Do I need a visa to attend the World Cup in Mexico?

Most nationalities — including citizens of the US, EU, UK, Canada, and Australia — do not require a visa for Mexico for stays up to 180 days. On arrival, you will need to complete a DNR visitor permit (previously called the FMM); the fee is approximately MXN 983 as of 2026 and many airlines include it in the ticket price. The Mexican government has not introduced any additional entry requirements specifically for the World Cup period.

How do I buy FIFA World Cup 2026 match tickets for Mexico?

All tickets must be purchased exclusively through the official FIFA ticketing platform (fifa.com). Buying from third-party sellers, social media, or resale sites carries significant fraud risk, and ticket resale is illegal in Mexico. If you cannot secure tickets, every host city has a free official Fan Festival where matches are broadcast live — these are legitimate and worth attending in their own right.

Which Mexican host city should I base myself in?

Mexico City has the most matches (5, including the opening fixture and two knockout rounds) and the most to see beyond football. Guadalajara is the best choice for combining a match with the tequila highlands and colonial Jalisco. Monterrey suits U.S.-based visitors arriving overland from Texas and has the most accessible stadium. All three have free Fan Festivals running for the full 39-day tournament.

How do I travel between Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey?

Flying is the practical option between host cities. Mexico City–Guadalajara takes approximately 1 hour by air, from MXN 600 if booked ahead. Mexico City–Monterrey takes approximately 1.5 hours, from MXN 700 ahead. Guadalajara–Monterrey takes approximately 1.5 hours, from MXN 600. All three routes are in high demand during the tournament — book as early as possible. Long-distance buses are an option for the cost-conscious: Mexico City–Guadalajara takes 5–6 hours and Guadalajara–Monterrey takes around 7–8 hours.

Is Mexico safe to visit during the World Cup?

The three World Cup host city states — Mexico City (CDMX), Jalisco, and Nuevo León — are not under U.S. Level 4 advisory. The national advisory is Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), and Jalisco is Level 3. The Mexican government has deployed additional security for the tournament period. Standard precautions apply: use Uber rather than street-flagged taxis, keep copies of travel documents, avoid displaying expensive items, and stick to well-populated tourist zones. Our full [safety guide for Mexico](/practical/safety-in-mexico/) covers current conditions by state.

World Cup 2026 Mexico Guide | The Mexico Guides

Mexico co-hosts 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 runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

This guide covers everything you need to plan a trip around the matches — from tickets and fan zones to getting between cities and where to stay.

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 hosts 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.

Full 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
Late June	Round of 32	Knockout
Early July	Round of 16	Knockout

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

All dates and kick-off times are subject to change — verify at fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/scores-fixtures.

Tickets

All match tickets must be purchased through the official FIFA ticketing platform at fifa.com. There is no authorised secondary market. Buying from third-party sellers carries significant fraud risk — counterfeit tickets are well-documented at major tournaments, and resale is explicitly illegal in Mexico.

If you arrive without a ticket, the fan festival sites in each city are a genuine alternative — match day atmosphere is strong, entry is free, and no ticket is required.

Ticket price tiers vary by match and seat category. Mexico’s group stage matches sold out rapidly after general sale opened. Knockout-round tickets become available as the bracket fills — follow the FIFA ticketing site for availability alerts.

Fan Festivals

Each host city runs an official FIFA Fan Festival for the full 39-day tournament period, June 11 to July 19. Entry is free; no ticket or registration 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

If you are attending matches in more than one city, flying is the practical choice. All three routes are direct and under 1.5 hours in the air — but book well ahead, as demand is high across the tournament window.

Route	Flight time	Approximate fare (booked ahead, as of 2026)	Bus time
Mexico City → Guadalajara	~1 hour	From MXN 600	5–6 hours
Mexico City → Monterrey	~1.5 hours	From MXN 700	10–11 hours
Guadalajara → Monterrey	~1.5 hours	From MXN 600	7–8 hours

Main carriers: Aeroméxico, Volaris, VivaAerobus, Interjet. 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 have been introduced for the World Cup. There is no dedicated World Cup fan ID card system required for Mexico matches, unlike some previous tournaments — a valid ticket and passport are 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

World Cup pricing inflation is real — hotel rates near stadiums on match days can double or triple standard rates. Booking early with free cancellation is the safest approach for accommodation.

Safety Overview

The three host city states — CDMX (Mexico City), Jalisco, and Nuevo León — are among Mexico’s safer states for international tourism. Current U.S. State Department advisories as of 2026:

Mexico City (CDMX): Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Jalisco (Guadalajara): Level 3 — Exercise Increased Caution
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 are actively policed during the tournament.

Key safety rules for the World Cup period:

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.

Detailed City Guides

For stadium transport, local hotel recommendations, and match-day tips for each host city:

FIFA World Cup 2026 Mexico: Complete Visitor Guide