The countdown is officially on. Next summer, the largest Fifa World Cup in history kicks off in North America, with a record 48 international teams competing over a mind-boggling 104 games from June 11 until July 19. That’s an average of nearly three matches a day in a glorious month-long feast of football.
For the first time, the World Cup will take place across three nations: the US, Canada, and Mexico, in a total of 16 host cities. As with previous tournaments, the stadiums themselves will temporarily shed any sponsored titles and simply don the name of their home city (so, for example, the Dallas Cowboys’ gargantuan AT&T Stadium becomes “Dallas Stadium” for the World Cup).
European qualification groups begin in March 2025, with tickets to the tournament itself expected to go on sale later in 2025 (prices are yet to be announced); fans can pre-register their interest at the Fifa website.
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Where are the 16 host cities for Fifa World Cup 26?
1. Atlanta
The 75,000-capacity Atlanta Stadium (aka Mercedes-Benz Stadium) is home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and will host eight World Cup matches (five group stage, one R32, one R16 and a semi-final). Opened in 2017, it has a unique pinwheel-style roof that opens and closes like a camera aperture, plus a first-of-its-kind 360-degree overhead halo display.
Atlanta is nicknamed “The City in a Forest” — nearly half of its metro area is covered in trees, with the main neighbourhoods and green spaces linked by multi-use trails like the Atlanta Beltline. Handily, many of A-Town’s most popular attractions are within easy walking distance of the stadium, including the World of Coca-Cola, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and Centennial Olympic Park — Atlanta’s legacy from the 1996 Summer Olympics. A much-heralded new addition, Centennial Yards, is set to open in early 2026, with shops, restaurants, hotels and a three-storey immersive entertainment complex planned as a “centre of gravity” for visiting World Cup fans.
Where to stay
Atlanta is home to the world’s busiest airport and has the hotel capacity to match, with more than 110,000 rooms available. The Midtown and Buckhead neighbourhoods are both good options just a short Uber ride from the footballing action, but the smartest play is the Signia by Hilton Atlanta — an affordable luxury hotel actually overlooking the stadium.
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2. Boston
Boston Stadium (aka Gillette Stadium) is the hallowed American football arena graced by Tom Brady when the then-unstoppable New England Patriots bulldozed their way to six Super Bowl wins. Situated in Foxborough (22 miles south of Boston, with superb public transport links), the stadium has a capacity of 65,000 and will host seven World Cup matches (five group stage, one R32, and a quarter-final). The venue is undergoing a major renovation in advance of 2026, including the addition of America’s biggest jumbotron video screen, at a colossal 22,000 sq ft.
Geographically, historically and architecturally, Boston is the closest major US city to Europe. Its compact downtown area — including the cobblestone charms of Beacon Hill and the buzzy shopping mecca that is Newbury Street — is easily walkable, and centred on America’s oldest and most graceful public park, Boston Common. The capital of New England, Boston is also home to some of the region’s finest restaurants and pubs (don’t miss the Bell in Hand, a cheerful old tavern that creaks in all the right places and serves up some of the city’s best pub grub and live music). Other must-sees include the Freedom Trail (a route linking 16 historically significant sites from the American Revolution) and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Both will feature in America’s 250th birthday celebrations in July 2026, which coincide with the World Cup.
Where to stay
Those with a taste for style on a budget will lovethe Lenox on Exeter Street. It’s a stone’s throw from Boston Common and the elegant boutiques of Newbury Street and is a medley of marble floors, gold fittings and velvet sofas, but surprisingly affordable. It’s also within easy walking distance of Back Bay Station and public transport to the stadium.
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3. Dallas
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the cavernous home of the Dallas Cowboys — the most valuable sports franchise on the planet. Otherwise known as the AT&T Stadium, the 94,000-seater venue looks like a spaceship and has the futuristic gizmos to match, including a retractable roof and air conditioning to fend off the steamy embrace of Texan summer. During the World Cup, Dallas Stadium (in the satellite town of Arlington), will host nine matches — more than any other venue —including five group stage, two R32, one R16 and a semi-final.
Dallas is a city of sun-drenched rooftop bars and boisterous beer gardens — all perfect for football watching. Fans will love Trinity Groves: a hipster-friendly cluster of restaurants and bars hugging a central garden with big screens, while any downtime can be spent exploring an impressive arts scene, headed by the JFK-focused Sixth Floor Museum. Whatever big plans you have for the Big D, don’t miss Pecan Lodge — deemed by many professional meatheads to be the ultimate Texas BBQ joint.
Where to stay
The best boutique hotel in Dallas, the Joule is perfectly placed in the middle of downtown, and walkable from most key attractions. Celebrate the wins at Midnight Rambler, the hotel’s lively basement speakeasy, and heal any big losses (or hangovers) at its sleek subterranean spa. The Joule is a perennial favourite with visiting sports teams, so keep your eyes peeled for players during your stay.
4. Houston
Opened in 2002, the great glass Houston Stadium (aka the NRG Stadium) is one of America’s premier rodeo and bull-riding venues, as well as home to the NFL’s Houston Texans. Six miles from downtown Houston, it’s connected via regular buses and trams, and will host up to 72,000 fans for each of its seven World Cup matches (five group stage, one R32, one R16).
One of the most diverse cities in America, Houston has an incredibly vibrant restaurant scene, serving seemingly every type of international cuisine with lashings of southern charm. Edgy, eccentric Montrose — Houston’s version of Soho — is always a great place to start, while Buffalo Bayou East, the city’s shiny £250 million transformation of its waterfront into a major entertainment hub, is scheduled to open in 2026. If you get a chance, take the short bus ride to Space Center Houston — arguably the best galactic museum on Earth. (The first word spoken on the moon was “Houston”, after all.)
Where to stay
A fun, independent hotel in the Museum District, Hotel ZaZa has a great outdoor pool for cooling off between matches, and is close to a METRORail station that will whisk you straight to Houston Stadium.
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5. Kansas City
Kansas City Stadium — or GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to give its official title — is one of the grandes dames of the NFL, dating back to 1972. Recent years have been kind, with the resident Kansas City Chiefs collecting Super Bowls like Taylor Swift, their most famous fan, collects Grammys. With a capacity of 73,000, it may not be the largest stadium but it is the loudest, with a record 142.2 decibels of crowd noise and a Guinness World Record to prove it. Visiting fans will get the chance to beat that during six World Cup matches in 2026 (four group stage, one R32, one quarter-final).
Straddling the state line between Kansas and Missouri, “KC” is one of the most underrated cities in America. A renowned jazz haven, it’s also a craft beer mecca —something football fans will appreciate at the official Fifa Fan Festival, held in the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Opening in early 2025, the highly anticipated Rock Island Bridge entertainment district over the Kansas River, billed as the world’s first on a bridge — should become another lively match-watching hub.
Where to stay
The sleek Loews Kansas City Hotel is one of downtown’s newest properties, with 800 rooms, a lovely indoor pool and a great rooftop bar. It’s also within easy walking distance of key attractions including the bars of the Power & Light District (another great spot to watch games and mingle with fans) as well as the KC Streetcar, the free downtown tram that’s an easy way to explore the heart of the city.
6. Los Angeles
A spectacular indoor-outdoor arena in the suburb of Inglewood, Los Angeles Stadium is better known as SoFi Stadium. Costing an eye-watering £4 billion, this architectural marvel opened in September 2020 and is home to twoNFL teams: the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams. The 70,000-seater will host eight matches under its state-of-the-art translucent roof, including five group stage games, two R32 and a quarter-final.
The City of Angels is not only preparing for the World Cup — it’s also hosting the Super Bowl in 2027 and the Summer Olympics in 2028. Several plans are afoot, including major improvements at the airport and a much-needed subway expansion for the city. Visiting fans will have access to one of the best beach scenes in the country, with locals favouring the likes of Zuma, Hermosa and Redondo beaches over the obvious tourist traps such as Venice beach. Keep an eye on some headline-grabbing museum openings between now and the World Cup too, with the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art top of the bill.
Where to stay
The stadium is handily positioned near LAX international airport, about ten miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. Keep things simple by holing up on that side of town, at the recently redesigned Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel, which is not far from from the soft sands of Manhattan beach.
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7. Miami
One of the older host venues, Miami Stadium (better known as Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins) benefitted from a £400 million renovation in 2016, bringing it up to speed with the best in the country. This 65,000-seater in the leafy suburb of Miami Gardens has hosted six Super Bowls and will go one better in 2026, with seven World Cup games (four group stage, one R32, one quarter-final and the third-place play-off).
Miami takes the best elements of Sydney, Cape Town and San Francisco and blends them into one art deco-emblazened, Latin-flavoured whole. The ocean is at the heart of everything here (even the city’s name means “big water”), and a collection of fun-sounding fan zones are planned in and around the beachfront. Between matches, golf enthusiasts will have access to an impressive collection of more than 20 public courses, while visiting fans will also be among the first to enjoy the ambitious Reefline — a seven-mile underwater sculpture park designed for snorkellers, on the shoreline of Miami Beach, set to open in 2025.
Where to stay
Stadium Hotel, as the name suggests, is very near the match venue, but far enough away (about a mile) to feel like a relaxed holiday resort. Officially it’s a budget property, but the amenities say otherwise, including private walk-out balconies, a large outdoor pool and an epic mini-golf course.
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8. New York New Jersey
Diplomatically named New York New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup, MetLife Stadium is home to both the New York Jets and New York Giants but actually sits across the river in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 82,500-seat arena is also a major concert venue, hosting the likes of Taylor Swift, the Rolling Stones and Beyoncé. Next summer it will stage the biggest gig of them all — the World Cup final (after five group stage games, one R32 and one R16).
While the stadium is technically in New Jersey, it’s only nine miles west of Manhattan, where most fans will opt to stay. The Big Apple has it all: top-tier entertainment, incredible dining, endless shopping and some of the most famous attractions on the planet, as well as World Cup fan experiences planned throughout the city’s five boroughs. New additions to consider during your visit include the Hip Hop Museum, the Urban Civil Rights Museum and the renovated Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.
Where to stay
When drawing up your New York accommodation plans, the smart tactic is to position yourself within striking distance of Penn Station, for train access to the stadium via NJ Transit. Moxy Hotels offer stellar substance and style at comparatively low prices, with five properties in Manhattan to choose from, and Moxy NYC Times Square the closest to the station.
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9. Philadelphia
Philadelphia Stadium might be best known for its NFL credentials (where it goes by Lincoln Financial Field), but it officially opened with a blockbuster football friendly between Manchester United and Barcelona in August 2003. Operating on 100 per cent clean energy, the 69,000-capacity home of the Philadelphia Eagles home will host six matches during the World Cup (five group stage and one R16).
The City of Brotherly Love has plenty to entertain visiting football fans, from the mandatory sprint up the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to a long and deliciously gooey stack of cheesesteak restaurants to pick from; the best being a toss-up between Geno’s and Pat’s. The most walkable of America’s major cities, Philadelphia is also packed with sports bars, so if you don’t have a ticket to the game, you’ll have ample viewing alternatives, including the city’s oldest continuously operating tavern, McGillin’s, and the official Fifa Fan Festival in East Fairmount Park). Scottish fans may be happy to hear that American Airlines is set to launch a direct flight from Edinburgh in time for the tournament.
Where to stay
The Live! Casino & Hotel is an easy 15-minute stroll from the stadium and gets bonus points for having its own sports bar and steakhouse.
10. San Francisco
The San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (aka Levi’s Stadium) is in Santa Clara, 45 miles from downtown San Francisco. Nevertheless, the 71,000 capacity venue is home to the San Francisco 49ers — and will become a timeless nugget of pub quiz knowledge when it hosts the Super Bowl and the World Cup in 2026. During the latter competition, it will stage six matches — five group stage and one R32.
Word is that the World Cup will be a greater Bay Area event, with official fan festivals and activities taking place across all three major cities: San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. The area has an abundance of places to explore, from gorgeous beaches and hiking trails to picturesque wine country. Obviously Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park and Alcatraz should be on the list of every first-time visitor to San Francisco, but don’t overlook Oakland’s vibrant cocktail scene or San Jose’s embarrassment of shopping and golfing riches either.
Where to stay
San Jose is the closest big city to the stadium, with the two connected via both train and VTA light rail. Put your feet up after the match at the palm-fringed AC Hotel San Jose Downtown, with its modern rooms and indoor and outdoor pools (national team swimwear optional).
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11. Seattle
Unlike many other World Cup venues, Seattle Stadium (or Lumen Field for those not slurping Fifa Kool-Aid in the stands) is pleasingly close to the city centre. Towering over Seattle’s Pioneer Square, the 69,000-seater stadium is built in a horseshoe shape, with an open north end providing spectacular views of the Emerald City skyline. When not mesmerised by sunset-splashed skyscrapers, fans should hopefully be enjoying some dazzling action on the pitch too, during four group stage matches and one each in R32 and R16.
Seattle is renowned for its coffee scene (this is where Starbucks began, after all). Jetlagged fans and javaholics will have their pick of endless specialist coffee shops, as well as the opportunity to attend a three-hour class at the legendary Seattle Barista Academy (it’s worth it for the latte art alone). Other must-sees include Pike Place Market (don’t miss the Pink Door restaurant, a local favourite), the Space Needle and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). Meanwhile, Seattle’s long-awaited Waterfront Park (a 20-minute walk from the stadium) is due to open in summer 2025, promising a promenade of new bars and restaurants, as well as new attractions and harbour cruises.
Where to stay
Most fans will go for the convenience of Pioneer Square or downtown (particularly along 1st Avenue), but slightly north of the main drag there are less obvious options promising more bang for your buck. The pick of the bunch is the riverside Lotte Hotel, Seattle’s self-proclaimed “Sanctuary of Style” with its ethereal on-site spa and award-winning restaurant, Charlotte.
12. Toronto
Toronto Stadium — aka BMO Field — is one of the smallest World Cup venues, but recently expanded its capacity to 45,000 for the tournament. What it lacks in size it makes up for in atmosphere, with steep stands putting the fans right on top of the pitch, creating a cauldron of noise. Located on the banks of Lake Ontario in the city’s Exhibition Place neighbourhood, it will host six matches, including five group stage games and one R32 encounter.
The largest city in Canada, Toronto is also the fourth largest in North America, with a population that recently topped three million. Key sites include the CN Tower (with its gnarly EdgeWalk and revolving restaurant serving fine Canadian cuisine), Kensington Market for fresh local bites, and the cobblestone Distillery District for wetting any non-officiating whistles. Toronto is awash with sporting events during the summer, so between World Cup matches fans can check out everything from elite tennis and horse racing to Major League Baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.
Where to stay
Hotel X Toronto is one of the city’s newest luxury hotels and ticks pretty much every box, from a striking rooftop pool to a lavish garden setting and spectacular lake views. Its pared-back but posh rooms offer decent value, especially as they come with access to its private members’ fitness club. Best of all, it’s only nine minutes’ walk from the stadium.
13. Vancouver
A truly iconic venue, 54,000 capacity BC Place Vancouver has nutmegged the renaming rules and will retain its identity for the World Cup. No stranger to major sporting events, the spectacular waterfront structure hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics, as well as the memorable Women’s World Cup Final in 2015. For the 2026 men’s tournament it will host seven matches (five group stage, one R32, one R16).
Perfectly positioned between the ocean and the mountains, Vancouver is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. While in town for the ultimate sporting event, fans will have the chance to work on their own fitness —from tackling the famous Grouse Grind hill climb (aka “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”) to cycling the magnificent Stanley Park Seawall path, or kayaking the sparkling waters of Jericho Beach. Follow up with a deep dive into Vancouver’s vibrant food and bar scene afterwards (make a beeline for bustling Granville Street).
Where to stay
Perched on a prominent corner in the hip Yaletown neighbourhood, OPUS Vancouver is just steps from the waterfront and a short walk from the stadium. Borrow one of the hotel’s free electric bikes to explore the city, before returning to enjoy its eclectic street-facing bar and in-house Italian restaurant Capo — one of the best in Vancouver (its sourdough pizza is to die for).
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14. Guadalajara
Estadio Guadalajara —usually known as Estadio Akron — is built on raised ground like an old-fashioned fortress, making it one of the tournament’s most eye-catching venues. Located in fashionable Zapopan (a suburb six miles northwest of the city centre) it has a capacity of 48,000 and will host four group-stage games.
Mexico’s cultural capital, Guadalajara is home to mariachi music, charreada (rodeo) and lucha libre wrestling. It’s also an art-lovers’ dream, with a lively medley of museums and galleries to explore, and a parade of larger-than-life festivals throughout the year. The capital of Jalisco, Guadalajara sits at the head of Mexico’s Tequila Trail, offering a lively start or finish to any World Cup itinerary.
Where to stay
Guadalajara’s Centro Historico is full of charming mid-range options, but the star player is the Hotel Morales: a grand, neocolonial marvel with stylish, spacious rooms, comfy beds and an excellent restaurant. Take advantage of the hotel’s shuttle service to and from the airport and request a corner room when you check in — they’re the same price but significantly bigger.
15. Mexico City
A giant of world football, the 83,000-capacity Estadio Azteca will become the first stadium in the world to host its third World Cup next summer, following some epic encounters in 1970 and 1986. The first match of the 2026 tournament (and the official opening ceremony) will take place here on June 11, followed by two more group stage games and one each from R32 and R16.
North America’s most populous city, CDMX (as Mexico City is known to its resident chilangos), is also one of the continent’s oldest, with historic landmarks littering its ancient streets and glamorous plazas, particularly in the Centro Historico.
A bona fide megalopolis, the city consists of 16 delegaciones (boroughs), which are subdivided into around 1,800 colonias (neighbourhoods). That might sound daunting, but the good news is that most of the highlights are handily concentrated in a handful of colonias, namely Condesa, Roma, Polanco, Alameda Central, Coyoacan and San Angel, as well as the awe-inspiring Centro Historico itself.
Where to stay
Look no further than the Andaz Mexico City Condesa. This stellar property has been making serious waves since opening in 2023, thanks to its bold design (inspired by famed Mexican architect Luis Barragan), Tulum-themed rooftop restaurant and prime location in Condesa, the capital’s trendiest enclave. Popular with ballers of every kind, this is already one of the city’s star players.
16. Monterrey
Estadio Monterrey (or Estadio BBVA) is another that isn’t actually in its host city, but 25 minutes’ drive away in neighbouring Guadalupe. Nicknamed “The Steel Giant”, it’s a marvel of modern design, with fans in the northwest corner treated to views of the towering Cerro de la Silla mountain overhead. Opened in 2015, the stadium has a capacity of 53,500 and will host three group-stage games and one R32 clash.
Monterrey translates as “King Mountain” — a nod to the city’s glorious alpine backdrop. Mexico’s undisputed industrial and commercial powerhouse, the city has a strong entrepreneurial ethos and a humming cultural scene, centred on its magnificent main square, the Macroplaza, and the atmospheric Barrio Antiguo quarter. Further east, at the far end of a river walk, is the city’s other major cultural hub, the Parque Fundidora — a former steel and iron foundry that’s now a huge (and hugely popular) urban park.
Where to stay
Like the Mexican national team, Safi Royal Luxury Centro is always capable of an upset —especially if you tell people staying at other luxury properties how much you paid. The bargain rooms pair with other strengths, like a picturesque outdoor pool and excellent service, to make this property one of the tournament’s true dark horses.
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When is the next World Cup?
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026 and runs until July 19, 2026.
Can I still get tickets?
Yes. Tickets are expected to go on sale after the 2025 Club World Cup concludes in July. Fans can register their interest at Fifa.com.
How much do tickets cost?
Ticket prices are yet to be announced but general tickets are expected to start at $30 (around £25), excluding taxes and fees. Prices will vary by match.
What’s the best way to get around?
This depends on where you’ll be watching the match, but all stadiums are in major cities and have great public transport links.
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