From Hotel Lobby Fan Zones to Wine Country Getaways, San Francisco Is a World Cup Destination No Matter Your Team

Hotels in the city are ready to do more than provide a place to stay. Each hotel has their own approach, but travelers can expect fan centers in lobbies, transportation assistance, and watch parties for people coming to see a game (or to simply soak up the game environment without a ticket). In other words, you won’t have to go far to be immersed in the World Cup. You can go from fan center, to the game, to a watch party, to a day trip, and then back to your hotel without missing any of the excitement surrounding all things soccer.

It may seem like the games are still a ways away. But van Esso has a key piece of advice: “Lock in your hotel early. Crewfare offers flexible payment plans, affordable hotel options, and the ability to secure your stay now and pay over time.”

Traveling to the Bay Area during the World Cup? Start here:

• Where to Eat, Play, and Stay in San Francisco for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
• 2026 World Cup Guide: San Francisco Bay Area
• The 7 Best Soccer Bars in San Francisco for Watching the World Cup
• The Best Airbnbs Near the Bay Area’s Levi’s Stadium​ for Soccer Fans
• The Best Hotels Near the Bay Area’s Levi’s Stadium​ for Soccer Fans
• Forget Boring Pub Crawls — San Francisco Just Launched a ‘Martini Trail’

Sixteen host cities spread across Canada, Mexico, and the United States makes this the most geographically diverse World Cup games in FIFA history. Where each of the 48 teams will play the opening round will be released in early December. For many fans of The Beautiful Game, any match is worth planning a longer trip around. Yet that’s especially the case in an internationally-minded city like San Francisco and the wider Bay Area. Five group-stage games in June and one Round of 32 match in July will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, where day trips along the coast or into wine country are as easy as a visit to the City by the Bay.

Union Square in San Francisco. Photo: travelview/Shutterstock

“I think we’re ready,” says Casey Neuberger, general manager at Hotel Nikko in Union Square. “The city has really transformed over the last couple years into a city that’s welcoming, that wants people here, and that has showcased that time and time again.”

The Hotel Nikko lobby, which will turn into a fan center with watch parties during the games. Photo: Hotel Nikko

The World Cup won’t be an event that happens in one place and then people shut it out once they leave the stadium. Bay Area games will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, more than an hour’s drive from central San Francisco even in good traffic. Travelers staying in San Francisco proper will need to find other areas to celebrate and congregate during matches. Hotels are a natural fit.

Hotel Nikko’s location in Union Square puts it in the always-humming energy of the city, as well as other nearby hotels, restaurants, and bars. It’s also close to public transit that will take people to the games. The goal, Neuberger says, is for Hotel Nikko to become a destination itself. The lobby will transform into a fan zone with a huge projection screen, overstuffed chairs, and themed menus that change based on which teams are playing. Think of it like an upscale, tailgate-style feel. The hotel is also bringing back its dive-in movies at the pool for families with kids in the summer months.

Photo: Hotel Nikko

Other hotels in Union Square, like Tilden Hotel and the historic Golden Gate Hotel, are also preparing for the blitz of soccer fans from around the world. Choosing a hotel near transit gives travelers the best of both worlds: public transit access to the games for people with tickets, and the city proper right outside the hotel door.

“I get excited when I see the city active and activated,” Neuberger says. “I’ve been coming to San Francisco for 25 years and I’ve lived here for 16 years, and when it’s really hustling and bustling and the activity is going, it has this unmatched energy. I know that is what it’s going to be like during the games and I thrive on that. My team thrives on that.”

Photo: John Couture/Shutterstock

“San Francisco is one of the most globally appealing destinations on the lineup,” van Esso says. “It combines world-class infrastructure with a diverse, passionate fan base and unmatched international access. The Bay Area’s blend of energy, culture, and convenience makes it a city fans will build full travel experiences around, not just a place to stay for a game.”

The Bay Area as a whole will be on the global stage — and there’s no shortage of things to do using San Francisco as a base. You don’t have to go far for world-class dining. Day trips to nearby Mount Hamilton for hiking, or a drive through wine country to see the iconic vineyards of Napa and Sonoma are easily facilitated. What better way to unwind after the action of the games than extending a stay in Healdsburg?

“It’s really supporting the entire Bay Area, not just San Francisco,” Neuberger says. “You’ve got the wine region, you’ve got the farming region, you’ve got all the other sports activities in Tahoe and Mount Ham and small towns supported by the travelers coming out from San Francisco for day trips and overnight trips.”

As the games get closer and specific matches are set, the excitement will only build. It’s already clear that San Francisco and the wider Bay Area is a prime destination even in the crowded field of host cities. The time is now to choose the right hotel, and book early through a trusted platform like Crewfare or directly with your property of choice.

For discerning travelers, San Francisco’s hotels are defining what it means to stay for the game, from lobbies that double as fan zones to culinary menus inspired by global teams.

“Sports bring energy to San Francisco,” says Neuberger. “Our job is to capture that spirit, so even if guests don’t have tickets, they still feel like they’re part of the world’s biggest celebration.”