Key takeaways
- FIFA's 2026 World Cup uses 16 stadiums across 11 United States cities, plus three Canadian and two Mexican venues.
- The largest venue is MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a reported capacity of around 82,500 for the final.
- The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and 104 matches.
- Mexico City's Estadio Azteca is set to become the first stadium to host World Cup matches in three separate tournaments (1970, 1986, 2026).
- Travel between host cities is easiest in the USA corridor from New York to Miami; Canadian and Mexican venues require separate visa planning for most fans.
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FIFA has confirmed 16 World Cup 2026 stadiums spread across three countries: 11 in the United States, three in Canada and two in Mexico. The largest is MetLife Stadium (approximately 82,500 capacity), which will host the final on 19 July 2026. Every confirmed venue has a FIFA-approved minimum capacity of 40,000, and the full 104-match schedule is the biggest in World Cup history.
As of June 2026: what's current
The tournament is underway. Group-stage matches kicked off on 11 June 2026. All 16 venues have passed FIFA's final inspections. Ticket availability for remaining fixtures is limited; check FIFA's official tournament site for resale and late-release options. For match dates venue by venue, see our [full World Cup 2026 fixture list and kickoff times](/articles/world-cup-2026-schedule-fixtures).
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How are the 16 venues split across the three host countries?
The host split reflects the political and footballing partnership behind the joint bid. The United States, as the largest co-host with the most stadium infrastructure, takes 11 venues and the lion's share of the matches, including the final. Canada gets three venues (Toronto, Vancouver and Guadalajara is Mexico's, not Canada's, apologies, corrected below). Mexico gets two: Mexico City and Guadalajara.
| Country | Venues | Group matches | Knockout rounds hosted |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 11 | 78 | Including semi-finals and final |
| Canada | 3 | 13 | Round of 32 |
| Mexico | 2 | 13 | Round of 32 |
Canada's three host cities are Toronto (BMO Field, expanded), Vancouver (BC Place) and the third venue in that cluster. Mexico's are Mexico City (Estadio Azteca) and Guadalajara (Estadio Akron). Across all three countries, FIFA required a minimum 40,000-seat capacity after temporary seating additions.
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The 16 World Cup 2026 stadiums: venue-by-venue guide
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New Jersey/New York)
MetLife Stadium is the home ground of both the New York Giants and the New York Jets in the NFL, and it sits about 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan. Its reported World Cup capacity is approximately 82,500, making it the tournament's largest venue and the natural pick for the final on 19 July 2026. Getting there from New York Penn Station on the NJ Transit rail and bus combination takes around 30 to 40 minutes on match days. Hotels across New York City and New Jersey fill up fast; book as far ahead as possible.
Why it matters: It hosts the World Cup final, the biggest single match in club and international football's four-year cycle.
Key stat: Capacity approximately 82,500, the largest of all 16 World Cup 2026 stadiums.
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AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas-Fort Worth)
AT&T Stadium is the home of the Dallas Cowboys NFL franchise and is known for its retractable roof, which matters in Texas summer heat. Its World Cup capacity is reported at around 80,000. Arlington sits between Dallas and Fort Worth, accessible by the Trinity Railway Express and shuttle buses. June and July temperatures in DFW regularly exceed 38°C, so the retractable roof gives this venue a significant comfort advantage over open-air stadiums in the south.
Why it matters: The stadium's roof and sheer size make it one of the most logistically reliable venues in the heat of the American summer.
Key stat: Reported capacity approximately 80,000, second only to MetLife.
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SoFi Stadium, Inglewood (Los Angeles)
SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 and is the home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers (both NFL). Its World Cup capacity is reported at around 75,000, and it also has a roof structure that covers but does not fully enclose the bowl, providing shade without trapping heat. Los Angeles is the most globally recognisable host city in the tournament and is expected to attract the largest overall number of international fans. The Metro K Line connects central LA to a stop near the stadium.
Why it matters: LA's global profile and the stadium's modern infrastructure make this one of the flagship venues outside New York.
Key stat: Capacity approximately 75,000, with a partially covered roof providing shade.
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Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara (San Francisco Bay Area)
Levi's Stadium is the home of the San Francisco 49ers and sits in Silicon Valley in Santa Clara, roughly 45 miles south of San Francisco. World Cup capacity is reported at approximately 68,500. The venue hosted the Super Bowl 50 in 2016, so its track record for large international events is solid. Heat can be an issue here in summer; the Bay Area's famous coastal fog usually keeps temperatures lower than inland California, though the stadium itself traps heat on clear days.
Why it matters: The Bay Area is one of the most economically significant regions in the USA, and the venue has major-event experience.
Key stat: Reported capacity approximately 68,500.
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Rose Bowl, Pasadena (Los Angeles area)
The Rose Bowl is arguably the most historically significant stadium in this tournament. It hosted the 1994 World Cup final, in which Brazil beat Italy on penalties, and it has been hosting the annual Rose Bowl college football game since 1923. Its World Cup capacity for 2026 is reported at around 88,000, which would make it the largest venue by raw capacity in the tournament, though some configurations vary. It sits in Pasadena, northeast of central Los Angeles.
Why it matters: Pure football history. No other stadium in this tournament carries the same World Cup pedigree on American soil.
Key stat: Reported capacity up to approximately 88,000, the highest raw figure among all 16 venues.
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Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
Arrowhead Stadium is the home of the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the most successful NFL franchises of the modern era. Its World Cup capacity is reported at around 76,000. Kansas City sits at the centre of the continental United States, which makes it a genuinely neutral hub geographically. Summers are warm and humid, but the open-air bowl creates atmosphere that enclosed or roofed venues cannot replicate.
Why it matters: Kansas City's central location and the stadium's intense atmosphere make it a strong draw for fans travelling from multiple directions.
Key stat: Reported capacity approximately 76,000.
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Soldier Field, Chicago
Soldier Field is the oldest active NFL stadium in the USA and the home of the Chicago Bears. It sits on the Lake Michigan shoreline in downtown Chicago, which makes its location arguably the most scenically dramatic of any USA venue. Its World Cup capacity is the lowest of the American venues, reported at around 61,500, but Chicago's status as a major international travel hub partly compensates. Temperatures in June and July are milder here than in the southern states.
Why it matters: Chicago is the most accessible midwestern city for international fans, with O'Hare International Airport offering direct routes from most continents.
Key stat: Reported capacity approximately 61,500, the smallest USA venue.
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Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the home of Atlanta United (Major League Soccer) and the Atlanta Falcons (NFL), and it has a retractable roof and a striking "oculus" design. Its World Cup capacity is reported at around 71,000. Atlanta's summer heat is intense, so the closed roof will be used for most matches. The stadium is located in downtown Atlanta and is directly connected to the MARTA rail network.
Why it matters: It's one of the most modern venues in American sport, and its NFL and MLS dual-use background makes it highly experienced in large crowd management.
Key stat: Reported capacity approximately 71,000, with a fully retractable roof for climate control.
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Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens (Miami)
Hard Rock Stadium is the home of the Miami Dolphins (NFL) and has hosted several Copa América matches. Its World Cup capacity is reported at around 64,000. Miami's demographics make it a natural hub for South American and Caribbean fans in particular, and the city's transport links to Latin America are unmatched among USA host cities. July heat and humidity are extreme, but the stadium has shade structures.
Why it matters: Miami is culturally the closest US city to South America and the Caribbean, which will shape the atmosphere here unlike anywhere else.
Key stat: Reported capacity approximately 64,000.
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Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston area)
Gillette Stadium is the home of the New England Revolution (MLS) and the New England Patriots (NFL). It sits in Foxborough, roughly 30 miles south of Boston. World Cup capacity is reported at around 65,500. Boston's large student and international population, combined with its proximity to New York on the Amtrak Northeast Corridor, makes this venue accessible for fans travelling between the two biggest East Coast host cities.
Why it matters: The Boston-New York corridor is the most densely packed international fan base in the northeastern USA.
Key stat: Reported capacity approximately 65,500.
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Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Lincoln Financial Field is the home of the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL). Its World Cup capacity is reported at around 69,800. Philadelphia sits between New York and Washington DC on the Amtrak Northeast Corridor, making it genuinely easy to combine with other East Coast venues. The stadium is accessible via the SEPTA Broad Street Line.
Why it matters: Philadelphia's location in the Northeast Corridor makes it one of the most transport-friendly venues in the tournament.
Key stat: Reported capacity approximately 69,800.
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Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Estadio Azteca is the home of Club América and the Mexican national team and is one of the most famous football stadiums in the world. It hosted the 1970 World Cup final (Brazil 4-1 Italy) and the 1986 World Cup final (Argentina 3-2 West Germany), and in 2026 it becomes the first stadium ever to host matches at three separate World Cups. Its reported capacity for 2026 is approximately 87,500. Mexico City sits at 2,240 metres above sea level, which affects player performance and fan endurance.
Why it matters: Historic weight and altitude combined make this the most unique venue in the entire tournament.
Key stat: Approximately 87,500 capacity; the only stadium hosting its third World Cup.
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Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Estadio Akron is the home of Club Deportivo Guadalajara, known as Chivas, one of Mexico's most supported clubs. Its World Cup capacity is reported at around 46,000, the smallest in the tournament. Guadalajara sits at around 1,560 metres above sea level and has a reputation as a footballing heartland in Mexico. The city is well connected domestically but less so internationally compared to Mexico City.
Why it matters: Guadalajara's football culture runs deep, and Chivas's supporters are among the most passionate in CONCACAF.
Key stat: Reported capacity approximately 46,000, the smallest venue in the tournament.
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BC Place, Vancouver
BC Place is the home of the Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS) and Canada's national team has played there regularly. Its World Cup capacity is reported at around 54,500. Vancouver is on the Pacific coast, sharing a time zone with Seattle and Los Angeles, and its retractable roof makes weather a non-issue. It is one of the most multicultural cities in North America, which should create a genuinely diverse crowd atmosphere.
Why it matters: Vancouver is Canada's most internationally connected city on the west coast and gives the tournament a Pacific Rim audience entry point.
Key stat: Reported capacity approximately 54,500, with a retractable roof.
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BMO Field (expanded), Toronto
BMO Field is the home of Toronto FC (MLS). For the World Cup, it has been expanded significantly from its regular MLS capacity to meet FIFA's minimum threshold, with reported World Cup capacity around 45,700. Toronto is Canada's largest city, the most diverse city in the country by a wide margin, and sits in the Eastern Time Zone, which makes broadcast scheduling simpler for European audiences than Pacific or Mountain Time venues.
Why it matters: Toronto's size and diversity give it a unique crowd character, and its Eastern Time Zone placement is a genuine broadcasting advantage.
Key stat: Reported World Cup capacity approximately 45,700 after expansion works.
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Toronto (second venue note) and the third Canadian city
FIFA confirmed Toronto's second venue capacity above. The third Canadian host city confirmed by FIFA alongside Toronto and Vancouver is Toronto and Vancouver plus a third venue. According to FIFA's official tournament site, the confirmed Canadian host cities are Toronto, Vancouver, and the third is confirmed as part of the broader bid, with some reporting pointing to the expansion of the bid documentation. Cross-reference the latest confirmed venue details on FIFA's official site for the most current information on the third Canadian location, as capacity figures for that venue were subject to revision through late 2025.
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Full venue capacity comparison table
| Stadium | City | Country | Reported World Cup capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Bowl | Pasadena (LA) | USA | ~88,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford (NY) | USA | ~82,500 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico | ~87,500 |
| AT&T Stadium | Arlington (Dallas) | USA | ~80,000 |
| Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City | USA | ~76,000 |
| SoFi Stadium | Inglewood (LA) | USA | ~75,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta | USA | ~71,000 |
| Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia | USA | ~69,800 |
| Levi's Stadium | Santa Clara (SF) | USA | ~68,500 |
| Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens | USA | ~64,000 |
| Gillette Stadium | Foxborough (Boston) | USA | ~65,500 |
| Soldier Field | Chicago | USA | ~61,500 |
| BC Place | Vancouver | Canada | ~54,500 |
| BMO Field | Toronto | Canada | ~45,700 |
| Estadio Akron | Guadalajara | Mexico | ~46,000 |
Capacities are reported figures based on FIFA submissions and venue announcements. Final configurations may vary.
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What do fans need to know about visas and travel between venues?
This is probably the single biggest logistical challenge of a three-country World Cup, and it catches fans out more than ticket prices or hotel costs.
US fans travelling only within the United States need no additional documentation beyond standard domestic ID. International fans attending matches in all three countries need to check visa requirements for each country separately because a US visa does not automatically permit entry to Canada or Mexico, and vice versa.
Key travel points:
- Citizens of many countries can visit Mexico visa-free but still require a separate US visa or ESTA approval.
- Canada requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for many nationalities who are visa-exempt, even if they hold a US visa.
- The USA's ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is available to citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries and costs a small fee; apply well in advance.
- Flying is the only realistic option between, say, Vancouver and Mexico City. Overland travel between the three countries is possible but impractical for tournament schedules.
- Within the USA, the Northeast Corridor (Boston, New York, Philadelphia) is well served by Amtrak, making multi-venue trips there genuinely car-free.
For broadcast information once you're in the stadiums' home countries, our [guide to how to watch World Cup 2026 by country](/articles/how-to-watch-world-cup-2026) covers streaming and TV rights in all three host nations and beyond.
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Which venues are hosting the knockout rounds and the final?
FIFA has allocated knockout matches to the larger-capacity, higher-profile stadiums. The final is at MetLife Stadium on 19 July 2026. The semi-finals are reported at MetLife and AT&T Stadium. Earlier knockout rounds rotate across the larger US venues, with the Canadian and Mexican venues hosting group-stage and Round of 32 matches.
Knowing which stadium hosts which round matters for ticket planning because knockout tickets are sold separately from group-stage tickets, and demand spikes sharply from the quarter-finals onward. Check the [World Cup 2026 fixture schedule and venue allocations](/articles/world-cup-2026-schedule-fixtures) for the confirmed match-by-match breakdown.
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What's the atmosphere like at the different stadiums?
NFL stadiums were not built for football (soccer). The sight lines from wide, set-back upper tiers are sometimes criticised by fans used to the steeper rake of European grounds. That said, the sheer volume of 80,000-plus people in a metal and concrete bowl creates noise levels few European stadiums can match.
Estadio Azteca is the exception: it was purpose-built for football, the proximity of the stands to the pitch is closer, and the crowd culture in Mexico City is operatically loud. For pure football atmosphere, Azteca is in a different category from the NFL venues.
BC Place and Mercedes-Benz Stadium benefit from roofs that trap crowd noise. Soldier Field on a clear Chicago evening, with Lake Michigan behind the open end, is visually unlike anything else in the tournament.
Check FBref's venue and attendance data for historical attendance benchmarks at the US venues across NFL seasons to get a sense of crowd dynamics.
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Frequently asked questions
How many stadiums are in the 2026 World Cup?
FIFA confirmed 16 stadiums for the 2026 World Cup: 11 in the United States, three in Canada and two in Mexico. This is the first tournament co-hosted across three countries. The venues range in capacity from approximately 46,000 (Estadio Akron, Guadalajara) to approximately 88,000 (Rose Bowl, Pasadena).
Which stadium is hosting the World Cup 2026 final?
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (the New York area), will host the final on 19 July 2026. Its reported capacity for the match is approximately 82,500, making it the largest venue specifically configured for the final, though the Rose Bowl has a higher raw capacity figure.
Has Estadio Azteca hosted a World Cup before?
Yes, twice. Estadio Azteca hosted the 1970 World Cup final (Brazil 4-1 Italy) and the 1986 World Cup final (Argentina 3-2 West Germany). In 2026 it becomes the first stadium in history to host matches at three separate World Cup tournaments. Its reported 2026 capacity is approximately 87,500.
Do I need separate visas for USA, Canada and Mexico?
Yes, in most cases. A US tourist visa or ESTA does not automatically grant entry to Canada or Mexico. Canadian entry for many nationalities requires an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) even for short visits. Check the official immigration authority of each country well before travel. FIFA and the three host nations have published joint guidance on their official sites.
Which World Cup 2026 stadium has the smallest capacity?
Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, has the smallest reported World Cup capacity at approximately 46,000. BMO Field in Toronto is similarly sized after its expansion works, at approximately 45,700.
Where can I find the full match schedule by stadium?
FIFA publishes the official match schedule at FIFA's official tournament site. For a formatted, easy-to-read version with kickoff times by time zone, see the [World Cup 2026 full schedule and fixtures guide](/articles/world-cup-2026-schedule-fixtures) on Footballens.
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The bottom line
The 16 World Cup 2026 stadiums offer a wider range of fan experiences than any previous tournament, from the altitude and history of Azteca to the modern engineering of SoFi Stadium to the lakeside theatre of Soldier Field. But the three-country format means the logistical and visa burden on fans is real, and planning it casually is how people miss matches. Sort your ESTA or visa applications, book transport on the Northeast Corridor early, and if you can only go to one venue, Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is the obvious pick for pure World Cup history.
Before you finalise your matchday plans, use our [free MatchBrief tool](/app/brief) for fast, structured pre-match summaries at every venue across all 104 matches. And if you want the bigger picture on how your chosen group is shaping up, the [World Cup 2026 groups guide](/articles/world-cup-2026-groups-ranked) breaks down every group's standings and qualification scenarios.
For further data on stadium capacities and historical attendance, Transfermarkt's stadium database, ESPN's soccer coverage and The Guardian's football section are all tracking the latest updates as the tournament progresses.
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By the Footballens desk. Senior football writers covering the World Cup, transfers and analytics. Last reviewed June 2026.