World Cup 2026 Host Cities & Venues Guide
Tournament Venues Overview
Host Countries Overview
The 2026 World Cup spans three nations, offering fans an unprecedented variety of venues, cultures, and experiences. From the historic charm of Mexico’s football cathedrals to North America’s modern architectural marvels, each location brings unique character to the world’s greatest tournament.
The majority of matches will be played across America’s diverse landscape, featuring state-of-the-art NFL stadiums and iconic sporting venues:
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New York/New Jersey – MetLife StadiumCapacity: 82,500 | Location: East Rutherford, NJ
Special Features: Host venue for the final, state-of-the-art facilities
City Highlights: Times Square, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, world-class dining
Travel Tips: Use public transit; book accommodation early due to high demand -
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Los Angeles – SoFi StadiumCapacity: 70,240 | Location: Inglewood, CA
Special Features: Revolutionary design, translucent roof, premium technology
City Highlights: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, beaches, entertainment industry
Travel Tips: Rent a car for city exploration; LAX airport nearby -
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Dallas – AT&T StadiumCapacity: 80,000 | Location: Arlington, TX
Special Features: Massive video board, retractable roof, “Jerry World”
City Highlights: Deep Ellum district, BBQ culture, JFK historical sites
Travel Tips: DFW airport hub; explore Texas hospitality and cuisine -
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San Francisco Bay Area – Levi’s StadiumCapacity: 68,500 | Location: Santa Clara, CA
Special Features: Eco-friendly design, Silicon Valley technology integration
City Highlights: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, tech innovation, wine country
Travel Tips: Use BART system; explore both San Francisco and San Jose -
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Miami – Hard Rock StadiumCapacity: 65,326 | Location: Miami Gardens, FL
Special Features: Canopy design for weather protection, tropical setting
City Highlights: South Beach, Art Deco district, vibrant nightlife, Cuban culture
Travel Tips: Peak tourist season; book early, explore diverse neighborhoods -
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Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz StadiumCapacity: 71,000 | Location: Atlanta, GA
Special Features: Unique retractable roof, LEED Platinum certified
City Highlights: Civil rights history, music scene, Southern cuisine
Travel Tips: Hartsfield-Jackson airport; explore rich cultural heritage -
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Seattle – Lumen FieldCapacity: 69,000 | Location: Seattle, WA
Special Features: Partial roof, famous for crowd noise, scenic location
City Highlights: Space Needle, Pike Place Market, coffee culture, waterfront
Travel Tips: Mild summer weather; explore Pacific Northwest beauty -
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Philadelphia – Lincoln Financial FieldCapacity: 69,596 | Location: Philadelphia, PA
Special Features: Historic city backdrop, passionate sports culture
City Highlights: Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, cheesesteaks, rich history
Travel Tips: Walkable city center; immerse in American history -
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Kansas City – Arrowhead StadiumCapacity: 76,416 | Location: Kansas City, MO
Special Features: Renowned for loudest crowd noise, tailgating culture
City Highlights: BBQ capital, jazz heritage, fountains, friendly Midwest culture
Travel Tips: Experience legendary BBQ; explore music and art scene -
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Boston – Gillette StadiumCapacity: 65,878 | Location: Foxborough, MA
Special Features: Championship history, New England charm
City Highlights: Freedom Trail, Harvard, MIT, seafood, colonial history
Travel Tips: Summer perfect for city exploration; rich educational opportunities -
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Houston – NRG StadiumCapacity: 72,220 | Location: Houston, TX
Special Features: Retractable roof, air conditioning for summer comfort
City Highlights: Space Center, diverse food scene, energy capital
Travel Tips: Hot summer climate; enjoy world-class museums and cuisine
Canada’s two host cities represent the nation’s multicultural identity and passionate sports culture:
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Toronto – BMO FieldCapacity: 45,500 (expanding to 50,000) | Location: Toronto, ON
Special Features: Soccer-specific stadium, intimate atmosphere, urban setting
City Highlights: CN Tower, diverse neighborhoods, cultural mosaic, Niagara Falls nearby
Travel Tips: Excellent public transit; explore multicultural dining scene -
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Vancouver – BC PlaceCapacity: 54,500 | Location: Vancouver, BC
Special Features: Retractable roof, stunning mountain backdrop
City Highlights: Stanley Park, mountains, ocean, outdoor activities, film industry
Travel Tips: Perfect summer weather; combine urban and nature experiences
Mexico brings unparalleled football tradition and passion, featuring iconic venues steeped in World Cup history:
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Mexico City – Estadio AztecaCapacity: 87,523 | Location: Mexico City, CDMX
Special Features: Legendary venue, hosted 2 World Cup finals, “Stadium of Stadiums”
City Highlights: Rich Aztec history, vibrant culture, incredible food, art scene
Travel Tips: High altitude (7,350 ft); arrive early to acclimate, explore ancient ruins -
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Guadalajara – Estadio AkronCapacity: 49,850 | Location: Guadalajara, Jalisco
Special Features: Modern design, passionate local football culture
City Highlights: Birthplace of mariachi, tequila region, colonial architecture
Travel Tips: Perfect climate year-round; explore tequila distilleries -
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Monterrey – Estadio BBVACapacity: 53,500 | Location: Monterrey, Nuevo LeΓ³n
Special Features: Ultra-modern venue, stunning mountain views
City Highlights: Business capital, mountain backdrop, modern architecture, cuisine
Travel Tips: Industrial city with natural beauty; explore Cerro de la Silla
π« Stadium Categories & Match Distribution
Large Venues (70,000+): Perfect for group stage and knockout rounds
Medium Venues (50,000-70,000): Ideal atmosphere for group matches
Soccer-Specific: BMO Field offers authentic football atmosphere
Travel Planning Guide
Essential information for fans planning to attend matches across the three host countries:
Transportation Between Cities
- Air Travel: Major airports in all host cities with frequent connections
- Cross-Border: Valid passport required for USA-Canada-Mexico travel
- Domestic US: Extensive flight network connecting all 11 cities
- Ground Transport: Rental cars, buses, and trains available for regional travel
Climate Considerations
- Summer Weather: June-July 2026 will feature varying climates
- Hot Climates: Dallas, Houston, Miami require heat preparation
- Mild Weather: Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto offer comfortable conditions
- Altitude Alert: Mexico City at 7,350 feet requires acclimatization
Unique Venue Experiences
- Estadio Azteca: Walk in the footsteps of PelΓ© and Maradona
- MetLife Stadium: Final venue with world-class amenities
- AT&T Stadium: Architectural marvel with massive video displays
- Lumen Field: Famous “12th Man” crowd noise experience
π Must-Experience Venues
- Historic Significance: Estadio Azteca – three World Cups, legendary moments
- Architectural Marvel: SoFi Stadium – cutting-edge design and technology
- Atmosphere Kings: Arrowhead Stadium – record-breaking noise levels
- Cultural Immersion: Mexico venues offer authentic football passion
City-by-City Fan Zones
Beyond the stadiums, each host city will feature official FIFA Fan Zones and celebrations:
π Expected Fan Zone Locations
New York: Times Square and Central Park areas
Los Angeles: Santa Monica Pier and downtown LA
Mexico City: ZΓ³calo and Chapultepec Park
Toronto: Harbourfront and Nathan Phillips Square
Accommodation Strategy
Booking recommendations for the high-demand tournament period:
- Book Early: Demand will be unprecedented, especially in major cities
- Alternative Cities: Consider nearby cities with train/bus connections
- Package Deals: Official FIFA packages may offer value and convenience
- Local Insights: Research neighborhood character and safety
The 16 host cities for FIFA World Cup 2026 offer an unprecedented diversity of experiences, from the historic grandeur of Estadio Azteca to the technological marvels of America’s newest stadiums. Each venue tells its own story and promises unique memories.
Whether you’re experiencing the passionate atmosphere of Mexican football culture, the professional excellence of American sports venues, or the welcoming spirit of Canadian hospitality, every city offers something special for football fans from around the world.