This summer up to 6.5 million international visitors will descend upon North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s the first time ever that three nations will host the tournament, sending international football fans to 16 cities throughout Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
As stadiums sell out, many soccer lovers will travel to host cities whether or not they can snag a ticket, says Paul Caine, the president of FIFA’s official hospitality partner, On Location. “People just want to be where the energy is,” he says. “Many of the cities are pulling out all the stops.”
The tournament kicks off at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, which has a roster of events planned to take spectators beyond the stadium: Travelers can learn about the ancient Mesoamerican ball games at archaeological sites such as Teotihuacán and Templo Mayor, sample cuisine from the nation’s 32 states at the México de Mis Sabores food festival from June 5 through July 22, and attend raucous watch parties at the city’s historic Zócalo.
The action then continues on to Los Angeles, where the US Men’s National Team plays its first game, on June 12. During the city’s eight matches, an official FIFA Fan Festival will be held at the LA Memorial Coliseum, while specially designated Fan Zones will host smaller-scale neighborhood events and watch parties throughout the tournament. Those are free to enter; for mega-fans looking to splurge, On Location’s Platinum Access packages bundle match tickets with stays at luxury hotels including Shutters on the Beach and the Four Seasons, plus perks like VIP immigration and customs processing at LAX’s private terminal, PS.
Of course, some of the best opportunities to experience the world’s game will be unofficial and unplanned—from spontaneous pickup games to late-night football anthem sing-alongs. In Toronto, one of the most multicultural cities in the world, different ethnic neighborhoods “will come alive to celebrate almost every match,” says Kelly Jackson of Destination Toronto. “You combine that with all the international visitors, and it’s going to create a really special environment.”
This article appeared in the March 2026 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.
