Everything to Know About the 16 Stadiums of the FIFA World Cup 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a historic expansion to 48 teams and 104 matches, spread across 16 host cities in three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With stadiums ranging from historic venues in Mexico City to modern architectural marvels in Los Angeles and Dallas, the tournament promises a diverse array of football experiences.

FIFA has temporarily renamed several venues for the duration of the tournament, replacing corporate sponsor names with generic city-based titles (e.g., "Dallas Stadium" instead of AT&T Stadium) because their primary naming-lefts holders are not official tournament sponsors. Here is your comprehensive guide to the sixteen stages where history will be made.

The Titans of Capacity

MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium)

• Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey
• Capacity: 82,500
• Key Matches: Final (July 19), Round of 16, Round of 32.
• The Vibe: Situated in the swamplands just across the Hudson from Manhattan, this venue hosts the tournament's climax on July 19. It is known for its gray seats and lack of pedestrian access, surrounded largely by parking lots and the American Dream Mall. While it hosted the 2016 Copa América final, it has faced criticism for being one of the less aesthetically pleasing new NFL venues. Transportation is limited, with specific shuttle buses from Manhattan priced at $20.

Estadio Azteca (Estadio Ciudad de México)

• Location: Mexico City
• Capacity: 83,000
• Key Matches: Tournament Opener (June 11), Round of 16, Round of 32.
• The Vibe: A legendary stage that hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals, Azteca remains one of the few stadiums to have held two World Cup finals. At an altitude of 7,200 feet, it presents a unique physical challenge for teams acclimated to sea level. Formerly known as Estadio Banorte, it offers light rail connectivity and is home to Club América and Cruz Azul.

AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium)

• Location: Arlington, Texas
• Capacity: 94,000
• Key Matches: Semifinal (July 14), Round of 16, Multiple Group Stage matches.
• The Vibe: Known locally as "Jerry's World," this retractable-roof behemoth holds the most matches of any single site with nine games. It features four massive video screens suspended above the field. Originally built with artificial turf, grass has been installed for the World Cup. Free shuttles run from the Centreport Station on match days.

Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Stadium)

• Location: Kansas City, Missouri
• Capacity: 73,000
• Key Matches: Quarterfinal (July 11), Round of 16, Group Stage.
• The Vibe: Home to the Kansas City Chiefs since 1972, this venue holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest outdoor sporting event crowd (142.2 decibels). Located 8.5 miles from downtown with no rail access, $15 round-trip shuttles have been arranged. It sits adjacent to Kauffman Stadium (MLB's Royals).

Modern Marvels and Retactable Roofs

SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium)

• Location: Inglewood, California
• Capacity: 70,000
• Key Matches: Quarterfinal (July 10), Round of 32, Group Stage.
• The Vibe: Opened in 2020 on the former Hollywood Race Course site near LAX, this stadium houses both the Rams and Chargers. While it has a roof, the sides remain open. Parking costs are steep, ranging from $250 to $300 per game. LA Metro offers shuttle service from the LAX/Metro Transit Center. Note: There have been labor disputes involving concession workers here.

Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium)

• Location: Miami Gardens, Florida
• Capacity: 65,000
• Key Matches: Third-Place Match (July 18), Quarterfinal, Group Stage.
• The Vibe: This venue has hosted six Super Bowls, second only to the Superdome. A 2015 renovation added a soccer-style roof to protect fans from Florida rain. It has no nearby rail service, but FIFA has arranged free shuttles from Brightline's Aventura Station. It previously hosted the 2024 Copa América final, which was delayed due to crowd trouble.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium)

• Location: Atlanta
• Capacity: 75,000
• Key Matches: Semifinal (July 15), Round of 16, Group Stage.
• The Vibe: A downtown retractable-roof venue that opened in 2017. Unlike many other non-sponsor venues, FIFA allowed the Mercedes-Benz logo to remain atop the roof due to removal costs. It is well-connected via MARTA subway stations.

NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium)

• Location: Houston
• Capacity: 72,000
• Key Matches: Round of 16, Round of 32, Group Stage.
• The Vibe: Home to the Houston Texans, this stadium features a retractable roof and was originally built on artificial turf before grass installation for the tournament. It is serviced by the METRORail and is located just 6 miles from downtown.

Coastal and Regional Hubs

Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium)

• Location: Philadelphia
• Capacity: 69,000
• Key Matches: Round of 16 (July 4), Group Stage.
• The Vibe: Located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, this venue is a short SEPTA Metro ride from downtown. It will host a pregame ceremony for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence during its Round of 16 match.

Lumen Field (Seattle Stadium)

• Location: Seattle
• Capacity: 69,000
• Key Matches: Round of 16, Round of 32, Group Stage.
• The Vibe: A short walk or light rail ride from downtown, Lumen Field sits next to T-Mobile Park. Grass replaced the artificial turf here for the event.

Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium)

• Location: Foxborough, Massachusetts
• Capacity: 65,000
• Key Matches: Quarterfinal (July 9), Round of 32, Group Stage.
• The Vibe: Located 29 miles southwest of Boston, this venue has limited train service on match days, with round-trip tickets costing significantly more ($80-$95) than usual NFL/MLS rates. Grass was installed over the previous artificial surface.

Levi's Stadium (San Francisco Bay Area Stadium)

• Location: Santa Clara, California
• Capacity: 71,000
• Key Matches: Round of 32, Group Stage.
• The Vibe: Located in Silicon Valley, this is the only U.S. site not scheduled to host a match beyond the Round of 32. It features regular Caltrain service and is about 43 miles south of San Francisco.

BMO Field (Toronto Stadium)

• Location: Toronto
• Capacity: 45,000
• Key Matches: Round of 32, Group Stage.
• The Vibe: Built on the site of Exhibition Stadium, capacity was expanded for the World Cup with temporary bleachers. It is accessible via tram and train service and serves as the home for Toronto FC and the Argonauts.

B.C. Place (B.C. Place Vancouver)

• Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
• Capacity: 54,000
• Key Matches: Round of 16, Round of 32, Group Stage.
• The Vibe: A downtown venue with Skytrain service, B.C. Place hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics ceremonies and the 2015 Women's World Cup final. Its roof was renovated to become retractable.

Estadio BBVA (Estadio Monterrey)

• Location: Monterrey, Mexico
• Capacity: 53,500
• Key Matches: Round of 32, Group Stage.
• The Vibe: Known for its futuristic gill-like exterior and views of the Cerro de la Silla mountains, this stadium is likely the hottest venue of the tournament, with temperatures often exceeding 90°F (32°C).

Estadio Akron (Estadio Guadalajara)

• Location: Guadalajara, Mexico
• Capacity: 48,000
• Key Matches: Group Stage.
• The Vibe: Home to Chivas, this venue opened in 2010 and previously hosted the Pan American Games.

Logistics and Legacy

Travelers should note that transportation varies wildly between venues. Cities like Seattle, Boston, and Montreal offer direct rail links, while others like Kansas City, Miami, and Los Angeles rely heavily on shuttle services or private vehicles. Parking fees can be prohibitive, particularly in Los Angeles, while some regions like Philadelphia offer incentives such as free exit transport after matches.

With 16 distinct stages, the 2026 World Cup blends the grandeur of established football cathedrals like Azteca and Arrowhead with the sleek efficiency of modern arenas like SoFi and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Whether you are catching the opener in Mexico City or the final in New Jersey, each venue brings its own unique character to the world's biggest sporting celebration.