Mexico co-hosted the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, staging 13 of the tournament’s 104 matches across three cities: Mexico City (Estadio Azteca), Guadalajara (Estadio Akron), and Monterrey (Estadio BBVA). The tournament ran from 11 June to 19 July 2026 and has now finished. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 and Czechia 3-0 at the Azteca and beat Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32 there, before losing 3-2 to England in the Round of 16 on 5 July.
This guide records what each city hosted and how the logistics worked, which remains a useful template for visiting the stadiums, fan zone sites and host cities today.
Mexico’s Host Cities at a Glance
| City | Stadium | Capacity | Matches | Stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | Estadio Azteca | ~87,523 | 5 | Group + Round of 32 + Round of 16 |
| Guadalajara | Estadio Akron | ~49,850 | 4 | Group stage only |
| Monterrey | Estadio BBVA | ~53,460 | 4 | Group + Round of 32 |
Mexico City hosted the opening match of the entire tournament on June 11 - Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca - making it the first stadium in history to host three World Cup opening fixtures (1970, 1986 and 2026).
Match Schedule - Mexico
Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)
| Date | Match | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 11 June | Mexico vs South Africa | Group A (Opening Match) |
| 17 June | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | Group K |
| 24 June | Czechia vs Mexico | Group A |
| 30 June | Mexico vs Ecuador (Mexico won 2-0) | Round of 32 |
| 5 July | Mexico vs England (England won 3-2) | Round of 16 |
Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)
| Date | Match | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 11 June | South Korea vs Czechia | Group A |
| 18 June | Mexico vs South Korea | Group A |
| 23 June | Colombia vs Congo DR | Group E |
| 26 June | Uruguay vs Spain | Group I |
Monterrey (Estadio BBVA)
| Date | Match | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 14 June | Sweden vs Tunisia | Group F |
| 20 June | Tunisia vs Japan | Group F |
| 24 June | South Africa vs South Korea | Group A |
| 29 June | Group F Winner vs Group C Runner-up | Round of 32 |
Dates above are as played; confirm full results at fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/scores-fixtures.
Tickets
Match tickets were sold through the official FIFA ticketing platform at fifa.com. FIFA’s own Resale/Exchange Marketplace was the only authorised secondary channel (a 15% fee applied, and Mexican residents could list tickets only at face value or less). Unofficial sellers carried significant fraud risk - counterfeit tickets are well-documented at major tournaments.
For fans without a ticket, the fan festival sites in each city were a genuine alternative - match day atmosphere was strong, entry was free, and no ticket was required.
Ticket price tiers varied by match and seat category, and Mexico’s group stage matches sold out rapidly after general sale opened.
Fan Festivals
Each host city ran an official FIFA Fan Festival for the full 39-day tournament period, June 11 to July 19. Entry was free; no ticket or registration was required for general areas.
| City | Location | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitución) | Live broadcasts, music, cultural programming across all 16 boroughs |
| Guadalajara | Plaza Liberación (between the Cathedral and Teatro Degollado) | Free entry; additional sites at Parque Rojo and Plaza Las Américas, Zapopan |
| Monterrey | Parque Fundidora | Free general entry; paid VIP zone from approx. MXN 800–1,900 for concerts/events |
Travelling Between Host Cities
For anyone covering matches in more than one city, flying was the practical choice. All three routes are direct and under 1.5 hours in the air; the fares below are typical advance fares.
| Route | Flight time | Approximate fare (booked ahead, as of 2026) | Bus time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City → Guadalajara | ~1 hour | From MXN 600 | 7–8 hours |
| Mexico City → Monterrey | ~1.5 hours | From MXN 700 | 10–11 hours |
| Guadalajara → Monterrey | ~1.5 hours | From MXN 600 | 10 hours |
Main carriers: Aeroméxico, Volaris and VivaAerobus. Volaris launched additional routes to all three host cities ahead of the tournament. Book directly through airline websites for best prices and flexible cancellation policies.
Long-distance buses (ETN, Primera Plus, Omnibus de Mexico) are comfortable and reliable for the shorter routes, but impractical for tight match schedules.
Entry Requirements and Visas
Mexico does not require a visa for stays up to 180 days for most nationalities including the US, EU, UK, Canada, and Australia. The DNR tourist permit (formerly FMM) is issued on arrival at a cost of approximately MXN 983 as of 2026; many airlines include this in the ticket price - check your confirmation before travel.
No additional entry requirements were introduced for the World Cup, and no dedicated fan ID card was required for Mexico matches: a valid ticket and passport were sufficient for stadium entry.
Passport validity requirements vary by nationality - most countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned departure date. Confirm the current requirements with your government’s travel advisory service before booking.
Getting Around Host Cities
Mexico City: Use the Metro (MXN 5 per ride) and Metrobús for most journeys. For Estadio Azteca, take Metro Line 2 to Tasqueña then the Tren Ligero. Uber is widely available. Avoid street-flagged taxis - use Uber or hotel-dispatched radio taxis only.
Guadalajara: No direct metro line to Estadio Akron. Uber is the practical standard for stadium transport. The Macrobús BRT covers the main tourist corridors but not the stadium itself. Uber from the historic centre costs approximately MXN 150–250 as of 2026.
Monterrey: Metro Lines 1 and 2 provide partial coverage - use metro plus Uber for the final stretch to the stadium. Uber from central hotels costs approximately MXN 120–200 as of 2026.
Money and Costs
Mexico uses the Mexican peso (MXN). Card payments (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and stadium concessions. ATMs are plentiful in tourist areas. Carry some cash for street food, transport, and smaller vendors.
Estimated daily budget (as of 2026):
- Budget traveller (hostel, street food, public transport): MXN 600–1,000/day
- Mid-range (mid-range hotel, sit-down meals, Uber): MXN 1,800–3,000/day
- Comfort (hotel 3–4 star, restaurant dining, private transfers): MXN 4,000–7,000+/day
During the tournament, hotel rates near stadiums on match days doubled or tripled standard rates. Outside tournament dates, booking early with free cancellation remains the safest approach for any big event.
Safety Overview
The three host city states - CDMX (Mexico City), Jalisco, and Nuevo León - are among Mexico’s safer states for international tourism. U.S. State Department advisories as of mid-2026:
- Mexico City (CDMX): Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
- Jalisco (Guadalajara): Level 3 - Reconsider Travel
- Nuevo León (Monterrey): Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
The Level 3 for Jalisco reflects activity in specific non-tourist areas; the historic centre and Zapopan tourist corridor are the standard visitor zones and were actively policed during the tournament.
Key safety rules (they apply to any big event in these cities):
- Use Uber or hotel-arranged taxis only - never flag street cabs
- Keep your passport photocopy separate from the original
- Use ATMs inside banks or hotels rather than standalone street machines
- Register your travel with your country’s embassy notification service
- Keep phone in a front pocket or money belt in crowds
For detailed safety information by region, see our Mexico safety guide.
Plan your trip: flights to Mexico · travel insurance.
Detailed City Guides
For stadium transport, local hotel recommendations, and match-day tips for each host city:
Recent updates from our news desk: Mexico’s World Cup 2026 Cities: What to Know, Mexico Hosts 13 World Cup Matches Starting 11 June, US Raises Jalisco to Level 3 for World Cup Travelers, and Mexico City Caps Crowds After Fan Deaths at World Cup.
- FIFA World Cup 2026 - Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)
- FIFA World Cup 2026 - Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)
- FIFA World Cup 2026 - Monterrey (Estadio BBVA)
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