2026 WORLD CUP VENUES
U.S. STADIUMS
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas): A favorite home away from home for the Mexican national team, the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium is the largest venue in the NFL with 93,000 seats. Opened in 2009, it has a retractable roof and an artificial surface.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta): One of three NFL-MLS venues, the five-year-old stadium has a retractable roof and an artificial surface and seats about 75,000.
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.): The 12-yearold stadium, home to both the New York Jets and New York Giants, is the heavy favorite to land the World Cup final. It has a seating capacity of about 87,000 and has an artificial surface.
Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.): Suburban Foxborough played host to games at the 1994 World Cup but Gillette Stadium is a different venue. Opened in 2002, it has a seating capacity of about 70,000.
NRG Stadium (Houston): One of two Texas stadiums on the list, NRG opened in 2002, has a seating capacity of about 72,000 and an artificial surface. Its retractable roof and air conditioning will be important given the area’s summer heat and humidity.
Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Mo.): The second-oldest stadium on the list, Arrowhead opened in 1972 and has been renovated several times, most recently in 2010. The seating capacity is about 76,000 and it has a grass surface.
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.): Miami appears to be a cinch to get at least one game. The venue, which has a seating capacity of about 67,000, a grass surface and a roof that covers spectators, opened in 1987 and has been renovated multiple times. It has hosted numerous international soccer exhibitions.
Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia): When the facility opened in 2003 its first event was a soccer match between Manchester United and Barcelona. The stadium serves as the home venue for the Philadelphia Eagles and Temple University. The 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup final was played at the stadium, with Mexico beating Jamaica 3-1. The stadium seats nearly 70,000 spectators and has a natural grass surface.
Levi’s Stadium (Santa
Clara): Opened in 2014, the stadium has played host to a Super Bowl and several major soccer games. It has a capacity of about 71,000 and has a grass surface.
Lumen Field (Seattle): Home to the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, the OL Reign of NWSL and the Sounders of MLS, the stadium opened in 2002 and has a capacity of about 69,000.
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood): Newest of the World Cup venues, SoFi, the most expensive stadium on the planet, opened in 2020. It has a seating capacity of about 70,000, an artificial surface and a fixed roof as well as a narrow field that will have to expanded.
CANADA STADIUMS
BMO Field (Toronto): Home of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL and Toronto FC of MLS, it was originally constructed as a soccer venue. It has a hybrid surface and can expand to about 45,000.
BC Place (Vancouver, British Columbia): Opened in 1983, BC Place has served as the home of the BC Lions of the CFL since its inauguration. The stadium also hosts home games for the Vancouver Whitecaps of the MLS. The stadium has a capacity of about 54,000 and was last renovated in 2011. It has an artificial surface.
MEXICO STADIUMS
Estadio Akron (Guadalajara): Opened in 2010, it has hosted a Copa Libertadores final and the opening ceremony of the 2011 Pan American Games. Mexican soccer club Chivas plays its home matches at the venue, which has a capacity of about 48,000 and a grass surface.
Estadio Azteca (Mexico City): One of the most iconic stadiums in soccer, it played host to World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986 as well as the 1986 quarterfinal between Argentina and England when Diego Maradona scored two of the most memorable goals in history. Opened in 1966 and reconfigured several times since, it has a capacity of about 87,000 with a grass surface. It’s more than a mile above sea level.
Estadio BBVA (Monterrey): Opened in 2015, it has a grass surface and seating for about 53,000. Mexican club Monterrey plays it home matches at the stadium.