Welcome back, everyone.

This week’s Game Plan is a little different.

We have a lot going on, but there are two very clear lanes: World Cup people and car people.

And yes, I understand that the vast majority of you are probably not hardcore soccer fans or classic car people.

Fair. But hear me out.

First, the World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, and for the next few weeks, it is going to be one of those things happening in the background everywhere. Bars, restaurants, patios, group texts, random people suddenly becoming very emotionally invested in a country they have not thought about in years.

Second, car culture is real here. Especially in the valley. You may not personally know the difference between two engines, but I promise there are plenty of people around you who do, and they would be happy to explain it at length.

So I will say this: if neither of those things sounds like your thing, consider this your invitation anyway.

Because both of them are really more about atmosphere than expertise.

You do not need to understand the offside rule to enjoy watching a room full of people lose their minds over a near goal.

And you do not need to know what kind of engine you are looking at to appreciate a beautiful old car, a sunny street, and someone proudly standing next to a thing they have clearly loved for decades.

Sometimes the move is not to be an expert. Sometimes the move is just to show up, be around the energy, and let other people’s enthusiasm do some of the work.

So this week, we have World Cup games, places to watch them, classic car shows, and a few other weekend options for anyone who wants to lean into the niche.

Napa Lowdown trivia of the day:

Since we are talking World Cup this week: which country has won the most men’s World Cups?

A. Germany
B. Argentina
C. Italy
D. Brazil

Answer later in the issue. Let’s get into it.

Sorry all, obliged to have a little World Cup segment here.

And if you have no interest in soccer, or your country is not represented, you can skim this one quickly.

But I will say: there is a very specific joy in cheering for your country, even if you are not normally a soccer, or fútbol, person.

Something deep and weird and very human kicks in when you are suddenly yelling at a television with strangers because someone from your part of the world scored.

So with that said, the World Cup is very much happening this weekend (and the next month), and if you want it to be, it can basically be an all-day affair.

Here is a quick preview of the games:

Friday, June 19

Saturday, June 20

Sunday, June 21

Shout out to you if you’re country is represented!

As for where to watch, Napa Palisades seems like the obvious downtown pick. They have the flags out front, so you know they are leaning in. Also, sports bar. TVs. Beer. Pretty straightforward.

Downtown Joe’s is probably another good bet nearby, especially if you want that indoor-outdoor option and something a little more casual downtown.

Napa Yard is a different kind of option. Not as many TVs, at least the last time I was there, mostly the couple at the bar and the ones under the outdoor pavilion area. But it has much more of a hangout energy, so if you are going with people who are only partially invested in the game, that might actually be the better move.

And then there is The Ruins, which is the more official and probably coolest version of this. They have a listed World Cup watch party, including the USA vs. Australia game on Friday at noon.

So if you want the real crowd energy, start there.

If you want the casual sports bar version, go Palisades.

If you want the “I am here for the game, but also kind of here to hang out” version, try Napa Yard or Downtown Joe’s.

Either way, it is one of those weekends where having a game on somewhere just makes the whole town feel a little more alive.

Details

Ruins Watch Party link: https://www.sfbayareafwc26.com/bay-area-events/watch-party-at-the-napa-ruins

This is a good weekend to know someone who owns a folding chair and has very strong opinions about chrome.

There are a few classic car things happening around the valley, which feels especially right with Father’s Day weekend sitting right there.

Not saying dads are the only people who like classic cars. Just saying the Venn diagram is not exactly shocking.

And honestly, I think these are some of the better local events around here.

I have been to a few of these, and they really do have some of the most local vibes of any events in the valley. I am pretty sure I have run into someone I know at 100% of them, and I am not exactly the biggest extrovert, mind you.

So yes, if one of our goals for being here is the “for locals” part, this is very much in that lane.

First up, there is the Inaugural Valley Run at the Calistoga Fairgrounds on Friday, which is open to all car years and runs into the evening. Then on Saturday, the same group is doing the Father’s Day Car Show at the fairgrounds, focused on pre-1980 cars and trucks.

So that is the more full car-person weekend version: Calistoga, classic cars, a valley run, and a whole Saturday show.

Then on Sunday, Rianda House has its 12th annual Classic Car Show in St. Helena, with classic cars, barbecue, live music, food trucks, beer and wine, and the general Father’s Day energy of people pointing at cars and saying things like, “They do not make them like that anymore.”

And honestly, they are right.

Rianda House also says registration is already sold out, with more than 90 cars registered.

I like this as a weekend category because it is low-pressure and very easy to understand.

You walk around. You look at beautiful old cars. Someone explains an engine to you whether you asked or not. Maybe you get barbecue. Maybe you pretend to understand horsepower. That is a perfectly respectable June weekend plan around here

Details

Inaugural Valley Run

Link: https://www.calistogaca.gov/Events/Fairgrounds-External-Special-Events/Napa-Classic-Car-Show

Father’s Day Car Show at Calistoga Fairgrounds

Link: https://www.napavalley.com/event/fathers-day-car-show-at-calistoga-fairgrounds/

Rianda House 12th Annual Classic Car Show

Link: https://www.sthelena.com/event/rianda-house-12th-annual-classic-car-show/

There you have it.

World Cup games, places to watch them, classic cars, Father’s Day weekend energy, and a reminder that sometimes the best local events are the ones built around someone else’s obsession.

I have to get out of here, so I am not going to find some beautiful way to wrap this up.

I am just going to give you the answer to today’s trivia: D. Brazil.

Brazil has won the men’s World Cup five times, more than any other country.

And as always, if you know of something good happening around town, send it my way.

Especially the weirdly specific stuff.

Have a good weekend, Napa.

Callie