An Unprecedented Tournament Across Three Nations
The World Cup 2026 host cities span three countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — making this the most geographically ambitious FIFA World Cup ever staged. Sixteen cities, 16 stadiums, and 104 matches across 39 days from June 11 to July 19, 2026. With a record 48 teams competing for the first time in tournament history, the sheer scale of this event is without parallel. Whether you are planning to travel to a game, follow your team across multiple cities, or simply want to understand where every match is being played, this guide covers everything you need to know about each of the 16 host venues.
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The Full List of World Cup 2026 Host Cities at a Glance
The 16 cities are split across three regions: Mexico hosts 3 cities and 13 matches in the opening phase; Canada hosts 2 cities and 13 matches; the United States hosts 11 cities and 78 matches, including every fixture from the quarterfinals onward. All knockout-stage matches from the last eight through to the final are played on US soil.
| Country | City | Stadium (FIFA Name) | Capacity | Key Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico City | Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium) | ~87,500 | Opening Match (June 11) |
| Mexico | Guadalajara | Estadio Akron (Guadalajara Stadium) | ~49,850 | Group Stage |
| Mexico | Monterrey | Estadio BBVA (Monterrey Stadium) | ~53,500 | Group Stage + Round of 32 |
| Canada | Toronto | BMO Field (Toronto Stadium) | ~45,000 | Canada Opener (June 12) |
| Canada | Vancouver | BC Place (Vancouver Stadium) | ~54,000 | Round of 16 |
| USA | New York / New Jersey | MetLife Stadium (NY NJ Stadium) | ~82,500 | Final (July 19) |
| USA | Dallas | AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium) | ~94,000 | Semifinal (July 14) — most matches (9) |
| USA | Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium) | ~75,000 | Semifinal (July 15) |
| USA | Miami | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium) | ~65,000 | Third-Place Match (July 18) |
| USA | Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium) | ~70,000 | Quarterfinal |
| USA | Houston | NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium) | ~72,000 | Group Stage + Knockouts |
| USA | Seattle | Lumen Field (Seattle Stadium) | ~69,000 | Group Stage + Knockouts |
| USA | Kansas City | Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Stadium) | ~76,000 | Quarterfinal (July 11) |
| USA | Boston / Foxborough | Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium) | ~65,000 | Quarterfinal |
| USA | Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium) | ~69,000 | Group Stage + Knockouts |
| USA | San Francisco Bay Area | Levi's Stadium (San Francisco Stadium) | ~68,500 | Group Stage |
Note: FIFA uses neutral city-based names for most venues during the tournament to avoid commercial sponsor conflicts. Estadio Azteca/Banorte will be known as Mexico City Stadium, AT&T Stadium as Dallas Stadium, and so on. Only BC Place retains its everyday name.
Mexico: Three Cities, Historic Ground
Mexico City — Estadio Azteca
The tournament opens on June 11, 2026, at the legendary Estadio Azteca, where Mexico face South Africa in Group A. This makes Estadio Azteca the first stadium in history to host World Cup matches at three separate tournaments — it also staged matches in 1970 and 1986, hosting the final in both editions — and the first ever to host three World Cup opening matches. Opened in 1966, the ground underwent a 22-month renovation that concluded in March 2026, lifting capacity to approximately 87,500. The renovation also added a 250-speaker sound system, new media boxes, and a hybrid pitch. When the tournament ends, Mexico City Stadium will have staged 24 World Cup matches in total across its three tournaments — more than any stadium in history. The venue hosts six matches in 2026, including a Round of 32 fixture on June 30. For fans, Mexico City is a world-class cultural destination: the historic centre (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Teotihuacan pyramids, and one of the world's finest food scenes are all on the doorstep.
Guadalajara — Estadio Akron
Guadalajara Stadium hosts four group-stage matches, including Mexico's second game of the tournament. Estadio Akron (FIFA name: Guadalajara Stadium) has an official seating capacity of approximately 49,850, though the World Cup operational configuration accommodates around 48,000 fans. The stadium is located in the Zapopan municipality, northwest of the city centre, inside a distinctive outer shell designed to resemble a volcano rising from the ground — large sections of the exterior are covered in grass rather than steel or concrete, giving it an organic appearance unlike any other venue at the tournament. Guadalajara itself is regarded as the heartland of mariachi music and tequila — both deeply linked to Mexico's cultural identity — and the city's historic centro and the town of Tequila make for compelling day trips between matches.
Monterrey — Estadio BBVA
Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA) holds approximately 53,500 supporters and is widely regarded as one of the most visually striking venues in the Americas. Its location at the foot of the Cerro de la Silla mountain means that the natural landscape forms a dramatic backdrop visible from much of the stadium. The venue hosts group-stage fixtures and Round of 32 matches. The city of Monterrey is Mexico's industrial and business capital, with a vibrant nightlife scene and the Barrio Antiguo historic district a short distance from the stadium.
Canada: A First-Ever Home World Cup
Toronto — BMO Field
Canada plays its first-ever home World Cup match at BMO Field on June 12, 2026, against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The stadium — home to Toronto FC of MLS — is the smallest of the 16 venues at approximately 45,000 seats, and it received a CAD $157.9 million renovation to meet FIFA standards. Known as Toronto Stadium during the tournament, it hosts six matches including a Round of 32 fixture on July 2. Toronto itself offers one of North America's most diverse urban experiences: the CN Tower, Kensington Market, the St. Lawrence Market food hall, and world-class restaurants from dozens of cuisines are all easily accessible.
Vancouver — BC Place
BC Place in Vancouver holds approximately 54,000 supporters and features a retractable cable-supported roof — the largest of its kind in the world. Vancouver Stadium hosts Canada's group-stage matches as well as a Round of 16 fixture, making it one of the more significant Canadian venues in the knockout bracket. Vancouver's appeal as a destination is considerable: Stanley Park, the waterfront, and easy access to mountains for hiking and cycling make it exceptional for fans combining football with outdoor activities. A dedicated Vancouver FanFest is planned at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds throughout the tournament.
United States: Eleven Cities, Every Big Match
The USA hosts 78 of the tournament's 104 matches, and all knockout fixtures from the quarterfinals onward are played at American venues. The 11 US cities are grouped into three geographic zones: Western (Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle), Central (Houston, Dallas, Kansas City), and Eastern (Atlanta, Miami, Boston/Foxborough, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey). For a full breakdown of the schedule by venue, see our World Cup 2026 schedule guide.
New York / New Jersey — MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, hosts the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026. With a capacity of approximately 82,500, it will be the stage for the biggest single sporting event of the decade. FIFA calls it New York New Jersey Stadium throughout the tournament. Accessing the ground from Manhattan is straightforward via NJ Transit, making the stadium more connected to the city's tourism infrastructure than its New Jersey location might suggest. The surrounding area of New York City needs little introduction as a destination.
Dallas — AT&T Stadium
AT&T Stadium in Arlington hosts more matches than any other venue at the 2026 World Cup — nine in total, including a semifinal on July 14. With a capacity of approximately 94,000, it is also the largest stadium at the tournament. The ground is already familiar with major events, having hosted Super Bowls and CONCACAF Gold Cup finals. Dallas itself offers a strong arts district, excellent barbecue, and easy connections to Fort Worth for fans spending multiple days in the region.
Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts the second semifinal on July 15 and is one of the architectural highlights of the entire tournament. Its eight-panel retractable roof — inspired by the oculus of the Roman Pantheon — opens in around eight minutes. The circular 360-degree LED Halo Board, measuring 61,900 square feet, is the largest video screen in professional sports. The stadium holds 75,000 for the World Cup and hosts eight matches in total. Atlanta's Beltline trail, music scene, and food culture — including some of the best Southern cooking in the country — give fans plenty to explore around match days.
Miami — Hard Rock Stadium
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium, capacity ~65,000) hosts the third-place match on July 18 as well as several high-profile group-stage clashes. Miami is expected to draw an enormous fan festival audience — estimates suggest as many as 815,000 visitors attending FIFA Fan Festival events in the city across the tournament. With large Latin American communities, South Beach, and a world-renowned nightlife scene, Miami is one of the most culturally fitting host cities for a tournament with strong South American and Caribbean representation.
Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood holds approximately 70,000 fans and is one of the most architecturally innovative venues at the tournament. Its fixed translucent ETFE canopy sits over an open-sided bowl, creating an indoor-outdoor feel two miles from Los Angeles International Airport. The stadium hosts a quarterfinal and serves as a venue for high-profile group-stage matches. Los Angeles's cultural depth — Hollywood, museums, beaches, world-class restaurants — makes it one of the most appealing cities for international fans to extend a stay.
Houston — NRG Stadium
NRG Stadium (capacity ~72,000) features a retractable roof and is one of the more climate-controlled venues in the tournament given Houston's summer heat and humidity. The venue hosts seven matches including knockout fixtures. Houston's food scene — encompassing Tex-Mex, Vietnamese cuisine, Gulf Coast seafood, and some of the country's finest barbecue — is arguably unmatched among the host cities. Space Center Houston is the city's signature attraction for fans with extra time.
Seattle — Lumen Field
Lumen Field (capacity ~69,000) offers views of the downtown Seattle skyline and is already a proven venue for international football, having hosted CONCACAF Gold Cup matches and a Champions League group-stage game. Seattle has a strong soccer pub culture — George and Dragon Pub and similar spots have long served as gathering points for international supporters. Pike Place Market, the waterfront, and easy access to Puget Sound ferries add to Seattle's appeal for traveling fans.
Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium holds the Guinness World Record as the loudest outdoor stadium in the world — hitting 142.2 decibels during a 2014 NFL game, a level comparable to standing beside a jet engine. That makes it one of the most atmospherically distinctive venues at the 2026 World Cup. With a capacity of approximately 76,000, it hosts group-stage matches and a quarterfinal on July 11. The 2026 World Cup will be one of the last major events at the current venue: the Kansas City Chiefs have announced plans for a new $3 billion domed stadium in Wyandotte County, targeting a 2031 opening.
Boston / Foxborough — Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts (approximately 30 miles south of Boston) hosts group-stage matches and a quarterfinal. The venue holds approximately 65,000 for the tournament and is home to the New England Revolution MLS side, meaning it has existing football infrastructure in place. Boston itself is one of the most walkable and historically rich US cities, with strong ties to European football culture among its large Irish and Portuguese communities.
Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field (capacity ~69,000) hosts group-stage matches and knockout fixtures, including a notable match that falls on July 4 — US Independence Day. That scheduling detail makes Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, one of the more symbolically interesting venues on the calendar. The city's Reading Terminal Market, South Street, and world-famous cheesesteaks give visiting fans an authentic Philadelphia experience.
San Francisco Bay Area — Levi's Stadium
Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara holds approximately 68,500 fans and is known for its eco-friendly design, solar panels, and advanced Wi-Fi infrastructure. It hosts group-stage fixtures. San Francisco proper — accessible from Santa Clara by Caltrain — offers one of the country's most concentrated combinations of cultural attractions, iconic neighborhoods, and world-class food, from dim sum in the Richmond District to sourdough at the Ferry Building.
Tournament Key Dates and Match Assignment Overview
Understanding which cities host which stages helps fans plan travel itineraries more effectively. All group-stage play runs from June 11 to June 27, followed by the brand-new Round of 32 (introduced for the first time at this expanded 48-team tournament) beginning June 28. The Round of 16 starts July 4. The quarterfinals take place in early July at Dallas, Kansas City, Boston, and Los Angeles. Both semifinals are in Dallas (July 14) and Atlanta (July 15). Miami hosts the third-place match on July 18, and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosts the Final on July 19, 2026. For more detail on which teams play where, see the World Cup 2026 groups overview and our full stadiums and venues deep-dive.
Fan Zones, Travel, and What to Expect
Every host city will operate official FIFA Fan Festivals with free large-screen match screenings, food vendors, entertainment, and fan activities. These are particularly important for the millions of supporters who will attend the tournament without match tickets. Miami alone expects around 815,000 attendees at its fan festival across the tournament. Vancouver is building a new amphitheater at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds specifically for the FanFest programming.
Travel between host cities will be high-demand throughout June and July. Domestic flights within the US should be booked well in advance, particularly around match days at Dallas, New York/New Jersey, and Los Angeles. Amtrak recommends booking rail travel early for the summer period. Moving between countries — US, Canada, Mexico — requires appropriate documentation: an ESTA or US visa for non-VWP nationals, an eTA for Canada, and relevant digital entry forms for Mexico. Approximately 1.2 million international visitors are expected to enter the United States for the tournament.
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