Collage of soccer figures icons and country flags including Christian Jones symbolizing global soccer culture and World Cup themes
Credit: Getty Images. Illustration by Selman Hoşgör
UNITED STATES
ATLANTA
Hosting eight games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Falcons. Key dates include two group-stage matches, on June 15 and 21, which will feature perennial favorite Spain.
Local Intel“Atlanta is an epicenter for sports,” says Hector Santiago, the chef and owner of El Super Pan, a Spanish-Caribbean restaurant with multiple locations around the city. “Over the past decade, we’ve emerged as a soccer capital—thanks to Atlanta United’s MLS Cup win in 2018.”
Where to Eat207 Peachtree is a restaurant-and-bar complex inside a refurbished downtown department store. Ponce City Market is a buzzy dining and shopping destination, situated along the Beltline rail trail.—P.B.
BOSTON
Hosting seven games at Gillette Stadium, home of the NFL’s New England Patriots, which is in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Key dates include June 26, when France, the runner- up in the 2022 World Cup, plays Norway.
Beyond the Pitch
Boston is going all out for the semiquincentennial, with a slate of America250 events in July. One notable exhibition will be “Road to Revolution,” a detailed look at the role Massachusetts played in the American Revolution; it’s on view at the Old State House through January 2027.
Getting TherePark on-site, if you dare, or take the MBTA’s Commuter Rail, which will run express service from the city’s easily accessible South Station.—E.C.
DALLAS
Hosting nine games at AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Cowboys, which is in Arlington, Texas. Key dates include one of two semifinal games, which is slated for July 14. All 96 contests will be broadcast at a huge FIFA Fan Festival in the southern portion of Fair Park.
Local Intel
“The entire DFW Metroplex is going to be buzzing with excitement,” says Linda Scroggins, the Frisco, Texas–based CEO and founder of Affluent Luxury Travel. She’s particularly fond of the restaurants and nightlife venues in Sundance Square, in Fort Worth, and has recommended the Hôtel Swexan and the Joule, both in Dallas, to her clients, in part because of their excellent restaurants and bars.
Getting There
“Rideshares, taxis, and hotel shuttles are recommended,” Scroggins says, since the stadium isn’t served by public transit. She’s advising clients to get to games three hours early to allow for any unexpected traffic delays.—P.B.
HOUSTON
Hosting seven games at NRG Stadium, home of the NFL’s Texans. Key dates include June 14, when Germany will play Curaçao; powerhouse Portugal has two games here, on June 17 and 23.
Where to Eat
Tackling Houston’s sprawling, diverse food scene requires a bracket of its own. For a taste of the city’s New Asian cuisine, have dinner at Agnes & Sherman, an upscale diner recently named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant, then wander down the street to Jūn for creative cocktails.
Beyond the PitchAn hour’s drive from Houston, Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth, the federal holiday. This year, the city will celebrate with an installation of giant painted soccer balls, including one by Texas-based artist Ted Ellis, whose work will draw from Black history.—E.C.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Hosting six games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Chiefs. Key dates include two group-stage games which feature contenders: reigning champs Argentina play Algeria on June 16, while the Netherlands face Tunisia on June 25.
For the Fans
The official FIFA Fan Festival will happen at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, but soccer isn’t the only sport on this summer. The Royals will host their cross-state rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, on June 18, 19, and 21, at Kauffman Stadium; the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is another must for fans of the game.
Beyond the pitch
The KCK Taco Trail is a network of more than 50 taquerias on the Kansas side of the state line.—P.B.
LOS ANGELES
Hosting eight games at SoFi Stadium, home of the NFL’s Chargers and Rams, which is in Inglewood, California. Key dates include games featuring the U.S. Men's National Team, which plays Paraguay on June 12 and Turkey on June 25. A quarterfinal game is slated for July 10.
Where to Eat
In Inglewood, try Dulan’s Soul Food for quintessential South-Central eats. Close by, hit Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen before the game and Three Weavers Brewing Co. after.
Beyond the Pitch
“Destination Crenshaw is going to open later this year, with the largest public art exhibition in the nation devoted to Black and African-American art,” says Adam Burke, CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art will host “Fútbol Is Life” through July 26. And the Dodgers have a home stand June 15–17.
Getting There Game-day shuttles will run from the new LAX/Metro Transit Center, which connects to Metro Rail’s C and K lines.—M.K.L.
MIAMI
Hosting seven games at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dolphins, which is in Miami Gardens, Florida. Key dates include a June 27 match up betweeen a formidable Colombia team and Portugal, as well as Jul7 18, when Miami hosts the Bronze Final game.
For the Fans
The exhibition “Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture” runs through August 23 at Pérez Art Museum Miami. It will gather contemporary works such as a multimedia depiction of tennis legend Billie Jean King’s memorable 1973 defeat of Bobby Riggs, along with artifacts including vintage Nike sneakers and McLaren steering wheels.
Getting There
The regional Brightline train—which links Miami with Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and West Palm Beach—will run match-day service.—E.C.
NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Hosting eight games at MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets, which is in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Key dates include June 13, when Brazil plays Morocco , and June 16, when France faces Senegal. The tournament final will be here on July 19.
Getting to the GameTraveling to the stadium is a headache, no matter how you go, but NJ Transit trains are usually reliable and affordable—though just how much you'll actually pay for a ticket to World Cup games remains up in the air. A recent controversy over $150-per-person fares sparked global headlines; tickets are now said to cost $105 each.
Beyond The PitchJune may be the best time to visit New York, whether you’re seeing a Broadway show like Chess, catching the Yankees at home (June 16–21), or taking a sunset sail past the Statue of Liberty on a Classic Harbor Line schooner. Official fan festivals will pop up at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in Queens, and at Rockefeller Center, in Manhattan.—P.B.
PHILADELPHIA
Hosting six games at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL’s Eagles. Key dates include June 19, when Brazil plays Haiti, and June 22, when France will face Iraq.
Where to Eat
Philly has emerged as one of the nation’s top dining destinations. Her Place Supper Club is still one of the hottest tables in town; chef Amanda Shulman has also opened the more accessible My Loup and Pine Street Grill with partner Alex Kemp. Other in-demand spots include Mawn, La Jefa, and Vetri Cucina.
Getting to the Game
There’s no simpler, more cost-efficient way to reach the action than taking the SEPTA Metro B line to the stadium.—P.B.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
Hosting six games at Levi’s Stadium, home of the NFL’s 49ers, which is in Santa Clara, California. One of the tourney’s first games, between 2022 host Qatar and Switzerland, is on June 13.
Beyond the Pitch
In San Francisco, several new parks have opened in recent years, including Presidio Tunnel Tops, a 14-acre expanse with Golden Gate Bridge views, and Bayfront Park, near the Chase Center, where the Golden State Warriors play. Meanwhile, the Bay Lights, an art installation that has been dark since 2023, is back and illuminating the Bay Bridge between San Francisco and Oakland.
Getting to the Game
Cities on the peninsula, including Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and San Jose, are much closer to Levi’s Stadium than S.F. proper. The venue is served by convenient game-day rail service operated by the Valley Transportation Authority.—P.B.
SEATTLE
Hosting six games at Lumen Field, home of the NFL’s Seahawks. The key date to watch is June 19, when the U.S. plays Australia.
Local Intel
“The Unity Loop is a curated pedestrian experience connecting Lumen Field to many of the city’s neighborhoods, including Pioneer Square, SoDo, Chinatown-International District, the waterfront, the Space Needle, Capitol Hill, and the Central District,” says Nadia Flusche, the sports economy lead at the Alliance for Pioneer Square. “The intention is to create a natural walking loop that also encourages explorers to visit local shops.”
Get in the Spirit
The World Table District has 30 locally owned independent restaurants specializing in the cuisines of East Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia, situated along—what else?—International Boulevard.—P.B.
HOW TO GET TICKETS
The presale phase ended in February, and while resale marketplaces may offer deals, the smartest play for last-minute seats is with On Location, the official hospitality partner for the event. It offers multiple game bundles and can secure lounge access, among other perks.
A composite image featuring the FIFA World Cup trophy soccer players and related elements like stadiums and national flags
A composite image featuring the FIFA World Cup trophy soccer players and related elements like stadiums and national flags
MEXICO
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
Hosting four games at Estadio Akron, home of CD Guadalajara, which is in Zapopan. One key date is June 18, when Mexico will be the “away” team in a game against South Korea.
Local Intel
“El Habanero Negro has some of the best tacos in town,” says Ray Isle, the executive wine editor of Food & Wine, who just got back from the city. “The chef’s counter at Restaurante Alcalde is a deep dive into contemporary Mexican cooking.”
Beyond the Pitch
Tequila tourism is huge in Jalisco; start at El Gallo Altanero, which is among the world’s best tequila bars.—P.B.
MONTERREY, MEXICO
Hosting four games at Estadio BBVA, home of CF Monterrey, which is in Guadalupe. A key date to plan around is June 29, when a round-of-32 game could feature Brazil, the Netherlands, or Japan, depending on the results of group-stage play.
Beyond the Pitch
The capital of Nuevo León, the mountainous state in Mexico’s northeast, Monterrey is one of the biggest cities in the country—but one that visitors often overlook in favor of coastal destinations. Airlines like American and Delta have added flights in recent years, making it easier to reach the city, which is just 90 minutes by air from Houston or two hours from Dallas.
For the Fans
One of the biggest attractions here is Fundidora Park, a one-time steel foundry that has been converted into a 360-acre public park. It’s filled with historic buildings, museums, and artificial lakes—and will host the FIFA Fan Festival.—P.B.
MEXICO CITY
Hosting five games at Estadio Banorte, also known as Estadio Azteca, home of Club América. Key dates include June 11, when Mexico plays South Africa, and June 24, when the host nation takes on Czechia.
Local Intel
“It’s my favorite city,” says Nes Rueda, who created Manojo Mezcal with Enrique Olvera, the chef of Pujol, one of Mexico’s top restaurants. “I love Mi Compa Chava for Sinaloa-style seafood: birria de pescado and costras de camarón. Ticuchi has an outstanding mezcal lineup and the best tamal de elote ever. Cuerno Masaryk is a Mexican-style steakhouse on the highest level. And Ultramarinos is very special; it’s like a more refined version of Contramar—which is usually my first stop when I land.”
Beyond the Pitch
Numerous hotels have opened across in-demand neighborhoods like Roma Norte and Polanquito, says Journey Mexico founder Zachary Rabinor, a member of the T+L A-List. His firm can organize guides, whether for a walking tour of contemporary art galleries or a visit to Xochimilco, where visitors can picnic on trajineras, flat-bottomed boats that ply the area’s canals.—P.B.
CANADA
TORONTO
Hosting five games at BMO Field, home of Toronto FC. Key dates include June 12, when the host nation will play Bosnia-Herzegovina, and June 20, when Germany takes on Côte d’Ivoire.
Where to Eat
With Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Senegal competing here, this summer is prime time to sample Toronto’s African culinary options. The Scarborough neighborhood is the place to dive in, or stick downtown where Nganda does elevated street food, like chargrilled chicken with jollof rice or fried tuna with attiéké, a cassava “couscous.”
Beyond the Pitch
The last weekend of June, Toronto puts on the world’s second-largest Pride celebration, with 3 million people walking the city’s street fairs, parades, and art pop-ups.—E.C.
VANCOUVER
Hosting seven games at BC Place, home of Whitecaps FC. Key dates inclued June 18, when Canada plays Qatar, and June 24, when the Canadian squad takes on Switzerland.
Local Intel
Indigenous tourism has come to the fore in Vancouver, with outfitters likeTakaya Tours and Talaysay Tours offering a First Nations perspective in places such as Stanley Park and the city’s waterways. The free First Welcome Trail App has self-guided walking tours and details on points of interest around town.
Beyond the Pitch
Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day is on June 21. It promises plenty of activities and events across Vancouver and B.C., which is home to more than 200 First Nations bands, including the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh).—P.B.
A version of this story first appeared in the June 2026 issue of Travel + Leisure, under the headline "Let's Kick It."