As a lifelong soccer enthusiast and sports analyst, I've always believed that nothing compares to the electric atmosphere of international soccer matches. This year brings an especially thrilling lineup of global tournaments and friendlies that promise to deliver unforgettable moments. While researching the sports calendar, I came across something fascinating - the NBA's upcoming multi-day basketball and entertainment festival, which includes the 15th BWB Asia Camp and culminates in the league's first Rising Stars Invitational. This got me thinking about how international soccer creates similar excitement through its own unique blend of competition and cultural exchange.

The World Cup qualifiers this year feature some absolutely mouth-watering fixtures that I've been tracking closely. Personally, I'm particularly excited about the European qualifiers where traditional powerhouses like France and Germany face emerging teams. The South American qualifiers always deliver drama, and this year's Brazil versus Argentina match is scheduled for November 15th at Maracanã Stadium - a fixture that historically produces an average of 3.2 goals per game. What makes these international games so special is how they bring together players from different club backgrounds, much like how the NBA's Rising Stars Invitational will showcase talent from various basketball programs.

International friendlies often get criticized, but I find they offer unique insights into team development. This March, we'll see Spain take on Italy in what promises to be a tactical masterclass. Having attended similar matches before, I can attest that the atmosphere in these friendlies often feels more experimental and free-flowing compared to high-stakes tournament games. The upcoming UEFA Nations League finals in June also deserve attention, featuring what I believe will be Portugal's strongest squad since their 2016 Euro victory.

What really sets international soccer apart is how it captures global attention in ways that transcend the sport itself. The African Cup of Nations, scheduled for January 2024, typically draws over 800 million viewers worldwide. I've noticed that these tournaments create cultural moments that extend far beyond the pitch, similar to how the NBA's multi-day festival aims to blend sports with entertainment. The Asian Cup, happening simultaneously, showcases the rapid development of soccer in regions that traditional powerhouses often overlook.

Looking at the women's game, the upcoming SheBelieves Cup and Olympic qualifiers demonstrate how international soccer continues to evolve. The US Women's National Team has dominated recent years with an impressive 85% win rate in international competitions since 2019. As someone who's followed women's soccer for over a decade, I'm thrilled to see how the quality and visibility of these matches have improved. The technical level now rivals what we see in many men's competitions, though the physicality differs significantly.

The beauty of international soccer lies in its unpredictability. While we can analyze stats and form, there's always that magical element of national pride that transforms games. I remember watching Iceland's incredible Euro 2016 run and realizing how international tournaments can make heroes out of unknown players. This year's CONCACAF Nations League might not get the same attention as European competitions, but it often produces the most passionate and unpredictable matches. The Jamaica versus Mexico fixture in particular has become one of my must-watch games each year.

As we look ahead to the rest of the year, international soccer continues to offer that unique blend of raw emotion and world-class skill that club competitions sometimes lack. The World Cup qualifiers alone will feature approximately 872 matches across all confederations, creating countless stories and moments that will live forever in soccer history. While other sports like basketball are creating innovative events like the NBA's festival, soccer's international calendar remains the gold standard for global sporting excitement. For any true fan of the beautiful game, these international fixtures provide the perfect opportunity to witness history in the making and connect with the global soccer community in ways that domestic leagues simply can't match.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.