How To Secure Tickets And Plan Ahead For The 2026 FIFA World Cup

Event tourism has exploded in recent years, with travelers increasingly planning their trips around major sporting events, concerts, and festivals. Specifically, though, when it comes to sports tourism, few events out there capture global attention and excitement quite like the FIFA World Cup. Plus, with nail-biting matches known for their electric atmosphere, passionate fans, and unforgettable viral moments, it's no wonder so many diehard football fans from around the world are already planning their 2026 World Cup adventures. Add to the fact that, for the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the 2026 tournament will be held across a whopping three countries — the U.S., Mexico, and Canada — and you've got a recipe for history-making and a tourism boom that'll be sure to break records.

Happening from June 11 to July 19, 2026, 104 matches will unfold across 16 cities throughout North America — with the majority of them taking place in 11 U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. Meanwhile, Mexico will host matches in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey; and Canadian games will be split between Toronto and Vancouver. As for the two main events — the kick-off game and final match — these will take place in Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca and New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, respectively.

Although official tickets won't go on sale until late 2025, there are several steps you can take now to boost your chances of scoring seats. First, it's worth noting that the ticketing process typically unfolds in four phases: the initial lottery, followed by first-come-first-served sales once teams are drawn, then another lottery round, and a final direct sales period.

That said, your best bet is to create a FIFA account now and register for ticket updates through their official portal. That way, you'll know exactly what to expect and will get the most up-to-date information. To maximize your chances, you can also encourage the other football fans in your life to sign up and apply for tickets as well. Per FIFA's rules, each person can be a "main applicant" with their own guest list, which increases everyone's odds of securing tickets.

For fans interested in a more premium experience, FIFA has partnered with On Location to deliver exclusive hospitality packages for the 2026 World Cup. And while these certainly come at a much higher price point than standard tickets (roughly $950), they include additional perks like premium seating, dedicated lounges, gourmet food and drink, and VIP parking. Specific packages will be revealed closer to the event. Fans who are interested in snagging one of these can currently put down a $500 refundable deposit per seat through the official website to gain early access before the public sale begins.

Although planning this far in advance might seem excessive, it's always best to start early — especially when it comes to the World Cup. You know what they say: The early bird gets the better hotel room. Plus, with millions of fans expected to travel across North America for the games, hotels and other accommodations near match venues will likely see prices soar as the tournament approaches. As a tip, skip the non-refundable accommodation and consider booking refundable rooms early in your preferred host cities. You can also look into alternative options — like larger vacation rentals or Airbnbs instead of traditional hotels — where you can split the cost with others. If you're planning to attend matches in different cities, research transportation links now — whether that's domestic flights, train routes, or car rentals. 

Alternatively, luxury travel providers like the company Roadtrips can be a good option for hassle-free planning. For the 2026 event, and with prices for a three-night package starting from $2,165, the white-glove service includes customized packages for any city or match day, with options to follow specific teams or focus on knockout rounds. Lastly, remember that crossing borders between the three host countries will require proper documentation. That said, make sure your passport will remain valid all the way through January 2027 if you plan to attend the final match.