Which NFL stadiums will host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches?
(Credit: Atlanta United FC)
The FIFA World Cup will return to the United States in 2026. Though unlike 1994, this time the tournament will be staged at completely new venues.
FIFA announced in New York City on the 16th June the final selected candidates: eleven in the U.S, three in Mexico and two in Canada. From the quarter-final stage, all knockout venues will exclusively be in the States.
Chicago, Denver, Nashville, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Charlotte, Detroit, Phoenix, Tampa, Washington D.C and Baltimore did not make the final cut over two separate stages, with the financial requirements of FIFA proving an obstacle for some cities to meet.
Here is a breakdown of the selected cities and stadia:
Atlanta: Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Boston: Gillette Stadium – Dallas: AT&T Stadium
Capacity: 71,000 – Capacity: 68,000 – Capacity: 80,000
Houston: NRG Stadium – Kansas City: Arrowhead Stadium – Los Angeles: SoFi Stadium
Capacity: 72,000 – Capacity: 76,000 – Capacity: 70,240
Miami: Hard Rock Stadium – New York: MetLife Stadium – Philadelphia: Lincoln Financial Field
Capacity: 64,767 – Capacity: 82,000 – Capacity: 69,769
San Francisco: Levi’s Stadium – Seattle: Lumen Field
Capacity: 68,500 – Capacity: 69,000
The Key Markets
Built adjacent to the Falcon’s old Georgia Dome, Atlanta United FC have been co-tenants at the Mercedes Benz Stadium since their inaugural MLS season in 2017. Owner of both sports franchises, Arthur Blank’s efforts has further cemented Atlanta as a major sports city.
The $1.6 billion dollar stadium is one of the most aesthetically spectacular in the world. It has also broke the MLS attendance record multiple times. This city could be a semi-final venue and International Broadcast Center (IBC), although they face competition from Dallas.
As with everything to do with the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones is all over it. He will reportedly spend whatever is necessary to make the required adjustments to AT&T Stadium for the FIFA World Cup. It’s in the hope of the semi-final or final potentially being hosted there. The stadium can be expanded anywhere from 90-105,000 spectators, making it a prime candidate.
Hard Rock Stadium has been one of the most popular locations for soccer matches, regularly hosting international friendlies to appeal to their large Central and South American communities. The climate and soccer specific style of the venue in Miami Gardens will prove a popular spot for tourists.
SoFI Stadium will have the make improvements like AT&T to squeeze in a pitch that meets FIFA regulations. Besides this, the host of Super Bowl LVI and the 2028 Olympics opening ceremony has proven to be one of the best fan experiences in the whole of sports.
MetLife Stadium will be the favourite to host the final, given its ideal location, time zone and familiarity with hosting big events, like the Copa America Centenario Final in 2016.
The Reliable Choices
The old Foxboro Stadium hosted games for the 1994 World Cup, but was demolished in 2002. Robert Kraft, owner of both the Patriots and New England Revolution, is Honorary Chairman of the Board for the United 2026 Bid. He was extremely influential in the bidding process and will continue to make upgrades; $225 million will be spent on renovations for completion by 2023.
Houston has proven itself as a popular location to host soccer games over many years. NRG Stadium has regularly hosted Gold Cup matches and international fixtures. Seattle’s Lumen Field, shared by the Seahawks and Seattle Sounders, recent CONCACAF Champions League Winners, provides an intimidating atmosphere.
Since opening in 2014, Levi’s Stadium has hosted Super Bowl 50, International Champions Cup games and the 2017 Gold Cup Final. Philadelphia is one of the most culturally important cities in the country, with Lincoln Financial Field embracing a long sporting tradition by hosting important club friendlies and international games since 2003.
Surprise Venue?
Arrowhead, the home of the Kansas City Chiefs is renowned for one the loudest atmospheres in American sports. While being a surprise host selection due to its smaller market and due to its lack of soccer games hosted, it is a central location and links to both coasts of the country well.
The Hunt family founded the Chiefs as well as Sporting Kansas City, where Patrick Mahomes became part of the Sporting Club ownership group in 2021.
All in all, for the first World Cup ever to have 48 teams, FIFA unsurprisingly went with a lucrative bid. Like 1994, it is expected that the average attendance and overall attendance records to be broken. This is thanks to the ready-made, state of the art NFL stadia, which provide a nice compliment to the football specific venues in Mexico and Canada.
