The World Cup is greater than a match—it’s a passport stamp in movement. And for soccer-obsessed globe-trotters (or soccer-obsessed, relying the place you hail from), it may be a 90-minute crescendo in the midst of per week spent wandering by way of new cities, flavors, and cultures.
In 2026, the FIFA World Cup will unfold throughout three international locations for the primary time—Canada, the United States, and Mexico—turning North America into one sprawling, exhilarating stage for the world’s most beloved sport. It’s the last word ticket to journey for vacationers who crave the heart beat of a crowd as a lot as they do a skyline at sunset or a post-match mezcal in a hidden rooftop bar. But how do you get in? When do the tickets drop? And upon getting them, how do you flip a soccer match into the trip of a lifetime? Let’s break all of it down, one query at a time.
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When is the FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup formally begins on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with the opening match going down at Mexico City‘s legendary Estadio Azteca. It’s a becoming place to begin—a cathedral of soccer historical past, nestled in a metropolis brimming with artwork, power, and a culinary scene that might rival the match’s grandeur. Over the next month, 48 groups will compete throughout North America within the greatest World Cup to date. After 104 matches, the match will conclude on Sunday, July 19, 2026; the ultimate match might be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, only a brief prepare journey from Manhattan.
When do tickets go on sale, and the way can I get them?
Ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup 2026 formally start on September 10, 2025. The first part is a Visa cardholder unique, which means solely followers who register for a FIFA Ticketing Account and use a Visa card can apply by way of a random draw. The Visa unique software interval runs for a number of days in early September, and tickets might be distributed utilizing a randomized lottery system, so it’s not first-come, first-served. If you’re chosen, you’ll obtain a delegated time slot in October to buy tickets.
Subsequent waves of normal public gross sales will roll out over the following a number of months. Initially, FIFA will proceed the lottery-style draw methodology by way of October 31, however will finally shift to a first-come, first-served method by spring 2026. For those that desire flexibility, FIFA will even introduce a resale platform nearer to the match begin (although the official date remains to be unclear), the place verified followers can promote and change tickets at face worth.
Hospitality packages are already obtainable for vacationers who need extra than simply entry by way of FIFA’s official hospitality supplier, On Location. These vary from single-match luxurious experiences to complete “Follow My Team” and “Venue Series” packages that embody entry to a number of video games, usually paired with premium seating, eating, and lounge entry. Prices begin within the low four-figures and climb up relying on the size of your expertise. Think of them as all-access passes to the very best video games, with a velvet-rope journey twist.
Where are the matches going down, and the place ought to I keep?
Matches will happen in sixteen cities throughout three international locations: eleven within the United States, two in Canada, and three in Mexico. Each host metropolis affords a definite taste of soccer and journey, whether or not it’s beachside glitz, mountain views, desert vibrance, or city grit.
Full listing of FIFA host cities:
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Dallas
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New York/New Jersey
- Philadelphia
- The San Francisco Bay Area
- Seattle
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Guadalajara
- Mexico City
- Monterrey
Mexico
In Mexico City, the place the match kicks off, followers can keep within the stylish neighborhoods of Condesa or Roma, the place colonial structure meets modern design. Estadio Azteca, the opening venue, sits within the southern a part of the town, simply accessible by automobile or ride-share. The resort choices listed here are various, however think about boutique lodging just like the Nima Local House Hotel or the extra luxurious Four Seasons Mexico City for proximity and luxury.
US
In New York and New Jersey, MetLife Stadium is technically in East Rutherford, however most guests will probably keep in Manhattan for a mixture of sightseeing and comfort. Hotels in Midtown or close to Penn Station supply direct prepare entry to the stadium. Try the Moxy Times Square or the Ace Hotel for fashionable, centrally situated picks that steadiness entry with aesthetics.
Los Angeles’s SoFi Stadium will even host a number of matches. If you’re heading to LA, Santa Monica affords beachy, walkable vibes, whereas Downtown LA is best for nightlife and simpler transit to the stadium through automobile.