The Backyard Stadium: How To DIY an Outdoor Theater for the World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, and homeowners from California to New York are planning epic watch parties.

If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere warm, you might be thinking about throwing together an outdoor theater to watch some of the 48 games. 

Outdoor living has become more popular than ever, and elevating your yard now with an epic outdoor viewing space will give you the opportunity to use it for years to come. 

Plus, if you rent out your property on a short-term basis (or plan to do so in the future), a backyard theater could serve as a unique amenity that helps attract more guests.

What it takes to bring an outdoor theater to life

The ideal outdoor theater setup is all about comfort, visibility, and atmosphere. Follow these steps to create one yourself:

Choose the right location

Find an open part of your backyard with a large, flat area. 

“It should face away from the sun so you get fewer shadows when watching games at night,” says George Zheng, founder and CEO of Edensign in Boston.

In addition, make sure it has enough room for seating and is far from large trees or other large structures that could obstruct views of the screen.

Install the screen

An inflatable screen that’s about 120 inches is the way to go. 

Zheng recommends one from EliteScreens or Open Air Cinema, as these options are affordable and take only 20 minutes to get up and running.

Once you inflate the screen, place it on level ground. Then, secure it securely with tie-downs or stakes so that it doesn’t shift in the wind. Use the manufacturer’s instructions to guide you.

Set up the projector or TV

When it comes to projectors for a backyard stadium, Zheng is a big fan of the Anker Nebula Capsule or Anker Nebula Mars II Pro. They’re both portable, powerful, and easy to set up.

“Keystone correction can help if you’re struggling to align the projector with the screen and see a distorted image,” adds Zheng.

Also, if you plan on watching matches during the day, you might want to create a three-sided black box shroud with blackout fabric or tarps to put over your projection screen.

“The shroud will prevent unwanted side lighting, increase your contrast ratio, and make afternoon games look twice as good,” Bowmen explains.

If your backyard receives a lot of direct sunlight, a high-end indoor 4K LED TV on a heavy-duty rolling cart may be a better option than a projector.

“Take the 4K LED TV out to a covered patio or under a pop-up canopy tent. TVs have much brighter displays than projectors and will fare much better in the intense sunshine,” says Mike Bowmen, furniture designer and outdoor living expert at Harmonia Living in San Diego.

Get the sound going

Place some quality speakers on both sides of the screen. If you have a larger yard, a subwoofer can be worthwhile to improve the sound experience. 

Zheng suggests the JBL Xtreme 3 if you prefer a budget solution. For a pricier, but clearer-sounding, option, he likes the Sonos Move 2 or a Polk Audio Atrium.

Angle the speakers toward the seating area and test the volume to figure out what works best for your yard and preferences. 

Stagger comfortable setting 

Place seats in a staggered seating configuration—just like stadiums do. This way, everyone will have a clear line of sight.

In the front row close to the screen, you can set up beach chairs, cushioned seats, or even bean bags. Regular outdoor chairs or couch seats are optimal for the middle row, while raised seats like stools are perfect for the back row.

Don’t forget to ensure the seats are spaced properly as people will likely be getting up and moving around during the games.

Add the finishing touches

Now, you can really get creative! Use soft lighting like string lights, pathway lights, or lanterns around the outdoor edges. Put up team flags. Set up a dedicated table for snacks and drinks. The sky is truly the limit.

How to waterproof your outdoor theater

Even though the World Cup is in the summer, the weather can still be unpredictable, making waterproofing essential. 

To protect your outdoor theater from moisture, place your electronic devices in an outdoor enclosure like a water-resistant storage box or lockable outdoor cabinet. 

“Even so-called water-resistant devices don’t like getting wet,” says Zheng.

Also, don’t forget to use anchoring ropes and stakes to anchor all inflatable surfaces securely.

“You can even place sandbags at the bottom of screens and projectors for extra weight,” explains Zheng.

In addition, use outdoor-rated extension cords and choose water-resistant outdoor speakers with an IPX5 rating.

“JBL and Polk brands offer great weatherproofing options,” Zheng adds.