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With three host countries, 16 host cities, 104 matches and a record 48 teams competing, nothing about this year’s FIFA World Cup is small — including the ticket prices.
Still, millions of fans are expected to flock to stadiums, street festivals and bars across Canada, Mexico and the United States from the first kickoff, on June 11 in Mexico City, to the final, on July 19 at New York New Jersey (a.k.a. MetLife) Stadium — like all the venues, temporarily given city-specific names for the tournament.
Whether you’ve saved up for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, or you happened to score tickets in a city you’ve never visited, this guide is for you. It offers basic information about schedules, events, places to gather, how to get around and ideas for what else to do while you’re there.
This World Cup will be a celebration of soccer, of course, but it’s also a tribute to 16 special cities planning big parties, and you are invited.
— Danial Adkison
UNITED STATES
Atlanta
June 15
Spain vs. Cape Verde
June 18
Czech Republic vs. South Africa
June 21
Spain vs. Saudi Arabia
June 24
Morocco vs. Haiti
June 27
Democratic Republic of Congo vs. Uzbekistan
Matches will be shown on big screens at the official fan festival at Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, a 10-minute walk from the stadium. General admission tickets to the fan festival are free, but you can purchase access to V.I.P. areas. Atlanta’s Beltline will also be hosting fan events along 17 miles of trail, great for watch-party hopping.
For lively match-watching atmospheres, check out STATS Brewpub right outside the stadium, Brewhouse Cafe in Little Five Points, Fado Irish Bar in Midtown or Park Tavern in Piedmont Park.
Road closures and congestion will make driving difficult. Instead, try the MARTA, the city’s rail system. New for the Cup, you can now tap to pay ($2.50 one-way), and trains will be running at higher frequency. A new bus rapid transit line (BRT) links downtown to the Beltline as well.
Consider purchasing tickets ahead of time for the city’s other attractions, like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. You can also explore the city’s green spaces, like the Beltline and Piedmont Park, and snap photos of the street art in the Krog Street Tunnel.
— Shannon Sims
Boston
June 13
Haiti vs. Scotland
June 19
Scotland vs. Morocco
June 23
England vs. Ghana
June 26
Norway vs. France
It won’t take long for any visitor to realize Boston is a sports town. That spirit will be on full display from June 12 to 27 at a free festival at City Hall Plaza, where matches will be broadcast live and fans can gather to enjoy food, drinks and live entertainment.
Check out the Banshee in Dorchester; the Phoenix Landing in Cambridge; the Greatest Bar, just steps from TD Garden in the North End; or the nearby Banners Kitchen & Tap. If you prefer an espresso instead of a pint, then head to Caffè dello Sport.
Gillette Stadium is in Foxborough, about 28 miles southwest of downtown Boston. If you want to skip the roughly 35-minute drive, and the traffic, express trains will run directly to Foxboro Station for match ticket holders on each game day, according to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Round-trip tickets are $80. Uber will offer postmatch shuttles back to Boston for $45. You can easily navigate Boston using the city’s subway system, known locally as the “T” ($2.40). Finally, note that Providence, R.I., about 25 miles southwest of Foxborough, is another option for fans looking for a place to stay.
For the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, immerse yourself in history by walking the Freedom Trail, which starts in Boston Common and ends at the Bunker Hill Monument. For some respite from the crowds, the Museum of Fine Art, near the lush Back Bay Fens, is showing an exhibition called “Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination” (through June 28) or check out the waterfront Institute of Contemporary Art, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Finally, learn why Boston is known as the City of Champions, with a visit to TD Garden for a tour of the Sports Museum.
— Derek M. Norman
Dallas
June 14
Netherlands vs. Japan
June 17
England vs. Croatia
June 22
Argentina vs. Austria
June 27
Jordan vs. Argentina
The free FIFA fan festival will take place at Fair Park, home of the State Fair of Texas.
Bars and restaurants in the Deep Ellum neighborhood, near the fan festival, will keep the party going. Check out the scene at Off the Cuff, Craft and Growler or Double Wide. Other sure spots for festive vibes across Dallas include Peticolas Brewing Company, in the Design District, and the Londoner Pub near Southern Methodist University.
AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, about 24 miles from downtown Dallas, and there is no direct train. Fans are being advised to use a public transportation combination: Take the DART rapid transit ($3) to the Trinity Railway Express at Victory Station, and get off the TRE at CentrePort/DFW station (price varies by zone). From there, charter buses (free with a TRE and match ticket) will shuttle fans from a bus hub that is an estimated 10-minute walk to the stadium. Or endure traffic with a rental car or a ride-hailing service. Uber is offering return shuttle service after matches for $45.
Check out the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, which has a special soccer-focused interactive exhibition this summer. Or get some air at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Hit up Deep Ellum, perhaps the coolest neighborhood in Dallas, where you can catch live music or savor late-night tacos, or bike along the Katy Trail, a converted railroad line.
— Shannon Sims
Houston
June 14
Germany vs. Curaçao
June 17
Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of Congo
June 20
Netherlands vs. Sweden
June 23
Portugal vs. Uzbekistan
June 26
Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia
The free, official fan festival (June 11 to July 19) will take place in the East Downtown (EaDo) area, a 15-minute (without traffic) drive from the stadium.
In EaDo, watch parties will also be held at the area’s many bars throughout the tournament, like the soccer-focused Pitch 25 Beer Park or Little Woodrow’s EaDo. Elsewhere, check out Social Beer Garden in Midtown or the Phoenix on Westheimer.
The most popular way to reach the stadium, southwest of downtown, will be the city’s Metro light rail system, which is tap to pay ($1.25). If you also want to explore the city’s diverse food scene, you might use ride-hailing services or rent some wheels to get around car-centric Houston. Parking at the stadium currently starts at $125.
Visitors often love Houston’s museums, like the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, or the Menil Collection, and its dining options, like Viet-Cajun crawfish at Crawfish and Noodles or award-winning Texas barbecue at Truth BBQ. Got moon joy thanks to Artemis II? Space Center Houston, the home of NASA, is about a 40-minute drive southeast of town.
— Shannon Sims
Kansas City
June 16
Argentina vs. Algeria
June 20
Ecuador vs. Curaçao
June 25
Tunisia vs. Netherlands
June 27
Algeria vs. Austria
A free fan festival at the National WWI Museum and Memorial will feature live music and live-streamed matches on 18 select days. General admission passes are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Kansas City has a vibrant bar (and barbecue) scene. Try No Other Pub in the city’s Power and Light District, John’s Big Deck downtown, Strange Days Brewing Company in the River Market neighborhood or KC Bier Co., a beer garden in Waldo.
In addition to RideKC, the city’s public transit system and a free downtown streetcar, the city is also organizing a coach bus system called ConnectKC26 that will connect key locations like Kansas City International Airport, various attractions around the city and Arrowhead Stadium.
Union Station, one stop along the city’s free streetcar, will host a marketplace to showcase businesses, artisans and performers. Hopping on and off this train will also allow you to explore some of Kansas City’s highlights, like street art in the Crossroads Arts District, the Money Museum or the Riverfront Heritage Trail.
— Derek M. Norman
Los Angeles
June 12
U.S.A. vs. Paraguay
June 15
Iran vs. New Zealand
June 18
Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
June 25
Turkey vs. U.S.A.
The city will host multiple fan zones, from Venice Beach to downtown Burbank. The heart of the action will take place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from June 11 to 14. The official community chairman, Snoop Dogg, will help lead this celebration. (Adult tickets are $10; kids under 12 are free.)
Sample the diversity of Los Angeles while cheering on global teams at places like Guelaguetza in Harvard Heights, the Fox and Hounds in Studio City, La Chuperia in Lincoln Heights or Ye Old King’s Head in Santa Monica.
Metro will provide enhanced bus and light rail service ($1.75 each way) as well as park-and-ride options with direct buses to the stadium, in Inglewood, on match days.
Take in the views and fresh air from the Hollywood Hills at Griffith Observatory, peruse art and the exquisite gardens at the Getty Center, or check out the newly opened Los Angeles County Museum of Art building designed by the Pritzker Prize winner Peter Zumthor. Track down your favorite stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or for some thrills, head to Universal Studios or ride the Ferris wheel and enjoy the beach at the Santa Monica Pier.
— Derek M. Norman
Miami
June 15
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay
June 21
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde
June 24
Scotland vs. Brazil
June 27
Colombia vs. Portugal
The free, official fan festival will take place at Bayfront Park, a waterfront oasis in the heart of downtown Miami, from June 13 to July 5. During the World Cup, Lincoln Road, a pedestrian promenade in Miami Beach, will feature interactive soccer zones, youth skill labs and daily pop-ups, as well as live matches screened at open-air cafes.
South Beach will also be a gathering spot with many watch parties spilling out into the street. For more of a bar experience, try Fritz and Franz Bierhaus in Coral Gables, the Auld Dubliner Irish pub or Black Market Miami downtown.
Hard Rock Stadium is in Miami Gardens, about 15 miles north of downtown Miami. The Brightline train runs from downtown or Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach (tickets start at $20) to a station near the stadium. Official shuttles will ferry ticket holders between Aventura Station and the stadium (free). If you want to brave the traffic, you can also drive. Parking must be prepurchased and currently starts around $175. Uber is also offering shuttle service for $45.
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science features a three-level aquarium and a planetarium. Check out street art, galleries and boutiques in the Wynwood arts district or see contemporary art from the likes of Yayoi Kusama and Jean-Michel Basquiat at the Rubell Museum. Savor a Cubano sandwich in Little Havana, or just enjoy people-watching in South Beach.
— Shannon Sims
New York
June 13
Brazil vs. Morocco
June 16
France vs. Senegal
June 22
Norway vs. Senegal
June 25
Ecuador vs. Germany
June 27
Panama vs. England
Fan festivals and events are scheduled to take place at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J.; Rockefeller Center, in Manhattan; and USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. The Adidas Home of Soccer event at Brooklyn Bridge Park will feature watch parties, concerts, D.J.s and more from June 13 to July 19. Fan zones are also planned for Staten Island and the Bronx.
For sports bar action in New York, check out the Football Factory at Legends in Midtown Manhattan; Banter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; Bronx Alehouse in Kingsbridge, the Bronx; La Gran Uruguaya in Jackson Heights, Queens; and Rivercrest and El Basurero in Astoria, Queens. If you’re staying in New Jersey, check out Varitage Brew Works in Bloomfield, Mulligan’s in Hoboken or Don Felix Bar & Restaurant in Elizabeth.
MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, N.J., is about a 20-minute train ride from Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan. NJ Transit service will be available to the stadium from Manhattan, but riders must have a game ticket and fares can be purchased only on the app, according to NJ Transit. Be prepared to pay $98 for round-trip train tickets. Bus shuttles will cost $20 round-trip. Uber will offer $49 shuttle service back to New York City after matches. New York’s subway and bus system costs $3 and runs 24/7.
If you want to take in the whole city with a visit to an observation deck, there are an abundance of options, including One World Observatory, the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Edge NYC, Summit One Vanderbilt. If the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art or the American Museum of Natural History are old hat, check out the newly renovated Frick Collection or the expanded New Museum. Or rent a rowboat and spend a placid (and surprisingly affordable, at $25 to $30 an hour) afternoon on the Lake at Central Park.
— Derek M. Norman
Philadelphia
June 14
Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador
June 25
Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast
June 27
Croatia vs. Ghana
A fan festival will run for all 39 days of the tournament at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park. It is free and open to the public, but requires registration.
Check out sports bars like Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street, Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse in Center City or one of the city’s oldest taverns, McGillin’s Old Ale House, established in 1860.
The stadium, locally known as the Linc, is in South Philadelphia. Visitors can navigate the city by its public transportation system, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority ($2.90). To get to the stadium, the Broad Street Line provides direct service to NRG Station, which is a short walk. Fans leaving the stadium will receive free travel on SEPTA, and shuttles from various downtown hotels will also be available, according to FIFA.
Grab some food at Reading Terminal Market, run up the “Rocky” steps toward the Philadelphia Museum of Art or explore U.S. history by visiting the Liberty Bell. The knockout game on July 4 coincides with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, at Independence Hall.
— Derek M. Norman
San Francisco
June 13
Qatar vs. Switzerland
June 16
Austria vs. Jordan
June 19
Turkey vs. Paraguay
June 22
Jordan vs. Algeria
June 25
Paraguay vs. Australia
The San Francisco Bay Area will not have one central fan festival. Instead, more than 30 smaller, community-based watch parties will take place throughout the region. Some of those spots include Thrive City at Chase Center in the Mission Bay neighborhood, Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf, China Basin Park near Oracle Park and Yerba Buena Lane downtown. The watch parties are free.
Popular San Francisco soccer bars include the Kezar Pub in Haight-Ashbury, the Mad Dog in the Fog and Danny Coyle’s in Lower Haight, and Maggie McGarry’s in North Beach. Or try Clara’s Junction near the stadium.
Levi’s Stadium is in Santa Clara, about 40 miles south of downtown San Francisco. To get to the game using public transportation, take Caltrain to Mountain View ($8.50 each way), and then the Valley Transportation Authority light rail ($2.50 each way) to the Great America station, near the stadium. The Bay Area Rapid Transit system connects San Francisco and other communities (fares depend on distance), and the Muni system’s network of light trains, buses, streetcars and cable cars ($2.85) crisscrosses San Francisco.
Skate, bike or spend golden hour at Sunset Dunes Park, formerly the Great Highway, or admire the Golden Gate Bridge from Tunnel Tops Park. Catch the immersive multimedia show “Aura” inside Grace Cathedral, fill up on the late-night noodles being steamed along Stockton Street in Chinatown, or compare mezcal bars in the Mission — start with Mosto or ABV.
— Shannon Sims
Seattle
June 15
Belgium vs. Egypt
June 19
U.S.A. vs. Australia
June 24
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar
Free streamed matches, events and activities are planned for locations along the Unity Loop, including the Seattle Center, Waterfront Park, Pacific Place and Victory Hall.
Try Fuel Sports Grill in Ballard, the George and Dragon in Fremont, the Atlantic Crossing in Green Lake or Buckley’s in Belltown.
Lumen Field is just south of downtown. To get there, fans can hop on the Link light rail ($3), Sounder train (price varies) or a Sound Transit Express bus ($3). The light rail, buses and streetcars ($3) are also great transportation options. On match days, there will also be free shuttle buses between the Seattle Center and the stadium.
From the observation deck of the Space Needle to the stalls of the Pike Place Market, Seattle offers plenty of things to do and see. Step into the world of the Museum of Pop Culture, marvel at the colorful glasswork at Chihuly Garden and Glass or visit the Seattle Aquarium. And for those looking to escape the city for some fresh air, plenty of hiking options just outside the city allow you to take in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
— Derek M. Norman
CANADA
Toronto
June 12
Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
June 20
Germany vs. Ivory Coast
June 23
Panama vs. Croatia
The FIFA fan festival at the Bentway, a public space built below the Gardiner Expressway in the bustling Fort York neighborhood, is the official place to watch live broadcasts of the matches and partake in fan experiences. Only premium tickets (starting at 100 Canadian dollars, or $73, plus tax and fees) are still available. Free Canada Soccer House watch parties are set to take place at the Harbourfront Centre from June 11 to July 2.
Toronto has no shortage of good neighborhood soccer bars. The classic Cafe Diplomatico in Little Italy is a favorite spot to watch matches. The Dock Ellis in Trinity Bellwoods is a hip sports bar with a strong Arsenal following. Real Sports Bar and Grill, next to where the Maple Leafs and Raptors play, is more central (and not tied to any club) and features a giant screen.
To offset expected congestion, the Toronto Transit Commission’s trains, buses and streetcars will offer increased service and extended hours on all routes (standard fare, 3.30 dollars). A temporary streetcar platform on Fleet Street should offset road closures around the stadium, and there will be designated drop-off and pickup areas for ride-hailing services.
First-time visitors should check out the 1,800-foot CN Tower, Waterworks Food Hall, the Arcadia Earth immersive art exhibit at the Well market hall, and Riverdale Park East for panoramic views of Toronto.
— Gerald Narciso
Vancouver
June 13
Australia vs. Turkey
June 21
New Zealand vs. Egypt
June 24
Switzerland vs. Canada
June 26
New Zealand vs. Belgium
Fans can stroll the Match Day Spectator Route, a pedestrian zone that winds along the waterfront near the stadium, starting four hours before matches. At nearby Science World, where the dome from Expo 86 is transformed into a giant soccer ball, the FIFA Museum exhibition “Soccer & Technology” explores the evolution of technology in the sport. The free FIFA fan festival, which includes family-friendly experiences and a concert series, will take place on the 114-acre Pacific National Exhibition grounds at Hastings Park. Free Canada Soccer House watch parties are set to take place at the Shipyards, a dining, shopping and recreation area in North Vancouver, from June 11 to July 7.
For those who prefer to enjoy the matches over a pint, the London pub in Chinatown has long been popular for English Premier League loyalists. Steps from the stadium, the Shark Club, though not a classic soccer pub, is the city’s premier sports bar and will be transformed into an official Canadian rooting zone for Team Canada’s two local matches.
SkyTrain, Vancouver’s three-line rapid transit system, serves the stadium as well as the downtown area (3.35 Canadian dollars, or about $2.45). Increased bus service, including free shuttles from nearby SkyTrain stations, will ease the trip to the FIFA fan festival.
It’s unforgivable to visit Vancouver without indulging in nature. A bike ride around the sea wall or the semi-torturous Grouse Grind, a steep one-and-a-half-mile hike, will level out your prematch nerves. The scenic Shipyards area, across the Burrard Inlet and accessible from downtown by a 15-minute Seabus ride (around 5 dollars), will also draw large crowds with free match-watching parties.
— Gerald Narciso
MEXICO
Guadalajara
June 11
South Korea vs. Czech Republic
June 18
Mexico vs. South Korea
June 23
Colombia vs. Democratic Republic of Congo
June 26
Uruguay vs. Spain
The official fan festival will take place in Plaza Liberación in the city’s historic center, between the twin-spired Guadalajara Metropolitan Cathedral and the Teatro Degollado, an elegant theater that opened in 1866. Food stalls showcasing local specialties will fill the adjacent Plaza de Armas, and the theater will host cultural events. Entry is free, but advance registration is required.
Most of the bars and restaurants along Avenida Chapultepec and in the surrounding Colonia Americana will be showing World Cup matches. Gallo Cervecero is an American-style sports bar (wings and burgers), and Santo Coyote offers an extensive Mexican menu. Or try one of the city’s classic cantinas: Cantina La Fuente in the historic center is a landmark where you may hear live mariachi between matches, while the walls at Los Famosos Equipales in Artesanos are plastered with old sports photos and posters.
Uber and other ride-hailing services are available, but to avoid the traffic, you can take the light rail (El Tren Ligero) or city buses to the historic center (30 pesos, or about $1.75, for a rechargeable card and 11 pesos a ride) or use the city’s bike-sharing program (120 pesos a day) to get around downtown. Mexico will deploy almost 100,000 security personnel in the three host cities, a particular concern in Guadalajara after drug cartel violence erupted there in February.
The frescoes of José Clemente Orozco covering the chapel at the Hospicio Cabañas, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are a masterpiece of Mexican muralism. The town of Tlaquepaque, reachable by light rail in the southern part of the metropolitan area, offers a boundless variety of handicrafts and folk art. A day trip to the town of Tequila to tour distilleries will take you through a stunning landscape of blue agave plantations.
— Elisabeth Malkin
Mexico City
June 11
Mexico vs. South Africa
June 17
Uzbekistan vs. Colombia
June 24
Czech Republic vs. Mexico
The official fan festival will take place in the city’s central square, the Zócalo, one of the world’s largest plazas, from June 11 to July 19. Food, concerts and cultural exhibitions will complement the matches. Entrance is free, but advance registration is required. The military parade ground Campo Marte will also host a fan festival, offering food prepared by chefs from around the country and live music on selected nights. The daily entrance fee is 400 pesos, or about $23; tickets for musical performances are extra.
Even local taco stands will be packed with soccer fans, but you can’t go wrong in traditional cantinas: Cantina Covadonga in Colonia Roma; Cantina El León de Oro in Escandón; Cantina el Bosque in San Miguel Chapultepec; or El Gran León de Oro in San José Insurgentes. Los Panchos is a family-friendly restaurant with several branches. You’ll want to reserve in advance at all these places.
Mexico City’s streets will be even more clogged than usual, so you will need patience waiting for Uber or other ride-hailing services. Try using public transportation, particularly the Metro (5 pesos, or about 30 cents), Metrobus (6 pesos) or light rail (3 pesos). The same fare card (15 pesos) also works for the city’s bike-sharing service (about 128 pesos a day). Note that the light-rail stop for the stadium is called Estadio Azteca, the name most locals use for the venue.
Several museums, including the Museo Jumex and the Museo Franz Mayer, are featuring World Cup-themed exhibitions. But don’t miss the city’s highlights: the National Anthropology Museum, the Xochimilco canals and the Frida Kahlo Museum (buy now; tickets sell out far in advance). The Gelman Collection exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art is a unique opportunity to see iconic works by Kahlo, Diego Rivera and other 20th-century Mexican masters.
— Elisabeth Malkin
Monterrey
June 14
Sweden vs. Tunisia
June 20
Tunisia vs. Japan
June 24
South Africa vs. South Korea
The official fan festival will take place at Parque Fundidora, a 335-acre urban park on the grounds of a former steelworks. Entrance is free, and food and drink will be available. Smaller events will be held in the city’s Barrio Antiguo, and the nearby Plaza Zaragoza and Plaza Morelos.
Try Pilo’s Bar, a cantina that is the city’s heart of live norteño music, a 10-minute drive from the stadium in Guadalupe. Indio Azteca is a traditional restaurant in San Pedro Garza García serving the region’s meat specialties. (Its downtown Monterrey cantina is for men only.) El Gran Pastor is a restaurant chain known for Monterrey’s specialty, cabrito (kid goat). Screens line the walls at Strikers Sports Joint.
Metropolitan Monterrey is designed for cars, and Uber and other ride-hailing services are available. You can reach key sites on the city’s metro and rapid bus system. A refillable card is 20 pesos, or about $1.15; the metro is 9.90 pesos and the bus 15 pesos. The D route of the free bus service Regio Ruta runs through the center.
Monterrey’s standout contemporary art museum MARCO exhibits 20th- and 21st-century Latin American art. The Santa Lucia Riverwalk runs from the Mexican History Museum to the Parque Fundidora. You can hike the trails or climb the peaks of the Chipinque Natural Reserve, a pine-oak forest overlooking the city. Outside Santiago, a colonial village to Monterrey’s south, a cave called Cueva de la Boca is home to millions of bats that fill the sky at dusk.
— Elisabeth Malkin
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