The World’s Biggest Game is Taking Over These Cities in Summer 2026
| Table of Contents 1. New York City 2. Boston 3. Philadelphia 4. Miami 5. Los Angeles 6. San Francisco Bay Area |
In the summer of 2026, the global gaze shifts to the United States as the FIFA World Cup™ takes over North America. With 103 matches played across iconic metropolises, the scale of this event is unprecedented.
While the action happens on the pitch, the real magic of the tournament lies in the host cities. From the sun-drenched beaches of Miami to the historic cobblestone streets of Boston and the electric skyline of New York City, Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts offers the perfect home base in every major soccer hub.
Here is your guide to experiencing the FIFA World Cup™ like a local.
New York City: The Epicenter of the Finals
New York City isn’t just a host; it’s the site of the tournament final. MetLife Stadium (rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium) will host eight matches, including the crowning championship game.
The Matches
Group Stage Fixtures
June 13, 2026: Group C – Brazil vs. Morocco
June 16, 2026: Group I – France vs. Senegal
June 22, 2026: Group I – Norway vs. Senegal
June 25, 2026: Group E – Ecuador vs. Germany
June 27, 2026: Group L – Panama vs. England
Round of 32 Fixtures
June 30, 2026: Match 77 – Group I Winners vs. Group C/D/F/G/H Third Place
Round of 16 Fixtures
July 5, 2026: Match 91 – Winner Match 76 vs. Winner Match 78
Final
July 19, 2026: Match 104 – Winner Match 101 vs. Winner Match 102
The Home Base
Stay in the heart of the action at Aliz Hotel Times Square or Hotel 48LEX. For a more residential feel with skyline views, head across the bridge to NU Hotel Brooklyn or The Tillary.
Fan Celebrations
The NYNJ region will feature three massive flagship destinations for fans:
FIFA Fan Festival™ at Liberty State Park (June 11 – July 19)
The official epicenter of the celebration. Set against the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, this Jersey City landmark will host live match screenings, headline concerts, and celebrity appearances.
Fan Village at Rockefeller Center (July 4 – 19)
Located in the heart of Midtown, the iconic ice rink will transform into a vibrant soccer pitch surrounded by large screens for live broadcasts. The celebration extends across the entire three-block campus, including the Top of the Rock.
Fan Zone Queens (June 17 – 28)
Hosted at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, this “World’s Borough” celebration offers an immersive experience for families and diverse global communities.
Transit Tip
Skip the tunnels. Take the Meadowlands Express bus from Port Authority or the NJ Transit rail service from Penn Station for a direct drop-off at the stadium.
Boston: Where History Meets the Global Stage
Neighboring Foxborough will host seven matches at Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium), including a high-stakes quarterfinal. Boston offers a peaceful, walkable sanctuary away from the stadium frenzy.
The Matches
Group Stage Fixtures
June 13, 2026: Group C – Haiti vs. Scotland
June 16, 2026: Group I – Bolivia/Iraq/Suriname vs. Norway
June 19, 2026: Group C – Scotland vs. Morocco
June 23, 2026: Group L – England vs. Ghana
June 26, 2026: Group I – Norway vs. France
Round of 32 fixtures
June 29, 2026: Match 74 – Group E Winners vs. Group A/B/C/D/F Third Place
Quarterfinal Fixtures
July 9, 2026: Match 97 – Winner Match 89 vs. Winner Match 90
The Home Base
The Envoy Hotel in the Seaport District offers floor-to-ceiling harbor views and a world-class rooftop bar. At Boston Harbor Hotel, experience five-star luxury and iconic waterfront elegance along Rowes Wharf. For a classic, refined stay near the historic Freedom Trail, choose The Whitney Hotel in Beacon Hill.
Fan Celebrations
While official sites like Boston Common or City Hall Plaza are expected to host tournament-long festivals, Boston’s celebrations will spill into every neighborhood, coinciding with Sail Boston (July 11–16).
Transit Tip
Take the MBTA Commuter Rail from South Station directly to Foxboro Station, a stress-free 1-hour journey that beats the match-day traffic.
Philadelphia: The City of Brotherly Love (and Big Energy)
Philadelphia will host six matches at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium). In 2026, the city pulls double duty as it also celebrates America’s 250th birthday.
The Matches
Group Stage Fixtures
June 14, 2026: Group E – Côte d’Ivoire vs. Ecuador
June 19, 2026: Group C – Brazil vs. Haiti
June 22, 2026: Group I – France vs. Bolivia/Iraq/Suriname
June 25, 2026: Group E – Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire
June 27, 2026: Group L – Croatia vs. Ghana
Round of 16 Fixtures
July 4, 2026: Match 89 – Winner Match 74 vs. Winner Match 77
The Home Base
The Rittenhouse Hotel provides luxury without pretense, situated right on the city’s most famous square.
Fan Celebrations
Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park will host the official Fan Festival. This 46-acre site offers skyline views, food trucks, and a nonstop celebration walkable from Center City.
Transit Tip
Use SEPTA’s Broad Street Line; it’s a quick 20-minute ride that delivers you straight to the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.
Miami: An Electric Coastal Celebration
With a massive international population and a deep-rooted soccer culture, Miami will be one of the tournament’s most vibrant hosts, featuring seven matches at Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium) and the third-place play-off.
The Matches
Group Stage Fixtures
June 15, 2026: Group H – Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay
June 21, 2026: Group H – Group Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde
June 24, 2026: Group C – Scotland vs. Brazil
June 27, 2026: Group K – Colombia vs. Portugal
Round of 32 Fixtures
July 3, 2026: Match 86 – Group J Winners vs. Group H Runners-Up
Quarterfinal Fixtures
July 11, 2026: Match 99 – Winner Match 91 vs. Winner Match 92
Bronze Final
July 18, 2026: Match 103 – Runner-Up Match 101 vs. Runner-Up Match 102
The Home Base
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club in Miami Beach. This Art Deco landmark offers oceanfront relaxation and two sparkling pools to help you unwind between games.
Fan Celebrations
Head to Bayfront Park for the 23-day Fan Festival. This tropical celebration features beachy vibes, giant screens, and Royal Caribbean-sponsored interactive fan zones overlooking the water.
Transit Tip
The fastest way to the pitch is the Brightline high-speed rail to Aventura Station, which offers a complimentary shuttle directly to the gates. For a more direct route, look for the Uber Shuttle, a fixed-fare shared coach that runs from specific hubs in Miami Beach.
Los Angeles: Hollywood Star Power
Catch eight matches in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium), including the U.S. Men’s National Team in their opening match. With icons like Snoop Dogg and Magic Johnson serving as host ambassadors, expect a heavy dose of glamour.
The Matches
Group Stage Fixtures
June 12, 2026: Group D – USA vs. Paraguay
June 15, 2026: Group G – IR Iran vs. New Zealand
June 18, 2026: Group B – Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina/Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales
June 21, 2026: Group G – Belgium vs. IR Iran
June 25, 2026: Group D – Kosovo/Romania/Slovakia/Türkiye vs. USA
Round of 32 Fixtures
June 28, 2026: Match 73 – Group A Runners-Up vs. Group B Runners-Up
July 2, 2026: Match 84 – Group H Winners vs. Group J Runners-Up
Quarterfinal Fixtures
July 10, 2026: Match 98 – Winner Match 93 vs. Winner Match 94
The Home Base
The Ambrose Hotel in Santa Monica. Staying on the Westside allows you to enjoy the beach and wellness scene while avoiding the worst of the downtown gridlock.
Fan Celebrations
The historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum transforms into the Fan Festival (June 11–15). Additionally, nine official Fan Zones will pop up across the region, including Venice Beach, The Original Farmers Market, and West Harbor.
Transit Tip
Reach the stadium in 25–35 minutes via rideshare, or use the Metro E Line (Expo) to connect with stadium shuttles.
The Bay Area: Silicon Valley Innovation
Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco Bay Area Stadium) will serve as the hub for six matches in the San Francisco Bay Area, bringing the FIFA World Cup™ to the heart of the world’s tech capital.
The Matches
Group Stage Fixtures
June 13, 2026: Group B – Qatar vs. Switzerland
June 16, 2026: Group J – Austria vs. Jordan
June 19, 2026: Group D – Kosovo/Romania/Slovakia/Türkiye vs. Paraguay
June 22, 2026: Group J – Jordan vs. Algeria
June 25, 2026: Group D – Paraguay vs. Australia
Round of 32 Fixtures
July 1, 2026: Match 81 – Group D Winners vs. Group B/E/F/I/J Third Place
The Home Base
Hotel Nia in Menlo Park. Located centrally between San Francisco and San Jose, it offers a resort-style retreat with a Mediterranean-inspired pool scene.
Fan Celebrations
While official San Francisco festival sites are still being finalized, fans can head to Santa Clara for the Global Games Food Trail. Use the official digital Food Trail Pass to “check in” at over 20 local restaurants and earn points toward exclusive rewards and prizes between matches.
Transit Tip
Take the Caltrain south to Mountain View and transfer to the VTA Light Rail for a direct, traffic-free entrance to the stadium.
Essential Travel Tips for 2026
Book 6–12 Months Early
With millions of fans descending on these cities, hotel rooms in prime neighborhoods like the Seaport (Boston), Times Square (NYC), and Rittenhouse Square (Philly) will sell out first.
Download Transit Apps
Each city has its own payment system (OMNY in NYC, SEPTA Key in Philly, CharlieCard in Boston). Most now accept contactless mobile payments—”tap and go” is your best friend.
Plan for Downtime
The tournament schedule is designed with 3–4 day gaps between matches in each city. Use this time to explore the regions beyond the stadiums—these cities are destinations in their own right.
Ready to be part of history? Whether you’re traveling for the FIFA World Cup™ or exploring the festivals, anniversaries, and cultural moments that make 2026 a once-in-a-generation year, Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts puts you at the center of it all.