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FIFA World Cup 2026 Travel Guide

Mexico City will open the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Azteca on June 11, becoming the first city to host matches across three different tournaments (1970, 1986 and 2026). The stadium has staged some of football’s most defining moments, from Pelé lifting the trophy in 1970 to Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986, and remains one of the sport’s most storied venues. In 2026, it returns to the global spotlight as the tournament kicks off across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Here’s your guide to all things Mexico City World Cup.

• About Estadio Azteca
• Tickets and matches
• Getting to Mexico City
• Getting around during the World Cup
• Details on the FIFA Fan Zone
• Hotels, soccer bars, and what else to do
• More about Mexico City

Photo: Aleksandr Medvedkov/Shutterstock

Estadio Azteca opened in 1966 and remains the primary home of Club América — one of the most widely followed teams in Mexico — as well as the Mexico national team, giving it a year-round role at the center of the country’s soccer calendar. For the 2026 World Cup, capacity is expected to sit at around 83,000 following upgrades focused on improving entrances, exits, and spectator facilities rather than structural changes. The stadium is located in the southern part of Mexico City in the borough of Tlalpan, roughly eight miles from the historic center, in a dense urban area where matchday activity extends well beyond the stadium.

• June 11, 2026: Mexico vs. South Africa — Group A
• June 17, 2026: Uzbekistan vs. Colombia — Group K
• June 24, 2026: Mexico vs. UEFA Winner D — Group A
• June 30, 2026: Round of 32 match — Match 79
• July 5, 2026: Round of 16 match — Match 92

Tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are still being released in phases, with early access limited to fans who registered through FIFA and entered initial lotteries. Additional sales are expected to continue into 2026, and fans can still register their interest through FIFA for upcoming releases.

Demand will be among the highest in the tournament — especially the opening match — so availability is expected to be limited. Prices will vary significantly depending on the match and seat category, with the highest-demand games commanding the highest prices.

For most, flying into Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) is straightforward, with taxis, rideshares, and public transportation all available from the airport.. Mexico City’s main airport has nonstop service from a long list of US gateways, with current flight boards showing connections to cities including New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Orlando, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Seattle, San Antonio, San Francisco, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Tampa, Washington Dulles, and more. It’s one of the best-connected airports in the region, which makes Mexico City a much simpler World Cup trip than some first-time visitors expect.

Mexico City also works well as part of a longer vacation. If you’re planning to spend more time in Mexico, it’s an easy starting point before heading to places like Oaxaca, Puebla, or the coast , all of which are reachable by short domestic flights.

Estadio Azteca is in the southern part of Mexico City, roughly eight miles from the city center. Reaching the stadium via public transportation is both affordable and straightforward.

The most direct route is to take Metro Line 2 (the Blue Line) to Tasqueña Station. From there, transfer to the Tren Ligero (Light Rail) and get off at Estadio Azteca Station, located a short walk from the stadium entrance. The total journey can take between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on your starting location and wait times.

However, traffic in Mexico City can be consistently heavy, particularly on match days, making public transportation the more reliable option. If you choose to drive or use a rideshare service like Uber, allocate at least an extra hour to your travel time to account for potential delays.

Fares are low: the Metro costs five pesos (about 30 cents), and the Tren Ligero is three pesos (about 20 cents). You can buy rechargeable metro cards at all city stations.

Photo: AlexButova/Shutterstock

The main FIFA Fan Festival will take place in the Zócalo, Mexico City’s central square, and is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. It will serve as the city’s primary gathering point for fans without tickets, with large public screens showing matches alongside live music, food vendors, and cultural programming tied to the tournament. Given the size and location, it’s expected to be one of the busiest fan zones at the World Cup.

Additional viewing areas and fan events are expected across the city, though full details on locations and programming have not yet been released. You can check for updates at this link as the tournament approaches.

You can bet on it being a rowdy time to be in the Mexican capital. Traveling to CDMX for the World Cup will be unforgettable. Here’s how to plan your trip.

If you’re hoping to roll out of bed and stroll to the gates, your options are slim. But plenty of well-located hotels are just a short drive away.

Matches will be streamed at restaurants and pubs across the city, including these spots in the Mexican capital’s most prominent tourist neighborhoods.