The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and for the first time it is shared by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With 48 teams playing 104 matches across 16 cities, the US carries the heaviest load, with 11 host cities staging 78 of those matches, including every fixture from the quarterfinals onward. This guide unpacks the 2026 world cup cities map for traveling fans.

The 2026 World Cup Cities Map at a Glance

The 11 US host cities fall into three loose regions. On the West Coast you have Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area (at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara), and Seattle. The central cluster covers Dallas (Arlington), Houston, and Kansas City. The eastern arc takes in Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia, Boston (Foxborough), and New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford). FIFA rules require commercial branding to be stripped during the tournament, so SoFi Stadium becomes "Los Angeles Stadium," Mercedes-Benz Stadium becomes "Atlanta Stadium," and MetLife Stadium becomes "New York New Jersey Stadium."

Los Angeles

LA hosts eight matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the indoor-outdoor venue that opened in 2020. It has a standard seating capacity of 70,240, reduced to 69,650 for World Cup play after field-level seats were removed to meet FIFA pitch dimensions.

Los Angeles World Cup Schedule

The Los Angeles World Cup schedule kicks off in style with the US Men's National Team opener against Paraguay on June 12, 2026. Group-stage play continues with Iran vs. New Zealand on June 15, Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 18, Belgium vs. Iran on June 21, and Türkiye vs. USA on June 25. The stadium then hosts two Round of 32 matches (June 28 and July 2) before a quarterfinal on July 10.

Where to Stay in LA

LA is sprawling, so neighborhood choice matters more than the specific property. Inglewood and the surrounding Hollywood Park district sit closest to the stadium and have seen a wave of new openings that is walkable to the venue. Westchester and El Segundo, near LAX, offer business-class chains and a short rideshare to kickoff. For a more vacation-feel base, Santa Monica gives you the beach and a direct E Line light rail link toward downtown, while Culver City has become the city's most balanced base, sitting between the coast, downtown, and Inglewood. Among the top hotel options in world cup host cities 2026, LA delivers the widest range: branded luxury towers downtown, design-led boutiques in Hollywood and West Hollywood, all-suite properties near the airport, and a deep vacation-rental market that often beats hotel rates for groups

Things to Do Between Matches

Plan around clusters. A Hollywood day pairs the Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre with sunset at Griffith Observatory. Spend a Westside day on the Santa Monica Pier, the Venice Boardwalk, and the Getty Center. Downtown rewards a third day with The Broad, Grand Central Market, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Across the region, ten official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zones have been confirmed by the Host Committee in May 2026 and including Venice Beach and Whittier Narrows.

Atlanta

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the 75,000-seat retractable-roof venue that opened in 2017, hosts eight matches, including a semifinal on July 15, 2026.

Schedule and World Cup Atlanta 2026 Tickets

Group-stage fixtures land on June 15 (Spain vs. Cabo Verde), June 18 (South Africa vs. a European playoff winner), June 21 (Spain vs. Saudi Arabia), June 24 (Morocco vs. Haiti), and June 27 (Uzbekistan vs. a playoff winner). A Round of 32 game follows on July 1, a Round of 16 on July 7, then the semifinal.

For World Cup Atlanta 2026 tickets, FIFA.com/tickets is the only official sales channel. As of May 2026, the Last-Minute Sales Phase is live on a first-come, first-served basis, and the official Resale/Exchange Marketplace is open at the same URL "until one hour prior to each respective match's kick-off," according to FIFA. Hospitality packages, which bundle premium seats with food and entertainment, are sold through On Location at FIFA.com/hospitality. Avoid unofficial resellers; tickets are mobile only via the FIFA World Cup 2026 app.

Where to Stay in Atlanta

Downtown is the most practical base, especially the Centennial Olympic Park area, which is walkable to the stadium, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Centennial Park itself will be the city's official FIFA Fan Festival site, marking 30 years since the 1996 Olympics. Midtown sits about two miles north on the MARTA rail line and trades convenience for a denser dining, arts, and nightlife scene around Piedmont Park. Castleberry Hill, just south of the stadium, is a smaller historic-loft district with a local feel. Buckhead, further north, offers polished retail and resort-style hotels for those who do not mind a longer MARTA ride.

Things to Do Around the City

The Atlanta BeltLine's 2.25-mile Eastside Trail, the only completed segment of the planned 22-mile loop, links Piedmont Park to Ponce City Market through a corridor of murals, breweries, and patios. Add the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Sweet Auburn and the High Museum of Art in Midtown for a fuller picture of the city. Picking hotels near tourist attractions in world cup 2026 cities pays off in Atlanta, where Downtown puts most major sights within a 15-minute walk.

New York / New Jersey

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford hosts eight matches, including five group games, a Round of 32, a Round of 16, and the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026. Highlights include Brazil vs. Morocco on June 13 and France vs. Senegal on June 16. There is no spectator parking on match days; the NJ Transit Meadowlands Rail Service from Secaucus Junction is the primary route. Stay in Manhattan near Penn Station for atmosphere, or in Hoboken and Jersey City for cheaper rates and easier PATH access.

Visiting New York? Check out our guide on unique restaurant experiences in New York City!

Dallas

AT&T Stadium in Arlington hosts nine matches, the most of any venue, including Argentina vs. Austria on June 22, Argentina vs. Jordan on June 27, and a semifinal on July 14. Stay in downtown Dallas near a DART rail line for the Fair Park Fan Festival, or in Arlington for stadium proximity.

Practical Tips for Visiting Fans

• Arrive early at the stadium. Allow at least three hours before kickoff to clear FIFA security screening, especially for knockout matches when crowds are heaviest.
• Pack a clear bag. Every venue enforces a strict clear-bag policy, so leave the backpack at the hotel and bring only the essentials.
• Use fan festivals as a free backup plan. Each host city runs an official FIFA Fan Festival broadcasting every match, with food, music, and big screens. They are ideal for the days you do not have tickets.
• Book accommodation as early as possible. KAYAK's May 2026 data shows hotel searches across host cities up 40 percent year-over-year. Average nightly rates in Dallas have hit $264, a 39 percent jump from 2025, and Lighthouse Intelligence found visitors are paying a 31.44 percent premium on game nights across host cities.
• Plan transport before you book the hotel. Several stadiums (MetLife and Mercedes-Benz in particular) discourage or ban spectator parking on match days, so proximity to rail (MARTA, NJ Transit, MARTA, LA Metro) matters more than proximity to the stadium itself.
• Buy tickets only through FIFA.com/tickets. Tickets are mobile only via the FIFA World Cup 2026 app, and the official Resale/Exchange Marketplace runs until one hour before kickoff. Avoid third-party resellers.
• Check your travel documents. International visitors should confirm ESTA or visa requirements well in advance, since processing times are running longer than usual ahead of the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup is the most geographically ambitious tournament ever staged, and the 11 US host cities each offer a distinct take on it. Los Angeles delivers eight matches and a coast-to-canyon backdrop; Atlanta combines a semifinal with one of the most walkable downtowns in the country; New York/New Jersey closes the tournament with the final on July 19; and Dallas anchors the central region with the heaviest schedule. Pick your city by team, by climate, or by curiosity, lock in lodging early, and use FIFA.com/tickets for every purchase.

Starting from Skratch? Here are some links to help you get started:

• World Cup 2026 - USA Travel Advice | Gov UK
• Fifa World Cup Visas | United States Department of State
• Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zones | Los Angeles FWC26
• Fifa Fan Park | Boston FWC26

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