The Golden State will become part of global sports history during the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place June 11 to July 29. For the first time in its 94-year run, the men’s soccer tournament (known as “football” internationally) will have three host countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With a record 48 nations participating in 2026, the World Cup is also expanding to a total of 104 games—14 of which will be played in Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Bay Area, both returning for their second stint as host cities. Matches were previously played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto during the 1994 tournament, which shattered attendance records by more than 1 million and set the bar as the most financially successful event in World Cup history.
If you’re heading to the Golden State for the 2026 World Cup, here’s what to expect at the host stadiums, plus insider tips for navigating your stay in Los Angeles or the Bay Area.
Key dates for the 2026 World Cup
As of October 2024, only the host countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Three additional nations from North and Central America (CONCACAF) will qualify by November 2025, and two other teams will participate in the playoffs held in March 2026.
Europe (UEFA) is the only confederation yet to start qualifying rounds. Teams will compete for 16 guaranteed slots between March 2025 and March 2026. The final draw, where all qualifying teams are assigned opponents and specific match locations, traditionally happens a few months before the World Cup.
2026 World Cup Venues in California
The U.S. men’s national team will kick off the World Cup games in California with a scheduled match on June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles. The team will be playing its third group stage match in L.A. on June 25. If the Americans finish atop their group, the team will play another Golden State game in the Bay Area during the round-of-32 match on July 1.
SoFi Stadium, which opened in 2020, will be making its World Cup debut by hosting a total of eight games. After the U.S. team’s opener, the stadium will host three additional qualifying matches. Group play will conclude at the stadium on June 25 and be followed by two round-of-32 knockouts and a quarter final.
Designed with narrower fields to accommodate its two NFL home teams, the indoor-outdoor facility began renovations in early 2024 to increase its playing area for the World Cup. In addition to replacing concrete in the lower bowl with retractable bleachers that can be rolled back during soccer matches, the stadium will also have a temporary grass field installed during tournament play.
Bay Area games will be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, around 45 miles south of San Francisco. The first game will be played by the Canadian national team on June 13, followed by four more group stage matches and one round-of-32 contest.
Like SoFi, the NFL stadium that’s home to the San Francisco 49ers is undergoing renovations in advance of the World Cup and Super Bowl LX, which will take place in February the same year. An estimated $200 million will be spent on improvement projects, which include technology upgrades, a new club area, remodeled luxury suites, a 4K video board, and an LED field-lighting system.
How to get tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026
You can register your interest now for FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets, though an on-sale date has yet to be announced. Sign up on the FIFA website, where you can create an account to receive information about when and how to apply for tickets.
According to the official bid book submitted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, sales are expected to launch in 2025. Tickets for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar went on sale just 10 months prior to the first game with the lowest tier for visitors starting at $69 and around $11 for Qatari residents. Final match tickets carried a price tag of more than $1,600.
Multiple sales rounds took place in 2022 with opportunities to get tickets through a random draw or first-come, first-served purchasing. Last-minute sales were also held online and over the counter at official FIFA ticketing centers. During each sales phase, fans could choose from several options including individual match tickets, team-specific tickets, and packages that provided access to a combination of matches and stadiums. Conditional tickets, contingent upon your designated team qualifying for the next round of competition, were also available with refunds provided upon elimination.
Official hospitality packages will be available through On Location, including options that include tickets, fan experiences, and accommodations. As with ticket sales, travelers can follow a specific national team or attend matches in more than one city with guaranteed lodging. Additional experiences for non-game days will also be available so fans can experience the city.
When to book flights to California
While it’s often better to book early, especially for international travel, most flights to California for the 2026 World Cup are not yet available. U.S.-based airlines such as Alaska, American, Delta, Jet Blue, and United typically open reservations around 330 days before departure. Booking windows for international airlines may vary, with Air France allowing travelers to book as early as 11 months in advance while British Airways releases flights 355 days out. If you’re hoping to catch the U.S. men’s national team opener in L.A., you can start looking for flights around July 2025.
Traveling to California for the 2026 World Cup
For visitors with tickets to matches at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest option—around 5 miles away. While it’s Southern California’s largest international airport, domestic travelers may also consider nearby airports located within an hour or so from the stadium, including Hollywood Burbank, Long Beach, John Wayne (Orange County), and Ontario.
Levi’s Stadium spectators also have options, the closest being San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), which is about 10 minutes from Santa Clara. San Francisco International Airport and San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport are good alternatives, though travel times may be closer to an hour, depending on traffic.
A visa may be required for international visitors traveling to California. As an alternative to a B2 tourist visa, travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries may be eligible to apply now for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) that is valid for 90 days. Though processing times can be as quick as 72 hours, the anticipated demand ahead of the 2026 World Cup may create delays in approvals.
Getting around Los Angeles and the Bay Area
When visiting L.A., renting a car offers an easy way to explore Southern California’s diverse neighborhoods and landmarks. Those who don’t want to get behind the wheel can opt for an affordable ride on the county’s public transit system. Metrolink’s network of subways, rails, and buses offer service to SoFi Stadium with one-way fares starting at $1.75. Soccer fans staying outside of the immediate area can take the commuter rail into Los Angeles from Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties, then transfer to a stadium line at Union Station.
Levi’s Stadium is close to the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail and bus lines, which connect to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) system that services the greater San Francisco Bay Area. This is the most direct public transit route to see a game, as there’s a light rail station located on the north side of the stadium. Single-ride fares on VTA start at $2.50 for adults, while BART fares are based on the length of trip.
Best Los Angeles neighborhoods to stay in for the World Cup
An LAX-area hotel will be your best bet if the World Cup is the only item on your itinerary. You’ll find dozens of options along the 20-minute route from the airport to SoFi Stadium, including major hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton and budget motels that offer a no-frills, affordable stay.
But with all that Southern California has to offer in terms of activities and attractions, consider staying in a coastal community such as Marina del Rey. It’s around 10 miles from the stadium and offers waterfront views from luxury hotels like the Ritz-Carlton, located on one of the largest recreational marinas in the world. Opportunities to play, dine, and drink abound, from the family-friendly Mother’s Beach cove to the Venice Canals.
Just north of Marina del Rey about 12 miles from SoFi is another seaside gem, Santa Monica. Here you’ll find upscale boutique hotels, nightlife, restaurants, and shops along 3rd Street Promenade, and the iconic Santa Monica Pier, home to Pacific Park’s amusement rides and carnival games.
A South Bay city like Redondo Beach is also a solid option if you’re seeking a more laid-back, family-friendly vibe. Located south of the stadium, the charming surf town has plenty of ocean-view hotels and restaurants—plus, it’s around 8 miles away from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, home to the LA Galaxy, Southern California’s only Major League Soccer team.
Best Bay Area cities to stay in for the World Cup
A hidden gem of the Silicon Valley, Santa Clara is located less than an hour south of San Francisco. Levi’s Stadium is at the north end of the city near other attractions like California’s Great America theme park and the South Bay Shores water park, as well as the Intel Museum that offers a high-tech look at the computing industry. That means there are also plenty of lodging options, including the Hyatt Regency and Hilton, both within walking distance from the stadium.
Another nearby city is San Jose, around 10 minutes south of Levi’s Stadium. You can book boutique accommodations and chains downtown, or stay at the upscale Hotel Valencia on Santana Row, the city’s shopping and dining district. The Winchester Mystery House is just across the street and offers a fun way to pass time before or after your game. Halfway between downtown and Levi’s Stadium is PayPal Park, the home pitch for Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes. Tours are available Monday through Friday by appointment on non-match days.
Whether you’re catching a game in L.A. or the San Francisco Bay Area, start looking for rooms around a year in advance—and be open to staying in nearby cities, as hotels closest to the stadiums may sell out quickly.
