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. Los Angeles 5. Dallas |
In the summer of 2026, the global gaze shifts to the United States as the FIFA World Cup™ takes over North America. With 104 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 historic cobblestone streets of Boston to 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 – France vs. Sweden
Round of 16 Fixtures
July 5, 2026: Match 91 – Brazil vs. Norway
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 6 – 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 11 – 27)
Hosted at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, this Group Stage HQ offers an immersive experience for families and diverse global communities.
Transit Tip
Do not count on the regular Meadowlands Express (Route 351) bus—it is completely suspended for World Cup matches. Instead, pre-book a one-seat ride on the Official NYNJ Stadium Shuttle directly from Port Authority Bus Terminal, or take NJ Transit from Penn Station and transfer at Secaucus Junction to the matchday-only train.
Both transit options require pre-purchased transportation passes, and staff will verify your physical match ticket before allowing you to board. If you opt for rideshare, be prepared for an unexpected 1.3-mile walk from the off-site drop-off lot at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment to the stadium gates.
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 – Iraq 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 – Germany vs. Paraguay
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
The official FIFA Fan Festival™ Boston will transform Boston City Hall Plaza (1 City Hall Square) into a vibrant football hub from June 12-27. This central hub features a Cultural Showcase highlighting local artists, curated food programs, and giant broadcast screens. The city’s energy will seamlessly blend into the surrounding historic blocks, coinciding wonderfully with Sail Boston (July 11–16).
Transit Tip
Take the MBTA Commuter Rail special event service from South Station directly to Foxboro Station, or pre-book a seat on the official Boston Stadium Express Bus departing from regional hubs. For both options, tickets must be purchased well in advance, and you will not be permitted to purchase transit tickets or board without showing proof of a valid, same-day FIFA match ticket. Rideshares and private vehicles face heavy restrictions, so public transportation is your best bet to beat the gridlock.
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. Iraq
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 – Paraguay vs. France
The Home Base
The Rittenhouse Hotel provides luxury without pretense, situated right on the city’s most famous square.
Fan Celebrations
Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park will host the official, free FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia for all 39 days of the tournament (June 11 – July 19). This gorgeous site offers skyline views, food trucks, local creative vendors, and a nonstop celebration walkable from Center City via a dedicated walking path extending right past the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. You can also hitch a ride on the Philly PHLASH Downtown Loop, which added a dedicated Fan Fest drop-off stop at Pennsylvania and Fairmount Avenues with extended evening hours on match days.
Transit Tip
Use SEPTA’s Broad Street Line for a quick 20-minute ride straight to the South Philadelphia Sports Complex via NRG Station. While your standard fare applies on the way to the game, the city and sponsors are providing entirely free rides home from NRG Station beginning at halftime and running until two hours after the final whistle.
If you opt for rideshare, note that drop-offs and pick-ups are strictly prohibited near the stadium footprint; instead, use the designated drop-off zones located at Fairmount Avenue (between 22nd and 23rd Street) or outside the Philadelphia Zoo on 34th Street.
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. Wales
June 21, 2026: Group G – Belgium vs. IR Iran
June 25, 2026: Group D – Slovakia vs. USA
Round of 32 Fixtures
June 28, 2026: Match 73 – South Africa vs. Canada
July 2, 2026: Match 84 – Spain vs. Austria
Quarterfinal Fixtures
July 10, 2026: Match 98 – Winner Match 93 vs. Winner Match 94
The Home Base
The Ambrose Hotel in Santa Monica offers the perfect LA home base. 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 official FIFA Fan Festival™ Los Angeles for an epic opening week celebration running June 11–14. General admission entry is $10 (free for kids under 12). Additionally, major community Fan Zones and packed local watch parties will pop up across the region, including Venice Beach, The Original Farmers Market, and West Harbor.
Transit Tip
Skip rideshares, which face intense matchday surge pricing and are banned from dropping off near the stadium gates. Instead, take advantage of the Metro World Cup Enhanced Service. Nonstop express buses depart every 10 minutes directly from the Downtown Santa Monica Station (just minutes from The Ambrose Hotel) straight to the stadium footprint for a standard fare of $1.75 each way.
Service begins four hours before kickoff and runs for two hours after the final whistle, allowing you to bypass the notorious highway gridlock completely.
Dallas: The Powerhouse of the Tournament
Dallas is set to host more matches than any other city, with nine fixtures scheduled for AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium). As the host of a massive semifinal, the city will be the primary engine driving the tournament’s high-stakes knockout rounds.
The Matches
Group Stage Fixtures
June 14, 2026: Group F – Netherlands vs. Japan
June 17, 2026: Group L – England vs. Croatia
June 22, 2026: Group J – Argentina vs. Austria
June 25, 2026: Group F – Japan vs. Sweden
June 27, 2026: Group J – Jordan vs. Argentina
Round of 32 Fixtures
June 30, 2026: Match 78 – Côte d’Ivoire vs. Norway
July 3, 2026: Match 88 – Australia vs. Egypt
Round of 16 Fixtures
July 6, 2026: Match 93 – Winner Match 83 vs. Spain
Semi-Final Fixtures
July 14, 2026: Match 101 – Winner Match 97 vs. Winner Match 98
The Home Base
Kimpton Harper Hotel offers a sleek, sky-high sanctuary in the heart of Fort Worth’s business district, where you can experience a blend of Texas charm and modern sophistication.
Fan Celebrations
Iconic Fair Park will transform into a 1-million-square-foot FIFA Fan Festival™, featuring giant screens at The Pavilion amphitheater and daily concerts. With a capacity for 35,000 fans, it’s the ultimate home base to catch every match while surrounded by the historic Art Deco architecture of the South Dallas landmark.
Transit Tip
Download the GoPass app to seamlessly navigate the region’s transit. On match days, take the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) from downtown Dallas (Victory Station) or Fort Worth (Central Station) to CentrePort Station, where ticket holders can board a complimentary charter bus directly to the Dallas Stadium Bus Hub. Be sure to budget at least 1.5 hours for this journey, and expect a 10-minute walk from the shuttle drop-off hub to the stadium gates.
If the trains hit maximum capacity on game day, check the app for the Dynamic Charter Buses, which will deploy to pick up ticket holders directly from the main downtown stations.
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, TAP in LA, GoPass in Dallas). 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.