THE WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN

The World Cup USA 2026 – A Travel Guide for UK Fans

The USA is getting set to host next year's World Cup with matches, parties, concerts and celebrations taking place across the country. Fan parks and special events in the U.S. host cities will ensure even those who don’t get tickets to matches can join the fun.

ATLANTA

Atlanta Stadium – renamed from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the World Cup – and its retractable roof claims to be the world’s most sustainable stadium. It hosted five World Cup 2025 matches and will stage eight World Cup matches in 2026, including a semi-final. Downtown’s Centennial Olympic Park will be transformed into the Fan Festival, with activities, entertainment and match screenings.

PHILADELPHIA

Fittingly, the City of Brotherly Love’s final World Cup match of the six being played at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) will be on the July 4, exactly 250 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed at Pennsylvania State House, now called Independence Hall. Throughout the tournament, the Fan Festival at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park will attract up to 20,000 each day, with giant TV screens, food and drink, music, cultural events and parties.

LOS ANGELES / SAN FRANCISCO

The California duo will stage 14 World Cup matches between them. Los Angeles staged the 1994 World Cup final at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. The futuristic Los Angeles SoFi Stadium – the newest of all the host venues, opened in 2020 – hosts the opening match of the US men’s team on June 12, kicking off 39 days of fan engagement with events across the city. The San Francisco Bay Area Stadium hosted the 2016 Super Bowl and is home to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.

DALLAS / HOUSTON

The largest of all the U.S. World Cup venues, Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) has room for 94,000 and its ultra-modern design incorporates an opening roof. The home of multiple Super Bowl winners the Dallas Cowboys, it will host eight group and knockout matches and a semi-final. Houston Stadium will likely keep its retractable roof closed during its seven matches to mitigate the extreme heat and humidity.

KANSAS CITY

Known as the “soccer capital of America”, the Kansas City metropolitan area straddles the Missouri-Kansas state line, attracting sports fans from both states. Expect the six World Cup matches at the open-air Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead Stadium) to be raucous; it has been certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s loudest outdoor sports venue, for the record-breaking 142.2 decibels recorded when NFL team Kansas City Chiefs played the New England Patriots in 2014.

SEATTLE

Six World Cup matches will be held in the horseshoe-shaped Seattle Stadium, home of the MLS side the Seattle Sounders. An open end will give fans Seattle skyline views. Community events during the tournament will include watch parties, live concerts, fan zones, beer gardens, food trucks and activities in various city locations.

MIAMI

The World Cup Fan Festival in Miami will be a family-friendly event bringing the tournament to life across the city with live match broadcasts, entertainment, cultural performances, food, games and interactive fan experiences. For those with match tickets, Miami Stadium will stage seven World Cup games including a quarter final and the bronze final between the losing semi-finalists. The stadium is the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and has hosted six Super Bowls.

NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY

The World Cup comes to a climax on July 19 when the final is played out in front of more than 80,000 fans at the New York New Jersey Stadium, which is also hosting seven other matches. The temporarily-renamed MetLife Stadium also staged the 2025 Club World Cup final, won by Chelsea, and is the home ground of NFL teams the New York Giants and New York Mets.

BOSTON

Seven matches will be played at Boston Stadium, home to MLS side New England Revolution and the NFL’s New England Patriots. Located in Foxborough just south of Boston, the stadium comes complete with its own lighthouse, a new signature 22-story lighthouse with a 360-degree observation deck open to guests year-round. For those travelling from the UK, note that amongst those seven games Boston will play host to two Scotland matches and one England match in the preliminary rounds of the tournament.

Credit: Selling Travel

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What's Happening In Each Host City

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Atlanta

Atlanta is one of the best and biggest sports cities in the United States and will host eight matches for the 2026 World Cup, including a semi-final. Home to a world-class downtown stadium just steps from major hotels and the official Fan Fest, Atlanta is the ultimate hub for football fans.

This July, Boston will host seven matches for the World Cup 2026™ - the biggest tournament in football history. And with Sail Boston, the largest maritime celebration ever to visit the US, and historic America 250 commemorations happening too, Boston is the place to be next summer!

Dallas plays host to a World Cup 26™ Semi-final as well as nine matches of the most prestigious sports event on earth, more than any other host city. The Beautiful Game comes to the AT&T Stadium - home of the Dallas Cowboys!

Houston is ready to invite the world to the biggest celebration of football next summer. With 7 games, there are lots of opportunities to discover a city full of new ideas, flavors and culture. From the frontier of space to the frontier of taste, Houston celebrates exploration in every form.

From the planet’s loudest stadium to the Fan Festival™ on the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, Kansas City is a totally unique football destination. Discover world-famous barbecue, legendary jazz and essential American experiences between every moment of action on the pitch.

LA is a premier host city for the World Cup 2026, and planning ahead for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games. The city will host eight matches, including the U.S. opening game. Soak up the electric atmosphere of the SoFi Stadium and the continue the global celebration at Fan Fest.

Greater Miami & Miami Beach prepare to host the World Cup 2026™, bringing global excitement to Hard Rock Stadium. With top-tier amenities and accessibility, the venue will showcase world-class football. The city also prioritizes sustainability, introducing green initiatives to reduce environmental impact. Fans can look forward to thrilling matches and an unforgettable Miami experience.

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New York / New Jersey

The World Cup 26™ is coming to the New York area this summer. Starting June 13, through to the final on July 19. Don’t miss the festivities during one of the biggest celebrations on the global stage.

The City of Philadelphia and Lincoln Financial Field will host six World Cup 2026™ matches. The schedule includes five group stage matches and one round of 16 match, which will be on the Fourth of July - a day that also marks the 250th Anniversary of America's independence, making Philadelphia the centrepiece of this monumental birthday celebration.

San Francisco is the perfect home base for the World Cup 26 . Whether you're here to cheer on your team or soak in the global excitement, enjoy one of the most iconic cities in the world, with incredible dining, stunning views, vibrant neighborhoods, and seamless transportation to Levi’s Stadium.

Washington State is welcoming football fans to the Pacific West Coast next summer as Seattle hosts six games. From vibrant cities and culinary hot spots to forests, secluded beaches and wineries, visitors can create unforgettable memories before, during and after the game.

Visit the FCDO pages for the latest information for British nationals travelling to the USA. It's always best to 'know before you go'.

And finally, don't forget to check your entry requirements with the ESTA Mobile App - How to Guide