SoFi Stadium, referred to as Los Angeles Stadium by FIFA, hosted the U.S. opening match of the World Cup.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Your guide to 2026 World Cup stadiums
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The 2026 World Cup, the largest ever, will be played in three countries and 16 stadiums, organized by geography, not national borders.
Seven of the 11 U.S. venues — all but Kansas City, Philadelphia, Santa Clara and Miami — plus Vancouver normally have artificial-turf fields.
So for the World Cup, which FIFA mandates must be played on grass, those surfaces underwent multi-million-dollar transformations, with state-of-the-art fields — each with its own root system and irrigation methods — rolled out across the plastic turf.
Additionally, stadiums that have corporate names not affiliated with FIFA sponsors — SoFi Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, etc. — will use generic names such as Los Angeles Stadium and Atlanta Stadium during the tournament.
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Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta Stadium
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Mercedes-Benz Stadium, shown during a 2025 Atlanta Falcons game, will host World Cup matches.
(Danny Karnik / Associated Press)
Region: East | Location: Atlanta | Opened: 2017 | Capacity: 75,000
It’s a fact: The $1.6-billion retractable-roof stadium in downtown Atlanta was built on the site of the former Georgia Dome and is home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United of MLS. It also hosted the Super Bowl in 2019. It will stage eight World Cup matches, including two group-stage games involving Spain and a semifinal.
It’s a fact: The $1.6-billion retractable-roof stadium in downtown Atlanta was built on the site of the former Georgia Dome and is home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United of MLS. It also hosted the Super Bowl in 2019. It will stage eight World Cup matches, including two group-stage games involving Spain and a semifinal.
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Gillette Stadium | Boston Stadium
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(Stew Milne / Associated Press)
Region: East | Location: Foxborough, Mass. | Opened: 2002 | Capacity: 70,000
It’s a fact: Located 22 miles southwest of Boston, Gillette Stadium is actually closer to Providence, R.I., than it is to Massachusetts’ largest city. One of six suburban stadiums being used, it is home to the New England Patriots of the NFL and the New England Revolution of MLS. It will host seven World Cup matches, including a quarterfinal.
It’s a fact: Located 22 miles southwest of Boston, Gillette Stadium is actually closer to Providence, R.I., than it is to Massachusetts’ largest city. One of six suburban stadiums being used, it is home to the New England Patriots of the NFL and the New England Revolution of MLS. It will host seven World Cup matches, including a quarterfinal.
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Estadio BBVA | Monterrey Stadium
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BBVA Stadium, to be known as Monterrey Stadium during the World Cup, will host four tournament matches.
(Fernando Llano / Associated Press)
Region: Central | Location: Guadalupe, Mexico | Opened: 2015 | Capacity: 53,460
It’s a fact: Home to Liga MX club CF Monterrey, the modern stadium, dubbed “the steel giant,” is beloved for its scenic view of Cerro de la Silla, the highest peak in Monterrey, from the northwestern grandstands. It will host four World Cup games, including a round-of-32 match.
It’s a fact: Home to Liga MX club CF Monterrey, the modern stadium, dubbed “the steel giant,” is beloved for its scenic view of Cerro de la Silla, the highest peak in Monterrey, from the northwestern grandstands. It will host four World Cup games, including a round-of-32 match.
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Estadio Azteca | Mexico City Stadium
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(Eduardo Verdugo / Ap Photo/eduardo Verdugo)
Region: Central | Location: Mexico City | Opened: 1966 | Capacity: 87,523
It’s a fact: The largest soccer stadium in Latin America, the “Colossus of Santa Úrsula” is also the oldest venue in this tournament and the only stadium to play host to three World Cups. It will host another five matches, including the tournament opener on June 11 featuring Mexico, and two knockout-round games.
It’s a fact: The largest soccer stadium in Latin America, the “Colossus of Santa Úrsula” is also the oldest venue in this tournament and the only stadium to play host to three World Cups. It will host another five matches, including the tournament opener on June 11 featuring Mexico, and two knockout-round games.
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Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City Stadium
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Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, will be known as Kansas City Stadium during the World Cup.
(Charlie Riedel / Ap Photo/charlie Riedel)
Region: Central | Location: Kansas City, Mo. | Opened: 1972 | Capacity: 76,640
It’s a fact: Arrowhead is the third-oldest stadium in the NFL and has been home to the Kansas City Chiefs since it opened. But the Chiefs won’t be there much longer; the team is set to move to Wyandotte County, Kan., in 2031. Arrowhead will stage six World Cup games, including the opener for reigning champion Argentina and a quarterfinal match.
It’s a fact: Arrowhead is the third-oldest stadium in the NFL and has been home to the Kansas City Chiefs since it opened. But the Chiefs won’t be there much longer; the team is set to move to Wyandotte County, Kan., in 2031. Arrowhead will stage six World Cup games, including the opener for reigning champion Argentina and a quarterfinal match.
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Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Stadium
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(Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press)
Region: East | Location: Miami Gardens, Fla. | Opened: 1987 | Capacity: 67,518
It’s a fact: Since opening as Joe Robbie Stadium, the open-air venue has gone through seven name changes. Built on the border of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, the stadium has staged six Super Bowls, two World Series and six college football national championships. It will play host to seven World Cup games, including the third-place match.
It’s a fact: Since opening as Joe Robbie Stadium, the open-air venue has gone through seven name changes. Built on the border of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, the stadium has staged six Super Bowls, two World Series and six college football national championships. It will play host to seven World Cup games, including the third-place match.
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MetLife Stadium | New York / New Jersey Stadium
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(Pamela Smith / Associated Press)
Region: East | Location: East Rutherford, N.J. | Opened: 2010 | Capacity: 87,157
It’s a fact: MetLife, located five miles west of Manhattan, will host July’s World Cup final after staging the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. Built as a $1.6-billion replacement for Giants Stadium, MetLife is home to the Jets and Giants, making it one of two venues (SoFi Stadium) to play host to two NFL teams. MetLife will stage eight matches.
It’s a fact: MetLife, located five miles west of Manhattan, will host July’s World Cup final after staging the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. Built as a $1.6-billion replacement for Giants Stadium, MetLife is home to the Jets and Giants, making it one of two venues (SoFi Stadium) to play host to two NFL teams. MetLife will stage eight matches.
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Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia Stadium
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(Matt Rourke / Associated Press)
Region: East | Location: Philadelphia | Opened: 2003 | Capacity: 69,328
It’s a fact: The first event played at the stadium in 2003 was a soccer match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona; the NFL’s Eagles took up permanent residency there 19 days later. “The Linc” will stage six World Cup games, including a round-of-16 game on July 4, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s adoption.
It’s a fact: The first event played at the stadium in 2003 was a soccer match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona; the NFL’s Eagles took up permanent residency there 19 days later. “The Linc” will stage six World Cup games, including a round-of-16 game on July 4, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s adoption.
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NRG Stadium | Houston Stadium
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(Tyler Kaufman / Associated Press)
Region: Central | Location: Houston | Opened: 2002 | Capacity: 72,220
It’s a fact: The home of the Houston Texas and host of two Super Bowls, NRG Stadium was the first NFL venue to have a retractable roof. The stadium sits adjacent to the Astrodome, the world’s first fully enclosed, air-conditioned stadium. NRG will stage seven World Cup matches, including Germany’s opener and two knockout-round games.
It’s a fact: The home of the Houston Texas and host of two Super Bowls, NRG Stadium was the first NFL venue to have a retractable roof. The stadium sits adjacent to the Astrodome, the world’s first fully enclosed, air-conditioned stadium. NRG will stage seven World Cup matches, including Germany’s opener and two knockout-round games.
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BMO Field | Toronto Stadium
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(Sammy Kogan / Canadian Press via Associated Press)
Region: East | Location: Toronto | Opened: 2007 | Capacity: 45,736
It’s a fact: Rising from the northern shore of Lake Ontario, BMO Field originally was constructed as a soccer-specific stadium for MLS expansion side Toronto FC. But seven years after opening, it underwent a substantial renovation to make it suitable for the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts. It will host six World Cup matches, including Canada’s opener.
It’s a fact: Rising from the northern shore of Lake Ontario, BMO Field originally was constructed as a soccer-specific stadium for MLS expansion side Toronto FC. But seven years after opening, it underwent a substantial renovation to make it suitable for the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts. It will host six World Cup matches, including Canada’s opener.
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Estadio Akron | Guadalajara Stadium
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(Lars Baron / Getty Images)
Region: Central | Location: Guadalajara, Mexico | Opened: 2010 | Capacity: 48,071
It’s a fact: The stadium, home to iconic Liga MX team Chivas de Guadalajara, was plagued by setbacks from the start of construction, which lasted more than six years, because of financial problems and other issues. It will host four World Cup games, including Mexico’s second group-play match.
It’s a fact: The stadium, home to iconic Liga MX team Chivas de Guadalajara, was plagued by setbacks from the start of construction, which lasted more than six years, because of financial problems and other issues. It will host four World Cup games, including Mexico’s second group-play match.
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Levi's Stadium | San Francisco / Bay area
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(Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)
Region: West | Location: Santa Clara | Opened: 2014 | Capacity: 71,909
It’s a fact: Built in the heart of the Silicon Valley, the $1.3-billion home of the San Francisco 49ers also has hosted two Super Bowls and a college football national championship game. The stadium has a rooftop farm above the press box that grows 10,000 pounds of food annually used for stadium concessions. It will stage six World Cup matches.
It’s a fact: Built in the heart of the Silicon Valley, the $1.3-billion home of the San Francisco 49ers also has hosted two Super Bowls and a college football national championship game. The stadium has a rooftop farm above the press box that grows 10,000 pounds of food annually used for stadium concessions. It will stage six World Cup matches.
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Lumen Field | Seattle Stadium
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(Lindsey Wasson / Associated Press)
Region: West | Location: Seattle | Opened: 2002 | Capacity: 69,000
It’s a fact: A multipurpose stadium on the shores of Elliott Bay, Lumen Field has regular tenants including the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, the Seattle Sounders of MLS and the NWSL’s Seattle Reign. It will stage six World Cup matches, including the Americans’ second group-stage game and two knockout-round clashes.
It’s a fact: A multipurpose stadium on the shores of Elliott Bay, Lumen Field has regular tenants including the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, the Seattle Sounders of MLS and the NWSL’s Seattle Reign. It will stage six World Cup matches, including the Americans’ second group-stage game and two knockout-round clashes.
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BC Place | Vancouver Stadium
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(Darryl Dyck / Canadian Press via Associated Press)
Region: West | Location: Vancouver, Canada | Opened: 1983 | Capacity: 54,500
It’s a fact: Built for the 1986 World’s Fair and now home to the CFL’s BC Lions and the Vancouver Whitecaps of MLS, BC Place was also the main stadium for the 2010 Winter Olympics and the site of Carli Lloyd’s hat trick in the 2015 Women’s World Cup final. The stadium will host seven World Cup matches, including two in the knockout rounds.
It’s a fact: Built for the 1986 World’s Fair and now home to the CFL’s BC Lions and the Vancouver Whitecaps of MLS, BC Place was also the main stadium for the 2010 Winter Olympics and the site of Carli Lloyd’s hat trick in the 2015 Women’s World Cup final. The stadium will host seven World Cup matches, including two in the knockout rounds.
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AT&T Stadium | Dallas Stadium
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(Julio Cortez / Ap Photo/julio Cortez)
Region: Central | Location: Arlington, Texas | Opened: 2009 | Capacity: 92,967
It’s a fact: The $1.3-billion retractable-roof home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium, with a capacity of more than 92,000, is the largest of the 16 World Cup venues. It features more than 3 million square feet of space cooled by 11,000 tons of air conditioning. It will stage a record nine games in this summer’s tournament, including a semifinal.
It’s a fact: The $1.3-billion retractable-roof home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium, with a capacity of more than 92,000, is the largest of the 16 World Cup venues. It features more than 3 million square feet of space cooled by 11,000 tons of air conditioning. It will stage a record nine games in this summer’s tournament, including a semifinal.
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SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles Stadium
Inglewood Stadium
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(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Region: West | Location: Inglewood | Opened: 2020 | Capacity: 70,240
It’s a fact: Built on the site of the Hollywood Park racetrack, the home of the NFL’s Rams and Chargers cost more than $5.5 billion, making it the most expensive stadium in history. Opened during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the newest of the 16 World Cup venues and is scheduled to stage its second Super Bowl in February and play host to swimming events in the 2028 Olympics. It will play host to eight World Cup matches, including the U.S. opener and a quarterfinal.
It’s a fact: Built on the site of the Hollywood Park racetrack, the home of the NFL’s Rams and Chargers cost more than $5.5 billion, making it the most expensive stadium in history. Opened during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the newest of the 16 World Cup venues and is scheduled to stage its second Super Bowl in February and play host to swimming events in the 2028 Olympics. It will play host to eight World Cup matches, including the U.S. opener and a quarterfinal.
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