Turn your 2026 FIFA World Cup match into an unforgettable summer adventure with the best things to do, eat and explore in every US host city.
Highlights
- 11 US cities will host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
- The host cities, including Los Angeles, New York and Miami, are popular travel destinations with world-class museums, Atlantic and Pacific Ocean beaches and chef-driven dining.
- Trip lengths of 10+ days are anticipated with travel extending beyond the gateway host cities.
North America takes center stage for the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June 11 to July 19, with 48 national teams competing across the US, Canada and Mexico. Rabid team fans and bucket list sports tourists are turning the tournament into full-blown summer adventures. According to a travel trends report from Airbnb, US and Canadian travelers are staying an average of 10 nights, while international visitors are planning even longer stays. And 70% are adding “gateway travel” to explore North America beyond the host cities, with more than half traveling as families or in groups.
If you’re a lucky fan planning a 2026 World Cup trip, start here with SheBuysTravel destination guides for each of the US host cities for inspiration about where to play, eat and stay.
New York/New Jersey
I screeched when I “won” the right to purchase 4 tickets to the England v. Panama match at MetLife Stadium. It’s familiar terrain since I’m a lifelong NY Jets fan and MetLife is their home stadium. I know slightly more than nothing about soccer, but a World Cup match is a bucket list sporting event, ranking alongside the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby and Wimbledon. I have plenty of time to rewatch “Ted Lasso” and buy cute gear emblazoned with England’s national team “Three Lions” logo.
If you’re coming to the New York metro area for World Cup matches, you’ll be delighted by the skyline view from the Jersey side. It can’t be beat. In the city, do all the things: go to the top of the Empire State Building, visit the Statue of Liberty, stand under the giant blue whale at the American Museum of Natural History, see a Broadway show and row a boat on the lake in Central Park. It’s all that and more.
If you have time for more, head to the Atlantic Ocean beaches in the Hamptons. Prefer shaded outdoor spaces? New York has state parks. Lots of them. Bring your hiking boots and explore the Catskills or Adirondacks.
- Family fun: 15 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Times Square with Kids
- Where to stay: NYC Hotels for Families: 21 Kid-Approved Picks with Pools, Parking & Perks
- Beyond the city: Not the Adirondacks: 25 Fun Things to Do in the Catskills, NY’s Other Mountains
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re planning on visiting multiple attractions in host cities, check for bundled discounts. CityPASS is one of the more popular options and is available in New York City.
Are you ready to explore more? Let us inspire you!
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is ideal for history buffs, especially as America celebrates 250 years of independence. Base yourself in Philly’s Center City and explore Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Reading Terminal Market between matches. Extend the trip with an easy Jersey Shore beach add-on or a Brandywine Valley countryside escape that extends into Delaware.
- Family fun: Take the Kids to Philly: 20+ Fun, FREE Things to Do
- Where to stay: 10 Best Family Resorts in Pennsylvania for Indoor and Outdoor Adventures
- Beyond the city: 12 Must-See Things to Do in Cape May: America’s First Seaside Resort
SheBuysTravel Tip: Pat’s vs. Geno’s. It’s the legendary cheesesteak fight in Philly. You can try both – easily. They’re located across from one another in the city’s Italian market area.
Boston
Boston-based fans can plan a classic New England getaway. Walk the Freedom Trail and watch the Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park, America’s oldest baseball park. Then, venture beyond the city for salty-air adventures and coastal charm. Quintessential Atlantic Ocean destinations are easily accessible from Boston, including Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Newport. And, if you need more lobster, Maine and Acadia National Park are a road trip away.
- Family fun: Baseball and Butterflies: Fun Boston Museums for Kids
- Where to stay: Family Friendly Hotels in Boston for Exploring Beantown with Kids
- Beyond the city: 19 Awesome Attractions in Massachusetts
SheBuysTravel Tip: Love a good whodunit? The 1990 art heist at Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner museum remains unsolved. The museum keeps five empty frames on the walls where the masterpieces once hung. Perfect for art junkies and mystery buffs.
Houston
You’ll find culture, coastline and classic Texas swagger in Houston. Explore world-class museums and the city’s legendary food scene, from Tex-Mex to Gulf-fresh seafood. Lean into Houston’s Space City identity with a tour of the NASA Space Center. Then head south for breezy beach time in Galveston. If you have extra days, venture into Texas Hill Country for rolling vineyards, wildflower-lined highways and charming small towns.
- Family fun: Fun Things to Do in Houston with Kids
- Where to stay: 14 Best Houston Hotels for Families
- Beyond the city: Best Beaches Near Houston for Family Fun Under the Texas Sun
SheBuysTravel Tip: Houston traffic is no joke. Give yourself plenty of time to get around or check out hotels within walking distance of NRG Stadium.
Miami
Soak up the Florida sunshine on Miami’s South Beach and check out iconic examples of Art Deco architecture. The Wynwood murals are fun to explore and photograph. Catch the rhythm of the city in Little Havana, where the best bite is a classic Cuban breakfast. You’re not far from the vast, 1.5 million-acre Everglades, Orlando’s Walt Disney World and Universal Studios and the southernmost point in the US, Key West.
- Family fun: Fun Things to Do in Key West with Teens and Tweens
- Where to stay: Discover the Best Family Hotels in Miami
- Beyond the city: Exploring the Sunshine State: Our Favorite Florida Road Trips for Families
SheBuysTravel Tip: You might be surprised to know there’s a public transport option in Florida. The Brightline train connects Miami with Orlando and includes a stop near Hard Rock Stadium
Dallas
Dive into the Texas sunshine in Dallas, where Cowtown spirit meets big-city culture. Visit the interactive Perot Museum of Nature and Science and catch a ride on a vintage McKinney Avenue trolley through town, a fun way to explore on wheels. You’ll find animals at the Dallas Zoo, lots of local eats at the bustling Dallas Farmers Market and art to admire in the world-class arts district.
- Family fun: 15 Best Dallas Museums Just Right for Families
- Where to stay: Kid-Friendly Hotels in Dallas with Pools (and Near Attractions!)
- Beyond the city: Put This North Texas Town on Your Sports Trip Bucket List
SheBuysTravel Tip: Known as “Sports City USA,” Frisco is home to the National Soccer Hall of Fame, PGA Frisco and, opening this spring, Universal Kids Resort.
Kansas City
Kansas City serves up world-famous barbecue and so much more. Wander through the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and stroll through redeveloped Union Station with its kid-friendly science center. Nights are made for music in KC; you’ll find classic jazz at The Blue Room at 18th and Vine. Kansas City is an ideal jumping-off point for exploring America’s heartland, including Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore and the Badlands.
- Family fun: 11 Places You Don’t Want to Miss In Kansas City
- Where to stay: Don’t Fly Over, Stay Over. The Midwest’s Best Resorts
- Beyond the city: Hit the Road: Epic Midwest Road Trips You’ve Gotta Try
SheBuysTravel Tip: Wondering where to pose in Kansas City? Popular backdrops include the giant shuttlecocks on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins or any one of the city’s 200 (!) fountains, second only to Rome.
Seattle
Set on Washington’s Elliott Bay with snow-capped Mount Rainier rising behind, Seattle mixes urban buzz with glorious natural surroundings. For the most amazing 360-degree view, head to the top of the city’s Space Needle. Time your visit to the Pike Place Market correctly and you might catch a flying fish from one of the fishmongers.
The city’s zoo and rose garden are popular with families. Whale watching is an unforgettable coastal activity and the Pacific Northwest’s forests and mountains provide epic landscapes for hikers to explore. For a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, pair your World Cup match with one of the many Alaskan cruises that depart from Seattle.
- Family fun: Top Things to Do in Downtown Seattle, from Must-See Spots to Hidden Gems
- Where to stay: Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Seattle for a Great Pacific NW Stay
- Beyond the city: Best Day Trips From Seattle to Experience the Wonder of the Pacific Northwest USA
SheBuysTravel Tip: “Grey’s Anatomy” fans should head to Kerry Park on Queen Ann Hill for the series’ classic Seattle skyline view of the Space Needle.
San Francisco
In San Francisco and the Bay Area, get ready for postcard views at every turn, from the orange span of the Golden Gate Bridge to charming cable cars zig-zagging through hills. Bike or walk across the bridge, have chowder in a sourdough bowl at Fisherman’s Wharf and take a ferry to the infamous prison, Alcatraz Island. Don’t miss Chinatown’s vibrant streets and the historic Presidio. Yosemite National Park, the giant California redwoods and Napa’s vineyards are great side trips from the City by the Bay.
- Family fun: Fun Things to Do in San Francisco with Teens
- Where to stay: From Tots to Young Adults: Best Hotels for Kids in San Francisco
- Beyond the city: 11 Awesome West Coast National Park Trips
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re traveling between San Francisco and Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, detour through Half Moon Bay. It’s a relatively sleepy Pacific Coast town with a strollable Main Street and great farm-to-table restaurants.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles has golden beaches, world-renowned museums and legendary film-related attractions like the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Kitschy must-dos include placing your hands in your favorite actor’s prints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Watch surfers in Santa Monica (the end of Route 66, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026), explore funky Venice and luxe Beverly Hills.
Indulge in everything from tacos to upscale cuisine. Remain alert. You never know if you’ll bump into a celebrity. Popular road trips from LA include heading south to San Diego, north to California’s Central Coast and west to Palm Springs and Las Vegas.
- Family fun: Incredibly Fun Things to Do with Kids in Los Angeles
- Where to stay: Best Los Angeles Family Hotels to Soak Up the Sun
- Beyond the city: Hidden Gems in Southern California – A Local’s Guide
SheBuysTravel Tip: Temecula, the wine region between LA and San Diego, has rolling vineyards, golf courses, a casino and morning skies are filled with colorful hot air balloons in flight.
Atlanta
Atlanta is home to the world’s busiest airport and the World of Coca-Cola. Walk in the historic footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn about the Civil Rights movement in the US. Stroll leafy neighborhoods and BeltLine trails between meals at chef-driven Southern restaurants and global food halls. Have extra time? Escape to the mountains along the Tennessee/Georgia border for waterfall hikes or check out Savannah and coastal retreats like Jekyll Island.
- Family fun: Exploring Buckhead, Atlanta’s High-End Neighborhood
- Where to stay: Where to Stay in Atlanta with Kids
- Beyond the city: Southern Hospitality on Four Wheels: Charming Road Trips in America’s Southeast
SheBuysTravel Tip: The Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia state lines converge in Blue Ridge, a charming mountain town, about 100 miles from Atlanta.
World Cup US Host Cities Travel Guide FAQ
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with matches hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Most U.S. and Canadian travelers are planning stays of about 10 nights, while many international visitors are staying even longer.
Each host city offers iconic attractions beyond match day. For example, in New York, rowboats in Central Park and skyline views are musts. Many travelers will also add beach time, national parks or regional road trips.
Yes. More than half of World Cup travelers are planning family or group trips. Host cities feature kid-friendly museums, zoos, beaches and interactive attractions.
Look for bundled sightseeing passes in major cities. In New York City, for example, CityPASS offers discounted admission to top attractions like the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History. Booking early, staying near stadiums and adding nearby road trips can also help maximize your travel budget and time.
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