What are the 2026 World Cup venues? All 16 stadiums ranked

What are the 2026 World Cup venues? All 16 stadiums ranked

The quadrennial travelling circus known as the World Cup has graced most, if not all, of football's greatest theatres. The San Siro, the Camp Nou, Wembley, the Allianz Arena, the Maracanã – all are crucibles of footballing history, eyewitnesses to some of the finest drama the international stage has ever seen.

This year, the circus spreads itself thin across the entirety of North America, with grounds in Canada, Mexico and the USA as the venues for the latest edition of football’s greatest tournament.

In total, 16 grounds have been chosen to host the 104 games that are set to be played this summer. Some already have a rich footballing history, while others are relative newcomers to the scene, ready for the first dramatic chapter to be written.

So, which grounds are being used at the tournament, and what can we expect at each and every one of them?

The AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas, USA

With a capacity of almost 95,000, the AT&T Stadium is by far and away the biggest stadium of those selected to host the tournament. In total, it is set to field nine matches, including one of the two semi-finals, and sides playing there will have the benefit of a high-tech retractable roof, shielding players from any adverse playing conditions.

Everything you need to know about Dallas Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup 📍 pic.twitter.com/bNSMWSeRJB

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 28, 2026

Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico

A ground woven into the fabric of World Cup history, the 87,500-capacity Azteca is one of football’s legendary grounds. Witness to Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” combo against England in 1986, it is the first ground to ever be used at three separate World Cups. At 2,200 metres above sea level, expect the fatiguing effect of altitude to play a big part in games hosted here.

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA

The chosen venue for the final, the MetLife Stadium is the epitome of USA riches. Strapped with blinding LED lights, retractable seating and gigantic screens used for replays and fan interaction, the $1.6 billion stadium was the most expensive venue in the United States at the time of its completion in 2010. It's a fitting venue for all eight matches to be played here and the ideal stage for a grand finale.

🚨 FIFA have chosen to stage the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium — an American football venue. 🇺🇸

Instead of using Estadio Azteca, where legends like Pelé and Maradona lifted the trophy. 🇲🇽

Do you think they've made the right decision? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/UyFTxBZJNA

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 30, 2026

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Home to the Kansas City Chiefs NFL side, Arrowhead Stadium is a cauldron of noise. Though its capacity of 75,000 is considerably less than some of its larger counterparts, it is the Guinness World Record holder for the loudest outdoor stadium, with Chiefs fans hitting a deafening 142.2 decibels back in 2014. Expect this ground to produce the most electric atmospheres at the tournament.

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Set to host a further eight matches, the 75,000-capacity arena is a spectacular, futuristically shaped stadium that captures your imagination from every angle. Having already hosted the 2019 Super Bowl, it is no stranger to hosting big sporting events, and with the other semi-final being played here, its audacious shape and attention-seeking design will grace TV screens across the world once again. Like the AT&T Stadium, it also boasts a retractable roof.

Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium has officially been rebranded by FIFA as "Atlanta Stadium" for the World Cup.

This is what the redesign of its exterior looks like.pic.twitter.com/EJZKAxRjQz

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 26, 2026

NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA

With a capacity sitting at 72,000, NRG Stadium is a brightly lit, modern entrant into the lineage of World Cup hosting venues. Boasting high-tech climate control inside the stadium and a retractable roof, it is no surprise that the arena has hosted two Super Bowls, a Wrestlemania and a host of Copa America fixtures.

Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California, USA

The marginally bigger of two California-based stadiums, the Levi’s Stadium can hold just shy of 71,000 people, which, while small in the context of other stadiums used for the tournament, would make it the second largest in the Premier League, trailing only Old Trafford. Puts things in perspective, eh? Set to host six games.

SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, USA

Though in normal form the venue hosts around 70,000 people, the SoFi Stadium boasts the ability to expand its capacity to almost 100,000 for major events, something I’m sure the American FA will encourage for the United States’ group opener against Paraguay. On the hot, sunny, dry west coast, this is another ground that will take players to their absolute limits, not helped by the infinite glass panels around the roof that will turn the football pitch into a greenhouse.

Meet the SoFi Stadium...

It's World Cup ready. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/s4JZakESpM

— World Cup HQ (@WorldCup26HQ) May 28, 2026

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Home of the Philadelphia Eagles, the Lincoln Financial Field can hold in excess of 69,000 people, and it already has plenty of footballing pedigree, having hosted eight games at last year's Club World Cup, as well as the 2003 Women's World Cup. Six games are destined to be played out here, including a round of 16 fixture.

Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington, USA

69,000 capacity Lumen Field is an imposing ground. Banked by precipitously steep stands and known for some of the loudest crowds around, it creates a unique atmosphere that can decide games, regardless of sport, by itself. Further north along the west coast than the California-based grounds, the more temperate climate should provide us with some of the highest-quality football of the tournament.

Apple Maps now lists Lumen Field as “Seattle Stadium” for the FIFA World Cup as the venue undergoes a nearly $20M makeover. pic.twitter.com/eDYq18lOZd

— SEATTLESUBMISSIONS (@SEATTLESUBMISS) May 23, 2026

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachussets, USA

Home to both MLS side New England Revolution and the New England Patriots is the definitive American football stadium. Extremely open, rounded at the sides, and with excellent view points from wherever you’re sitting, it is the perfect ground for World Cup football. Set to host seven games.

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, USA

A spectacular, hulking figure that hangs over the likes of the Miami Masters event as well as the Miami Grand Prix, the Hard Rock Stadium does what it says on the tin – it delivers drama. Though it is the smallest American stadium to be hosting a game with a capacity of 70,000, it punches above its weight and has managed to land the right to be the venue for the third/fourth place play-off.

Hard Rock Stadium, which will be called Miami Stadium, has installed the final sod roll for the World Cup.

Saudi Arabia and Uruguay will be the first teams to play on the pitch on June 15. pic.twitter.com/OM14WIMbCd

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 27, 2026

BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

One of two Canadian grounds in the lineup, BC Place is a rare, purpose-built football stadium, standing out from its American football-orientated co-hosts. Home of the Vancouver Whitecaps, it is an immediately recognisable ground, made so by the giant, four-sided LED screen hanging above the centre circle. For the architects amongst you, you’ll be interested to know that it boasts the world's largest cable-supported retractable roof.

Estadio BBVA, Monterrey, Mexico

Back in Mexico now to a ground known locally as “El Gigante de Acero”, or “Steel Giant". Estadio BBVA is backdropped by achingly beautiful scenery courtesy of the mountainous Cumbres de Monterrey National Park. Home to Monterrey FC (obviously), this 53,400-capacity ground is an exotic, characterful addition to the list of World Cup venues.

Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico

Rimmed by a steeply sloping bank of grass in a deliberate volcano-like design due to its natural surroundings, the Estadio Akron is another weird but wonderful venue. Just over half the size of the AT&T Stadium with a capacity of 48,000, Akron won’t win any prizes for biggest crowds, but it does offer an intimate, intense fan experience.

¡YA SE ALISTA EL ESTADIO GUADALAJARA PARA EL MUNDIAL! 🤩👏🏻

Los trabajos para poner más guapo de lo normal al Estadio de Chivas para su primer mundial continúan y ahora fueron las letras de las afueras que anteriormente decían Estadio Akron, las cuales ya fueron retiradas para… pic.twitter.com/TZBUAhdUrK

— Ledezmismo (APUESTAS DE LIGUILLA) (@Ledezmismo) May 21, 2026

BMO Field, Toronto, Canada

The smallest stadium to host a World Cup game this year, BMO Field holds just a measly 45,736 people. However, thanks to its high-rising, steel-supported roofs and open build at both ends, it is still quite the spectacle despite its puny size. Purpose built for the World Cup, the six games set to be host here will write the first chapter of what will no doubt be a storied football history at the ground.