The Southerner’s Guide to the 2026 World Cup
The world's biggest sporting event is coming to cities across the South. Here's how to experience the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta, Miami, Houston, and Dallas this June and July, whether you have match tickets or not! Image: Rawpixel
The world’s biggest sporting event is headed to North America this year, and it’s a big deal. The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 through July 19, 2026, spanning 39 days of matches and bringing together the best soccer nations on the planet. We rounded up all the best ways to experience the World Cup excitement in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Miami, whether you’re going to a match or not.
Why this FIFA World Cup is Historic
This tournament will be the first World Cup hosted by three countries — the United States, Mexico, and Canada — and the first to feature an expanded field of 48 teams competing in 104 matches, making it the largest tournament in FIFA history.
Games will be played in 16 host cities across North America, including 11 in the United States, with the final set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. With 78 of the tournament’s matches taking place in the U.S., including all games from the quarterfinals onward, American cities will play a central role in the global celebration of soccer.
But for Southern soccer fans, four cities stand out in particular. Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Miami will host multiple matches and are preparing for weeks of watch parties, fan festivals, and international visitors. If you’re looking for some sports-centric travel plans this summer, this guide is for you.
How to Secure 2026 World Cup Tickets
World Cup tickets can be tough to secure. FIFA is the only official website for tickets, hospitality, and resale options. They release tickets in waves, and they’re currently closed, but you can try your luck during the “Last‑Minute Sales Phase,” which will begin in April. We suggest signing up for the e-newsletters of FIFA and your preferred stadium.
FIFA Hospitality Packages are now the only official way to get guaranteed tickets. The cost is in the thousands per person, but you also get premium food and beverages, early access, dedicated entry, and more. We also suggest going through a travel agent if you have one!
ATLANTA, GA — 2026 FIFA World Cup Games & Happenings
Atlanta is set to be one of the most exciting Southern hubs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The city will host eight matches at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, including a semifinal. Known for its dramatic retractable roof and 360-degree halo video board, the stadium is already one of the premier soccer venues in the country and home to the wildly popular Atlanta United FC.
Just outside the stadium, Atlanta is preparing for weeks of fan activity in the heart of downtown. The official FIFA Fan Festival will take place at Centennial Olympic Park, the iconic 22-acre green space built for the 1996 Summer Olympics.
For 20 days during the tournament, the park will transform into the city’s central watch-party hub with massive screens broadcasting matches from across the tournament, plus live music, cultural performances, food vendors, interactive soccer activations, and family-friendly programming. It’s free to attend with advance registration.
Because the stadium, fan festival, and many major attractions are in a compact downtown district, Atlanta is one of the easiest World Cup cities to navigate on foot or by transit. Staying in the downtown or Centennial Park area means you can walk to matches, watch parties, restaurants, and nightlife without ever needing a car.
Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore in Atlanta During the World Cup
A Deloitte study estimates that 216,000 people will be looking for places to stay during the month of the World Cup. Plan accordingly and get familiar with MARTA, ATL’s public transportation system.
STAY CLOSE: Omni at Centennial Park, Signia by Hilton, The Candler
STAY BOUTIQUE: Kimpton Sylvan, Hotel Granada (we stayed recently), Hotel Clermont
EAT: Palo Santo (they’ll be projecting the games on the rooftop), Bacchanalia, Delbar
DRINK & WATCH: Cosm (a shared-virtual-reality experience opening in June), Park Tavern, Brewhouse Cafe, Wild Leap, and even more options on this fabulous list by Discover Atlanta.
EXPLORE: The Beltline, Decatur, Inman Park, Virginia Highlands
DALLAS (ARLINGTON), TX — 2026 FIFA World Cup Games & Happenings
Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the Dallas-area World Cup footprint. The city will host nine matches — more than any other U.S. host city — including a semifinal at AT&T Stadium, the massive domed venue in nearby Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth, that is home to the Dallas Cowboys.
During the tournament, Dallas will transform into a full-on soccer celebration. The city’s official FIFA Fan Festival will take place at Fair Park, a historic 277-acre park just east of downtown known for its Art Deco architecture and the annual State Fair of Texas.
The festival is expected to run throughout the tournament and will serve as the city’s central watch-party hub. Giant screens will broadcast every match, and visitors can expect live music, international food vendors, interactive soccer activities, cultural programming, and merchandise. The park will become a global soccer village for a slice of the summer.
Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore in Dallas During the World Cup
There is so much to explore and see between Dallas and Arlington. We’d suggest staying in Dallas for more options and proximity to the Fan Festival in Fair Park, unless you’re actually going to a game and want to be close to the stadium.
Many hotels in both locales are offering special soccer packages, stadium shuttle services, and more throughout the World Cup. Call the hotels to check their offerings and make a plan!
STAY CLOSE IN ARLINGTON: Live! by Lowes, The Rambler Inn, Caravan Court (opening this May)
STAY BOUTIQUE IN DALLAS: The Pittman, Hôtel Swexan, The Joule, Hall Arts Hotel
EAT: Pecan Lodge, Far Out, Fond, Partenope Ristorante
DRINK & WATCH: Hero, Backyard, Texas Live! (Arlington), and even more ideas from Visit Dallas.
EXPLORE: Deep Ellum, Fair Park, Bishop Arts District, Uptown
HOUSTON, TX — 2026 FIFA World Cup Games & Happenings
Houston will host seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup at NRG Stadium, including five group-stage matches and two knockout games. The stadium — home to the NFL’s Houston Texans — is one of the largest venues in the tournament and regularly hosts major international soccer matches, concerts, and rodeo events.
Like the other host cities, Houston is planning a major fan celebration throughout the tournament. The official FIFA Fan Festival will take place in the city’s vibrant EaDo (East Downtown) district, just east of the downtown skyline. This area has quickly become one of Houston’s most energetic neighborhoods thanks to its mix of breweries, street art, music venues, and restaurants.
Because Houston is such a large city geographically, transportation planning is key for visitors. Fortunately, the stadium and festival areas are connected by the city’s light-rail network. The Red Line stops directly at NRG Park, allowing fans to travel from downtown hotels and entertainment districts without driving.
Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore in Houston During the World Cup
STAY CLOSE: Blossom Hotel, DoubleTree, Hotel ZaZa Museum District
STAY BOUTIQUE: la Colombe d’Or, Hotel Daphne, Hotel Saint Augustine, The Post Oak Hotel
EAT: Nancy’s Hustle, Lucille’s, State of Grace, Truth Barbecue
DRINK & WATCH: Pitch 25 Beer Park, Truck Yard, Little Woodrow’s
EXPLORE: Montrose, The Heights, Museum District, EaDO
MIAMI, FL — 2026 FIFA World Cup Games & Happenings
If any U.S. host city is built for a global soccer celebration, it’s Miami. The city will host seven World Cup matches at Hard Rock Stadium, including four group-stage games, a Round of 32 match, a quarterfinal, and the tournament’s third-place match.
The stadium sits in Miami Gardens, about 15 miles north of downtown, and is home to the Miami Dolphins and a frequent host of international soccer tournaments and major global events.
Miami’s official FIFA Fan Festival will take place at Bayfront Park, a beautiful waterfront park in downtown Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay. During the tournament, the park will transform into a massive global watch party featuring giant screens broadcasting matches from across the World Cup, live entertainment, cultural programming, international food vendors, and interactive fan experiences.
Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore in Miami During the World Cup
Miami’s geography means visitors will likely split time between the beaches, downtown, and the stadium area. The city’s Metromover is a free elevated train system that loops through downtown and Brickell, making it easy to reach Bayfront Park and nearby hotels. Matches at Hard Rock Stadium will likely require rideshares, event shuttles, or rental cars from downtown or the beaches.
STAY CLOSE: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, Hilton Miami Aventura, SERENA Hotel
STAY BOUTIQUE: Arlo Wynwood, Faena, The Shelborne, The Setai
EAT: KYU, Mandolin, Joe’s Stone Crab, COTE
DRINK & WATCH: Grails, Black Market, Fritz & Franz Bierhaus, The Wharf
EXPLORE: Wynwood, Little Havana, Coconut Grove, South Beach
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Zoe Yarborough
Zoe is a StyleBlueprint staff writer, Charlotte native, Washington & Lee graduate, and Nashville transplant of eleven years. She teaches Pilates, helps manage recording artists, and likes to "research" Germantown's food scene.