World Cup 2026 Stadiums Guide

All 16 venues at a glance

Capacities are configured for football (soccer). NFL/CFL configurations are typically higher because of additional sideline space; the soccer configurations remove some lower-bowl seating to accommodate the pitch dimensions.

AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas) - Capacity 92,967

The largest venue at the 2026 World Cup. Home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. Built in 2009 at a cost of $1.3 billion (most expensive stadium in NFL history at the time). The retractable roof, 600-foot center-hung video board, and capacity for 92,967 with soccer-configured seating make it a flagship venue.

Matches hosted: 9 total. Group stage matches plus Round of 16 plus semi-final. The semi-final on July 14 is one of two scheduled (alongside MetLife on July 15).

Football pedigree: Hosted the 2014 NCAA Football National Championship, 2015 CFP Final, Super Bowl XLV (2011). The Dallas Cowboys are one of the NFL's most valuable franchises. The stadium's soccer configuration removes the upper-deck sideline sections to focus the audience on the pitch.

Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, Mexico) - Capacity 87,523

The most historic football stadium in world football. Opened 1966. The only stadium ever to host three different FIFA World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026). Underwent a $150 million renovation ahead of the 2026 tournament with new VIP suites, expanded press box, modernised pitch drainage, LED lighting and enlarged broadcast plaza.

Matches hosted: 5 total, including the opening match (Mexico vs South Africa on 11 June 2026). Plus Group K matches and one knockout-round fixture.

Football pedigree: Hosted the 1970 World Cup Final (Brazil 4-1 Italy, Pele's signature performance) and the 1986 World Cup Final (Argentina 3-2 West Germany). Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal and "Goal of the Century" both scored here in the 1986 quarter-final against England. The 1968 Olympic football final was also held here.

MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) - Capacity 82,500

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final venue. Built in 2010 as the home of the NFL's New York Giants and Jets. Capacity 82,500 with soccer configuration. Located in the New Jersey Meadowlands, 9 miles west of Manhattan.

Matches hosted: 8 total. Group stage matches, Round of 32, one semi-final (July 15), and the FIFA World Cup Final on 19 July 2026 at 15:00 ET (21:00 CEST).

Football pedigree: Hosted the 2024 Copa America Final (Argentina 1-0 Colombia). MLS's New York Red Bulls and NYCFC have used it for high-attendance fixtures. Pre-2026 the stadium has hosted multiple Premier League summer-tour matches (Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona).

MLS-anchored venues: Lumen Field, BMO Field, Mercedes-Benz

Three venues are MLS-anchored, with established soccer fan culture pre-existing the World Cup:

Lumen Field (Seattle, USA, 69,000): Home of MLS's Seattle Sounders, the league's largest fan base (~32,000 average attendance). Real grass pitch (rare for US venues). Hosts 6 matches including Round of 32 and Group G fixtures.

BMO Field (Toronto, CA, 45,500): Home of MLS's Toronto FC. The 2024-25 expansion added 17,000 seats specifically for the World Cup. Hosts 6 matches including Group L fixtures.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, USA, 71,000): Home of MLS's Atlanta United (massive MLS fan base, multiple attendance records). Hosts 8 matches including a semi-final fixture.

Iconic American venues: NRG, Hard Rock, Arrowhead

NRG Stadium (Houston, USA, 72,220): Home of the NFL's Houston Texans. Built in 2002. Retractable roof (essential for mid-June Houston heat). Hosts 7 matches including major group-stage fixtures (Mexico-South Korea-Czechia related, plus Germany-Curacao opener).

Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, USA, 65,000): Home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins and MLS's Inter Miami. Hosts 7 matches including the third-place playoff on 18 July 2026.

Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, USA, 76,416): Home of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs. Holds the Guinness World Record for loudest crowd noise at any sports venue (142.2 decibels in 2014). Hosts 6 matches including Group J fixtures.

California megaprojects: SoFi, Levi's

SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, USA, 70,000): Built in 2020 at a cost of $5+ billion. Home of the NFL's LA Rams and Chargers. Translucent fabric roof, central video board. Hosts 8 matches including Round of 32 fixtures. Will also host the 2028 LA Olympics opening and closing ceremonies.

Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, USA, 70,909): Home of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. Opened 2014 with the most sustainable major stadium design in North America. Hosts 6 matches including Group D and Group J fixtures.

Mexican host venues: Azteca, BBVA, Akron

Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, 87,523): Detailed above. 5 matches including the opening match.

Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, 53,500): Home of Liga MX's Rayados Monterrey. Opened 2015. Modern, steep stands. Hosts 4 matches.

Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, 49,850): Home of Liga MX's Chivas Guadalajara. Steep stands, hostile atmosphere. Located at 1,540m altitude (moderate). Hosts 4 matches including Group A and H fixtures plus a Round of 32 match.

Canadian venues: BC Place, BMO Field

BC Place (Vancouver, 50,000): Home of MLS's Vancouver Whitecaps and CFL's BC Lions. Distinctive retractable roof rebuilt in 2011. Hosts 7 matches including Group B and G fixtures plus a Round of 32 match.

BMO Field (Toronto, 45,500): Detailed above. 6 matches.

Canada's 2026 World Cup is the country's first as host. The 13 matches across the two Canadian venues are distributed roughly equally. Canada's national team plays its home matches at both venues during the group stage.

Match distribution by venue type

The 104 matches are distributed by venue type:

• NFL stadiums (10 venues, 78 matches): AT&T, MetLife, NRG, Mercedes-Benz, Levi's, SoFi, Lumen, Lincoln Financial, Gillette, Hard Rock, Arrowhead. These are the largest venues with the deepest broadcast infrastructure.
• MLS stadiums (4 venues, 22 matches): Lumen Field, BMO Field, Mercedes-Benz (shared with NFL), Hard Rock (shared with Inter Miami). Real-grass MLS pitches plus established soccer fan culture.
• Liga MX stadiums (3 venues, 13 matches): Azteca, BBVA, Akron. Football-first venues with the highest match intensity.
• Multi-purpose (BC Place): 7 matches. Vancouver Whitecaps and BC Lions share the venue.

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