Stadium Guide for the 2026 World Cup: Comprehensive Venue Lineup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to make history as it unfolds across 16 stadiums in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This grand event, which will feature a record 48 teams and 104 matches, promises to showcase diverse architectural styles and major North American cities.
In the United States, the largest stadium for the World Cup is AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with an expandable capacity of over 100,000. On the other hand, the smallest stadium is BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, which has been expanded to accommodate about 45,700 spectators.
From historic stadiums like Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to state-of-the-art modern arenas such as SoFi Stadium and MetLife Stadium, the tournament will offer a mix of traditional and contemporary venues.
Estadio Azteca, which has hosted two previous World Cup finals and is undergoing reconstruction for 2026, will kick off the tournament with the opening game and will continue to host matches up to the round of 16. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, will host five group stage games, games in the rounds of 32 and 16, and the final on July 19.
Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, known for its passionate fanbase and loud atmosphere, will host games up until the quarter-final stage. The stadium, one of the most isolated venues for the World Cup, has a capacity of 76,416.
Miami will host games up to the quarter-final stage and will also be the venue for the third-place play-off the day before the final. Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the historic New England venue, has a capacity of 65,000 and will host games during the group stage.
Canada's BMO Field, referred to as Toronto Stadium, will host Canada's opening game in the group stage and games up to the round of 32. BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, which was expanded for the 2026 World Cup, will host games up until the round of 16, including two of Canada's group stage games.
Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, sitting in the San Francisco Bay Area, has five group stage games and one round of 32 game to host. Sitting in the heart of Silicon Valley, this modern venue promises to offer cutting-edge amenities.
In Mexico, Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe (Monterrey) will host three group stage games and a round of 32 game. Estadio Akron in Zapopan (Guadalajara) will have a capacity of 49,850 and will be known as 'Estadio Guadalajara' during the World Cup.
Atlanta will host games in every round up to the semi-finals except for the quarter-finals. The home of the New England Patriots and Revolution in Massachusetts specifically asked for a Disneyland-style entrance. Houston's last game will come in the round of 16. Philadelphia has five group stage games but will not be in use for the round of 32.
The 2026 World Cup promises to be a spectacular showcase of football, culture, and modern stadium architecture across North America. Prepare for an unforgettable experience as the world's best teams battle it out on these diverse and iconic pitches.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57152059 [3] https://www.espn.com/soccer/world-cup/2026/story/4639973/2026-fifa-world-cup-stadiums-us-canada-mexico [5] https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/23/2026-fifa-world-cup-us-canada-mexico-16-stadiums-confirmed
Football enthusiasts in the United States can witness the World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, or at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, both known for their capacity to accommodate large crowds. Alternatively, the smaller BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, will also play host to several games, showcasing a diverse range of stadiums during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
