The countdown is on. Less than a year later on June 11th, the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin in Mexico City. Following that, the 48 teams will play more than 104 games in 16 cities across the United States, Mexico and Canada until the final on July 19th at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, outside of New York City.
The first round of ticket sales, Visa Presale Draw, ran from September 10th to 19th. The second round will run from October 27th to 31st, and the third round will be held shortly after the official 2026 World Cup is set for December 5th. This is when fans can submit ticket applications for individual group stage matches (the opening round of the tournament features a group of teams targeting Robin-style rounds before teams with the best records proceed to the single elimination knockout round bracket). FIFA close to kickoff will unfold the final first cam, first style purchase period for the remaining tickets.
For those who win tickets ranging from $60 for the spare game to $7,000 or more for the final game, the next business order will give you an idea of the best strategy for your trip.
Of course, where you go depends on what you are trying to see and the amount of time you need to see it. What kind of World Cup traveler will this be in 2026? There are four approaches based on what kind of soccer fan you are.
Anchor approach
The easiest logistic option is the perfect plan for fans trying to avoid complicated trekking. The anchor approach is to choose a single host city and make it a temporary home for a long time where you can escape. Whether you’re checking out nearby big cities or captivating the less familiar ocean, the world is your oyster.
Let’s say you aim for New York City. Book a hotel in the city and commute to New Jersey MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford to catch some of the eight games that you plan to kick off in the wall. Then spend the rest of your time exploring New York. You’ll find a local sports bar for games outside of New York and meet fans from all over the world. While you may be able to participate in only a handful of matches this way, you will definitely bring you many sports and travel memories.
Follow your team
Perhaps the most romantic approach to World Cup trips, this is the ultimate show of loyalty. The idea is simple. Buy tickets for all games from your favorite team, whether you’re kicking off in Philadelphia or Guadalajara. This is a relatively simple problem, as each team sets up base camps in three given cities to reduce travel. But if your team moves forward, if it crosses, that’s when logistics get complicated for you.
The appeal here lies in the community that is tailored to more social, flowing travelers and builds along the way. You will unite by matching your jerseys and shared anxiety and move along with an army of fellow fans who are constantly growing. You find yourself in an unexpected place, sightseeing with fellow soccer enthusiasts, and meet new friends in a new city.
A drawback? In this approach, flexibility is the rule of king and spontaneity. You need to be ready to pivot with a momentary notification. You will need to book your last flight, ticket and hotel. It can be expensive, exhausting, and logistical nightmare, but for a true stubborn person with a heart and an open schedule, it’s the only way.
Hub and Spoke Model
This is a sweet spot for travelers who want to see as much as possible but are unable to commit to the fuss of team followers. Similar to the legacy aviation strategies tested in combat, the hub-and-spoke model is selecting a major hub and tacking several selected side trips in relative proximity to where you set up your shop.
Instead of following one team, this option allows you to follow the changing momentum of the tournament. For example, you can easily fly from nine total matches, including the semi-finals, to nine total matches, and then easily fly from there (or embarking on a slightly longer road trip) (a simple flight to Kansas City, or Monterrey, Mexico). The same applies to the coast: LA, Seattle, San Francisco and Vancouver form linear flight paths, allowing easy travel between New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Atlanta by train if necessary.
Perfect for soccer fans who aren’t married to one team as much as the overall travel experience, this approach allows you to see a variety of games and locations while minimizing long-distance travel. Enjoy multiple teams, fans and local culture without burning out. This is a great way to make the most of your time without breaking your bank.
Leave it to the pros
If you have the chance, booking a luxurious hospitality package is the ultimate “Prof to the Pro” World Cup trip move. There is an increasing number of sports-centric travel agents, including official FIFA partners, road trips, bucket list events and more that have been mentioned previously, taking stress out completely off the shoulder. . . At the price. Depending on the provider and the game you are looking for checkout, these trips can surge to over $10,000 per person.
However, these agents don’t just book flights and hotels. They curate a comprehensive travel itinerary, including premium seats, access to dedicated stadium lounges, on-site concierge services, quick stadium entry, and even meeting and greeting athletes. They can be a game changer for people that they want to ensure that every detail is perfect, but they don’t have time to hash it all themselves. This option comes at a higher price range, but can feel like a million dollar pitch side.
Conclusion
No matter how much you reach the game or how many people watch it in the end, the real victory is in the experience itself. They click on cold beer with strangers, chanting them all at once, and explode into spontaneous songs. But don’t forget that you do it, embrace the beautiful game and the beautiful madness it brings.
