FIFA World Cup 2026: The Sports Fan's Travel Guide
You've got tickets — or you're about to get them — and suddenly the planning feels enormous. The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It's the largest World Cup in history: 48 teams, 104 matches, 39 days. For most international fans, this is the biggest trip they'll ever plan.
The good news: every host city has a free guide on this site covering exactly where to stay, how to get to the stadium, what it costs, and what first-timers get wrong. Start with your city below. If you haven't chosen yet, the next section will help you pick.
Which World Cup 2026 city is right for you?
Sixteen cities sounds like a lot. In practice, most international fans are choosing between four or five depending on which teams they want to see, how long they're staying, and what kind of city experience they're after.
If you want the biggest match and don't care which teams
New York/New Jersey. MetLife Stadium hosts the World Cup Final on July 19 — the most watched single sporting event in human history. Eight matches total, including Brazil, France, Germany, and England in the group stage. The stadium is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 13 kilometres west of Manhattan. The most expensive option, and the most searched.
If you want the USA opener and the full LA experience
Los Angeles. SoFi Stadium hosts eight matches including the United States vs Paraguay on June 12. The stadium has a translucent roof. Stay in Santa Monica or Downtown LA, not next to the stadium in Inglewood.
If you want the most matches
Dallas.AT&T Stadium hosts nine matches — more than any other US city — including a semifinal on July 14. The stadium has a retractable roof and air conditioning, making it the most comfortable in the tournament. Dallas is also among the most affordable major US host cities.
If you want Latin American atmosphere
Miami.Hard Rock Stadium hosts seven matches including the bronze final. Miami's demographics make the city feel like the World Cup comes to you before you reach the stadium. Getting there is easier than you'd expect: Brightline train to Aventura Station, then a complimentary shuttle to the ground.
If you want Argentina and Bay Area access
San Francisco. Levi's Stadium is in Santa Clara, 45 kilometres south of the city — factor that into your planning. Six matches including Argentina group games and a Round of 32. San Jose is a more practical and affordable base than San Francisco itself.
How much does a World Cup 2026 trip actually cost?
The honest answer: it depends entirely on which city and how long you're staying. A 4-night trip to Dallas including a group stage ticket, mid-range accommodation, transport, and food runs approximately USD $2,800–3,200 per person. The same trip to New York costs approximately USD $3,500–4,500. Miami and Los Angeles sit between those two figures.
Flights are on top of that. From Australia, return flights to US cities typically range from AUD $2,000–4,000 depending on departure city and how far in advance you book.
The biggest variable isn't the city — it's accommodation. Staying in the right neighbourhood rather than the stadium district saves 30–50% on hotel costs, and puts you somewhere worth actually being.
Use the trip cost calculator → to get a city-by-city breakdown in your currency.
DIY planning vs tour package vs GamePlan — what's the difference?
Three ways to plan this trip. Here's what each actually involves.
DIY
Research everything yourself — Reddit threads, TripAdvisor, FIFA's website, 40 browser tabs. Free, but takes 15–20 hours to do properly, and the information is scattered across sources of wildly varying reliability.
Tour package
Flights, accommodation, and match tickets bundled by an operator. Convenient, but priced for the margin the operator needs to make. Packages from Australia typically start at AUD $4,000 and can reach $8,000+ per person for a single-city trip. You're paying for the coordination.
GamePlan
Answer 8 questions about your trip — city, dates, group size, budget, priorities. Get a personalised plan covering your accommodation neighbourhood, transport playbook, budget breakdown in your currency, and day-by-day logistics. From $29. The research done for you, without the tour package markup.
Free city-by-city World Cup travel guides
Every host city has a dedicated guide covering accommodation zones, transport to the stadium, what it actually costs, what to bring, first-timer mistakes, and one insider tip that takes real research to find. All free.
United States
Five things to sort before you book anything
- One. Visa. Australian, UK, and most European passport holders enter the United States under ESTA (USD $21, apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before travel, valid for stays up to 90 days). Brazilian, Argentine, and Mexican fans attending US matches require a B1/B2 visa — not ESTA. Check travel.state.gov for your specific country.
- Two. Tickets. Official FIFA tickets are sold at fifa.com/tickets. Dynamic pricing applies — prices rise as match dates approach. Secondary market prices for high-demand matches (USA opener, Brazil group games, the Final) are significantly above face value. Buy official early.
- Three. Accommodation. Prices in all US host cities have already risen for World Cup dates. Book early, and book in the right neighbourhood — not the one closest to the stadium car park.
- Four. Flights. Return flights from Australia to US cities are typically cheapest 3–5 months in advance. Sydney to Los Angeles is approximately 14 hours direct. Sydney to New York is approximately 22 hours with one stop.
- Five. Your phone plan. Roaming on Australian carriers can run AUD $5–10 per day in the US. An Airalo eSIM costs approximately USD $13 for 3GB — no physical SIM needed, works on any unlocked phone. Get an Airalo eSIM →
World Cup 2026 FAQ
How many matches does the 2026 FIFA World Cup have?+
Which city hosts the 2026 World Cup Final?+
Do Australians need a visa for the 2026 World Cup in the USA?+
Which World Cup 2026 city is the most affordable?+
When do World Cup 2026 matches start and finish?+
About the Author
Written by Steve Hadfield — sports travel planner, GamePlan founder. Has attended major sporting events at the MCG, SCG, The Gabba, Lord's, Emirates Stadium, Old Trafford, and Melbourne Park.