Hanging Out in the Bathhouse Watching Soccer with Six Brand-New VC Firms

@Guo Yunxiao

In the early hours of July 20 (late night on Sunday, July 19), the final day of WAIC, *elsewhere* will host a World Cup final watch party.

First, thanks to our new fund friends: Nebulon Ventures, Creek Stone, Impa Ventures, XIAOXIAO FUND, First Rule Ventures, Magic Find Ventures, AGI House from Silicon Valley, and Xiaohongshu, this year's World Cup broadcaster. They'll join us to watch the final live with everyone.

The event starts at midnight on July 20, 2026. We've chosen a bathhouse in Shanghai as the venue so people can show up decently for work and life on Monday.

This is probably the first event where new funds make a collective appearance.

The first event held in a bathhouse.

The first event that starts in the middle of the night.

Many friends have asked us: why not host something more AI-focused instead of watching soccer together? The reason is simple. Based on our rough count, there are already dozens of side events during WAIC. And for most humans on this planet, the World Cup is at least as important as AI.

As of now, only four teams and four matches remain in this World Cup. Most teams have gone home, most players have gone home, and those left are about to step onto the semifinal pitch.

Since 1930, the World Cup has kept its four-year rhythm, interrupted only during World War II. Around 2021, FIFA explored the feasibility of a biennial World Cup, but the idea never materialized. So for nearly a century, there have been only 23 World Cup finals, 13 teams have reached this stage, and 8 have lifted the trophy.

Winning matters, of course.

But soccer captivates people never merely because of winning. Cruyff said that having your own style is the greatest gift; Blanchflower said that soccer is about glory.

Soccer is fair. It believes in youth but never worships raw talent; it respects veterans but never lingers out of sentiment. Whether it's young talent in full flourish, the spring breeze pitying the fallen flower, or the inevitable rise of new faces replacing old — these are all just stories before the whistle blows. On the pitch, everyone must prove themselves anew.

Some matches decide champions; some make legends. A World Cup final is usually both. This is soccer at its most brutal and most captivating.

We want to witness legend with you.

Before the final, from 00:00 to 03:00, we also have:

First, six newly established funds will introduce themselves.

Next, audience-contributed talks, including but not limited to: what Arsenal can teach us about corporate management, the current state of the soccer gaming market, semi-professional soccer experience from ages 9 to 20, techniques for slacking off while watching early World Cup matches at the office, how to predict match outcomes using the six yao method, and more. Stay tuned.

Then, the debate segment. Nearly 40% of registered attendees selected "want to participate in debate," so we've decided to turn this into a battle royale. We'll invite registrants whose teams made the final to serve as primary debaters, but audience members can jump in anytime (no fighting allowed). So far, the most popular team among registrants is Argentina (39 people), followed by semifinalists France (19), England (13), and Spain (10) in positions 2-4.

Next is the *elsewhere* exclusive game — possibly the simplest one yet. Upon entry, each attendee can choose their team for the match and receive 5 corresponding tokens. Before the match ends, you may dispose of these tokens freely, including but not limited to destroying, gifting, or trading them with others. After the match, everyone's score = Team A tokens × (Team A goals / total goals by both teams) + Team B tokens × (Team B goals / total goals by both teams).

We have a prize ready for the highest scorer.

The exact location will be shared in the event group chat. Due to the special nature of this venue, all participants must register through the signup form. Registration deadline: 23:59 on July 17, 2026.

See you at the final!

Cover image: Umberto Boccioni, *$2*, 1913, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)