near Piccadilly Circus when I was there to watch the whole MLB playoffs (back in 2005...). They showed tons of US sporting events and were open until 4am on the weekend (2am during the week), but looks like they've closed! Bummer. It was actually a pretty terrible bar filled with Americans, but at least they showed all the games (saw JJ's dismantling of Texas in the #1 vs. #2 showdown there...). I'd recommend asking places if they have ESPN America (formerly NASN -- North American Sports Network). I'm sure there's something in London.

[flyingdutchdevil]

I went to the Sports Cafe near Piccadilly Circus when I was there to watch the whole MLB playoffs (back in 2005...). They showed tons of US sporting events and were open until 4am on the weekend (2am during the week), but looks like they've closed! Bummer. I'd recommend asking places if they have ESPN America (formerly NASN -- North American Sports Network). I'm sure there's something in London.

Sports Cafe was a dump. Kinda happy it's closed. It's been replaced by "Sports Bar & Grill", which are all over London. Better food, ambiance, and sports. But not as shady so they can't illegally show American sports.

[Hoosier-Devil]

I live in Scotland. Here in the U.K., the NCAA Tournament is broadcast on ESPN (which buys the rights from CBS, TNT, et al.). ESPN, in turn, is operated in the U.K. by BT Sport. Generally, a person or a business/bar/pub/hotel buys a cable sports package for BT Sport, and with it they get ESPN thrown in.

So, any pub or bar that shows sporting events should have BT Sport. Accordingly, they should have access to ESPN, as well.

The Final Four will be shown live in the U.K. The national semifinal games will be broadcast starting at 11:00 pm (local time). It is quite possible that ESPN will also show at least one replay of the games the next day, perhaps in slightly edited form; it tends to do that with a lot of college basketball programming.

You might also check with the Duke alumni leadership in the U.K., which you can find here: http://dukealumni.com/london/local-leadership. Perhaps they'll have some watch parties in London.

[cptnflash]

I currently live in London - been here about 2 years now. Some of the games are on TV on our fake UK version of ESPN, which is really a catch-all name for a channel that just rebroadcasts feeds from various US sports networks. So for example, last night our game was on UK's ESPN, even though it was obviously a CBS broadcast (we had the Nance/Raftery/Hill team, same as you). My guess is that the FF and NC games will be on, given the time of day and the lack of conflict with more traditional British sports (like soccer, darts, rugby, cricket, F1 racing, or any of the other weird stuff they show here).

But as a backup for when the games aren't on our fake ESPN, I also have an online subscription for ESPN Player on my PC, which is basically the equivalent of WatchESPN in the US - except that we have to pay for it, on top of a regular cable TV subscription. And on top of our annual TV license fee. And our 50% marginal tax rate. Thanks Queen Elizabeth!

As far as sports bars, the one people usually use is the Sports Bar & Grill. I have no idea if they're going to stay open late for the FF/NC, but you can probably call and ask. Contact info is in this link.

http://www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk/locations/

If none of that works and you're totally stuck, you're welcome to come to my place to watch - I'll be here. Send me a private message if it comes to that.

Be forewarned, though - I've been wearing the same Duke shirt the entire tournament. We haven't lost yet, so I haven't washed it. Not gonna change it up now.

[TimDevilD]

Is there anybody out there currently living in London that can provide pointers on how to watch the games this weekend? I unfortunately will be traveling there with the family. Do they show U.S. college basketball games either on TV or in pubs? Also, the Saturday game will start at something like 11 pm in London, and the NC game would start at something like 3 am. Do they air the games live or do they play them on delay? Any guidance as to where and when to watch Duke games would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi: I am T'84 (from NC) and have lived in London for 15 years. First of all you & your family will love London....it is an incredible city and Easter weekend is a great time to visit. Best Bar to watch the games (and it is open 24 hours) is the Hippodrome Casino which has a special sports area and has been showing all the games (http://www.hippodromecasino.com/) it is right in the heart of the city (just off Leicester Square) and will probably be very busy with fans for the games on Saturday evening. If we win on Saturday night, most fans will watch the game on ESPN America at home (Sky Channel 417) since it starts at 02:20am BST. We also have a big Duke Club in London and you can find us on our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/47555552269/?ref=br_tf. Enjoy London and Let's Go Duke!