2026 World Cup Seating Guide: Complete Venue Breakdown for All 16 Stadiums

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will make history as the largest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 spectacular venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Understanding stadium seating categories, pricing, and sightlines is crucial to planning your World Cup experience.

This comprehensive guide breaks down seating information for every host venue, helping you find the best value seats, premium views, and navigate potential pitfalls at each stadium.

World Cup Ticket Categories Explained

FIFA uses four main categories based on seat location and elevation:

Category 1: Lower tier, central sideline seats with the best views of the action.

Category 2: Corner sections in the lower-tier or upper-tier sideline seats.

Category 3: Upper tier behind goals and upper corner sections.

Category 4: Highest elevation seats, typically upper deck corners – limited availability, reserved primarily for host nation residents.

United States Venues (11 Stadiums)

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York)

Capacity: 82,500 (expanded for World Cup)

Matches: 8 matches, including the FIFA World Cup Final on July 19, 2026

Best Value Seats: Category 2 upper sideline sections (200-level corners) offer excellent elevated views of the entire pitch at a mid-range price point. These seats provide tactical perspectives while avoiding the extreme heights of Category 3 and 4 seats.

Most Expensive Seats: Category 1 lower sideline sections (100-level midfield) command premium prices, especially for the Final. Expect $4,000+ for group-stage matches and exponentially higher amounts for knockout rounds.

Interactive MetLife Stadium World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Sections 111-120 and 131-140 (lower sideline) provide optimal sightlines at the field level with excellent proximity to the action. The stadium’s bowl design ensures minimal obstructions from these premium locations.

Worst Views: Upper deck corners (300-level) suffer from extreme distance and steep angles. Sections 301-305 and 345-349 are particularly challenging, making it difficult to follow play details despite the overall tactical view.

AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas (Dallas)

Capacity: 80,000 (expandable to 105,000)

Matches: 9 matches (most of any venue), including a semifinal

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats in the lower corners (sections C101-C116) balance proximity with affordability. The massive HD video board provides excellent replay views from nearly any angle, making mid-tier seats especially valuable here.

Most Expensive Seats: Club-level suites and lower sideline seats in the Hall of Fame Club sections. These premium areas include climate control, upscale dining, and optimal 50-yard-line positioning.

Interactive AT&T Stadium World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower sideline sections (C101-C148) offer phenomenal sightlines in a climate-controlled environment. The retractable roof provides weather protection while maintaining the atmosphere. The iconic center-hung video board is visible from virtually every seat.

Worst Views: Upper deck end zones (400-level behind goals) are extremely elevated and distant. The stadium’s massive scale means these seats feel far removed from the action, though the video board helps compensate.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia

Capacity: 75,000

Matches: 8 matches, including a semifinal

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats in sections 201-208 (upper sideline) provide excellent elevation for tactical viewing in a climate-controlled environment at reasonable prices. The stadium’s design ensures good sightlines throughout.

Most Expensive Seats: Field-level suites and lower sideline sections (100-level midfield). The stadium’s premium clubs offer world-class amenities with direct pitch access.

Interactive Mercedes-Benz Stadium World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower sideline sections (111-126) offer excellent visibility, thanks to the stadium’s innovative retractable roof and 360-degree halo video board. Climate control ensures comfort regardless of the weather.

Worst Views: Upper corner sections (300-level) can feel distant despite the stadium’s relatively compact footprint. Sections 301-305 and 345-349 have the steepest angles and the greatest distance from the pitch.

SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California (Los Angeles)

Capacity: 70,000 (expandable to 100,000)

Matches: 8 matches, including a quarterfinal

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats in the 300-level sideline sections offer surprisingly intimate views for an upper deck. The stadium’s partially-below-ground design and steep seating bowl keep even elevated seats close to the action.

Most Expensive Seats: Field-level suites and the exclusive Owners Suites. The stadium features some of the most luxurious premium seating in sports, with prices to match for marquee matches.

Interactive SoFi Stadium World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower sideline 100-level sections beneath the massive Infinity Screen offer an immersive experience. The translucent roof allows natural light to enter, while the dual-sided video board is visible from every seat. Sections 101-135 are particularly impressive.

Worst Views: Upper corners in the 500-level sections are the most distant seats, though SoFi’s innovative design keeps them closer than comparable stadiums. Potential obstructions from the hanging video board in certain 300-level sections.

Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida (Miami)

Capacity: 65,000

Matches: 7 matches, including the third-place match

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats in the shaded upper sideline sections (300-level under the canopy) offer excellent value. The stadium’s $350 million renovation prioritized fan comfort, with covered seating protecting against Miami’s heat and sudden rain.

Most Expensive Seats: Lower sideline club seats and the 72 Club sections feature premium amenities. These seats include exclusive lounge access and climate-controlled areas—a significant advantage in Miami’s summer climate.

Interactive Hard Rock Stadium World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower sideline sections (100-level, rows 10-25) balance proximity with sight angles. The canopy-covered sections provide shade for afternoon matches. Sections 112-128 are optimal for staying cool while maintaining excellent views.

Worst Views: Upper corner sections (400-level) are both distant and exposed to direct sunlight during afternoon matches. Sections 401-410 and 440-449 lack canopy coverage, making them uncomfortable in Miami’s heat despite adequate sight lines.

NRG Stadium – Houston, Texas

Capacity: 72,000

Matches: 7 matches, including Round of 16

Best Value Seats: Category 2 club-level seats (200-level sideline) provide air-conditioned comfort at mid-tier prices. Given Houston’s heat and humidity, climate-controlled seating offers significant value beyond just the view.

Most Expensive Seats: Premium suites and field-level club seats with full climate control and upscale amenities. The retractable roof will likely remain closed for World Cup matches, making these premium areas especially desirable.

Interactive NRG Stadium World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower sideline sections (100-level, sections 109-128) offer excellent proximity with the advantage of climate control when the roof is closed. The stadium’s design ensures minimal obstructions throughout the lower bowl.

Worst Views: Upper deck end zones (600-level behind goals) are significantly elevated and distant. Even with the roof closed and AC running, these seats feel removed from the atmosphere, though sight lines remain adequate for following play.

Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri

Capacity: 76,000

Matches: 6 matches, including a quarterfinal

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats in the lower sideline sections (100-level corners) provide excellent traditional stadium atmosphere at reasonable prices. Known as the world’s loudest outdoor stadium, the experience transcends just the view.

Most Expensive Seats: Club-level seats and field suites on the west side (200-level midfield) offer premium amenities while maintaining proximity to the action and some weather protection.

Interactive Arrowhead Stadium World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower sideline sections (100-level, sections 110-130) offer classic football stadium sightlines with excellent proximity. The stadium’s traditional bowl design means unobstructed views throughout the lower bowl.

Worst Views: Upper deck corners (300-level) are both elevated and exposed to the elements. June weather in Kansas City is unpredictable, and these seats provide no protection from the sun or rain. Distance from the pitch is significant in sections 301-310 and 335-345.

Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Capacity: 69,000

Matches: 6 matches, including a quarterfinal

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats in sections 201-211 (upper sideline) offer elevated tactical views at mid-range prices. The stadium’s fan-friendly design ensures clear sightlines from the upper levels.

Most Expensive Seats: Club Box seats and Vault Club sections (200-level premium) feature exclusive amenities, private entrances, and some of the best midfield positioning in the stadium.

Interactive Lincoln Financial Field World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower sideline sections (100-level, sections 108-130) provide excellent proximity with minimal obstructions. The stadium has hosted numerous international soccer matches, demonstrating its effectiveness for the sport.

Worst Views: Upper corners (sections 201-205 and 240-245) combine height with angled perspectives, making it challenging to follow play. These seats are among the most distant from the pitch.

Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts (Boston)

Capacity: 65,000 (undergoing renovation for World Cup)

Matches: 7 matches, including a quarterfinal

Best Value Seats: Category 2 club-level (200-level) seats provide covered seating and access to upgraded concessions. These sections provide protection from New England’s unpredictable June weather while maintaining good views.

Most Expensive Seats: Putnam Club seats and premium boxes offer luxury amenities with climate control. The ongoing renovations are specifically enhancing these premium areas for the World Cup.

Interactive Gillette Stadium World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower sideline sections (100-level, sections 109-139) benefit from the stadium’s intimate scale, keeping fans close to the action. The venue regularly hosts MLS matches, proving its suitability for soccer.

Worst Views: Upper deck corners (300-level sections 301-308 and 333-340) are both elevated and exposed. These seats lack weather protection and are significantly distant from the pitch, though the stadium’s modest size keeps them more reasonable than larger venues.

Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, California (San Francisco)

Capacity: 71,000

Matches: 6 matches, including Round of 32

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats on the WEST side (sections 201-229) are crucial because these sections receive shade. The eastern side faces direct sun during afternoon matches, making west-side seats significantly more valuable despite similar pricing.

Most Expensive Seats: Field-level suites and club seats with climate control. Given Santa Clara’s warm June temperatures, these air-conditioned premium areas command significant premiums.

Interactive Levi’s Stadium World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower west sideline sections (100-level, sections 101-129) offer both excellent sight lines and crucial afternoon shade. The stadium opened in 2014 with soccer-specific considerations, ensuring good sight lines throughout.

Worst Views: Upper EAST side sections (400-level, sections 401-424) are notoriously problematic. These seats combine extreme sun exposure with heat reflected by the stadium’s design, resulting in temperatures 15-20°F hotter than on the west side. Multiple fans have suffered heat exhaustion here during afternoon events.

Lumen Field – Seattle, Washington

Capacity: 69,000

Matches: 6 matches through the Round of 16

Best Value Seats: Category 2 covered seats in the upper sideline (300-level under the roof) provide weather protection at reasonable prices. Seattle’s June weather can be unpredictable, making covered seating valuable.

Most Expensive Seats: Delta Sky360 Club seats and field-level suites offer premium amenities with some of the best views in soccer-specific design. The stadium was partially designed for MLS to optimize soccer sightlines.

Interactive Lumen Field World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower sideline sections (100-level) offer excellent proximity, with the advantage of the stadium’s steep bowl design that keeps fans close to the action. Downtown Seattle skyline views add to the atmosphere from certain sections.

Worst Views: Upper corners behind the south goal (sections 301-305 and 344-349) are the most distant and exposed. These sections lack roof coverage and are located far from the stadium’s center, despite the stadium’s generally compact design.

Canada Venues (2 Stadiums)

BMO Field – Toronto, Ontario

Capacity: 45,500 (expanded from 30,000 for World Cup)

Matches: 6 matches, including Canada’s opening game

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats in the newly expanded sections offer excellent value. As a purpose-built soccer stadium, even mid-tier seats provide better sight lines than multi-purpose venues. The intimate scale ensures all seats feel close to the action.

Most Expensive Seats: Field-level club seats and premium boxes in the west grandstand. Being the smallest World Cup venue creates premium scarcity, potentially driving prices higher than larger stadiums.

Interactive BMO Field World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: All lower bowl sideline seats (sections 109-124 and 208-223) benefit from the soccer-specific design. The stadium’s compact footprint means even the “worst” seats here are closer than many venues’ best seats. Toronto FC fans consistently rate sight lines as excellent throughout.

Worst Views: Even the upper corners are relatively close, given the stadium’s intimate scale. The newly expanded sections behind the south goal may lack the character of the original structure, but still offer adequate views. Weather exposure is the main concern—June in Toronto can vary from hot to rainy.

BC Place – Vancouver, British Columbia

Capacity: 54,000

Matches: 7 matches through the Round of 16

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats in the middle bowl (200-level sideline sections) offer excellent elevation for tactical viewing, with the significant advantage of the retractable roof that protects against Vancouver’s unpredictable weather.

Most Expensive Seats: Club seats and luxury suites with climate control and premium amenities. The stadium hosted events at the 2010 Winter Olympics, demonstrating its world-class, premium offerings.

Interactive BC Place World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower-bowl sideline sections offer excellent proximity and weather protection from the retractable roof. The stadium’s location on the False Creek waterfront provides stunning views. Sections on the west side may catch sunset views during evening matches.

Worst Views: Upper bowl corners (sections 401-415 and 450-465) are distant, though the retractable roof provides weather protection. The stadium’s oval shape means corner seats offer more angled views than sideline seats.

Mexico Venues (3 Stadiums)

Estadio Azteca – Mexico City, Mexico

Capacity: 83,000

Matches: 5 matches, including the tournament’s opening match on June 11, 2026

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats in the renovated middle tier sections offer the best balance of value and experience. The $100 million renovation completed in March 2026 upgraded these sections while maintaining affordability. The historic atmosphere is palpable from any seat.

Most Expensive Seats: Newly renovated VIP boxes and Palco sections feature luxury amenities. The opening match premium will make these seats among the tournament’s most expensive, celebrating the stadium’s unprecedented third World Cup hosting.

Interactive Estadio Azteca World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: Lower bowl sideline sections (Preferente sections) provide excellent sight lines in the stadium that hosted Pelé’s 1970 triumph and Maradona’s “Hand of God” in 1986. The newly installed LED screens enhance the experience without diminishing the historic character.

Worst Views: Upper bowl corners behind the goals can be quite distant, and the 7,200-foot elevation may affect some visitors’ comfort. The steep rake of the upper sections means significant height. However, the historical significance compensates—you’re watching in the only stadium to host three World Cups.

Estadio BBVA – Guadalupe, México (Monterrey)

Capacity: 53,500

Matches: 4 matches, including the Round of 32

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats in the middle sections provide excellent views in one of Mexico’s most modern stadiums. The “Steel Giant” design ensures good sightlines throughout, and the facility is priced reasonably for a relatively new facility (opened in 2015).

Most Expensive Seats: Premium club sections feature cutting-edge amenities befitting Monterrey’s status as Mexico’s wealthiest city. The aluminum facade and mountain backdrop create a stunning premium experience.

Interactive Estadio BBVA World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: All sideline sections benefit from the stadium’s modern design with no obstructed views. The nearby Sierra Madre mountains provide dramatic backdrops from certain sections. The facility was built specifically for CF Monterrey, with optimal soccer sightlines.

Worst Views: Upper corners are the most distant seats, though the stadium’s relatively compact design keeps all fans closer than many larger venues. Monterrey’s summer heat can be intense—afternoon matches may be uncomfortable in sun-exposed sections despite the modern amenities.

Estadio Akron – Zapopan, México (Guadalajara)

Capacity: 48,000

Matches: 4 group stage matches, including Mexico vs. South Korea

Best Value Seats: Category 2 seats throughout the mid-tier offer excellent value in this intimate venue. As the smallest World Cup stadium (tied with Toronto), even mid-range seats feel close to the action. The Chivas faithful create an incredible atmosphere from all sections.

Most Expensive Seats: Premium boxes and club seats benefit from the volcano-inspired “floating cloud” roof design. The venue’s intimate capacity creates a scarcity of premium seats, potentially driving prices higher despite its size.

Interactive Estadio Akron World Cup Seating Chart

Best Views: All sideline sections offer excellent sightlines thanks to the compact, soccer-specific design. The unique architectural canopy creates partial shade while maintaining an open-air atmosphere. The stadium’s design was specifically optimized for views of Chivas matches.

Worst Views: The upper corners behind the goals are the most distant, but the stadium’s small scale means they are still closer than many venues’ best seats. Traffic and parking around the stadium are notoriously challenging—arrive very early or use rideshare/taxi services. The passionate Guadalajara crowd compensates for any seat limitations.

Planning Your World Cup 2026 Seating Strategy

Key Takeaways:

Weather Matters: Consider climate control and weather protection. Stadiums such as AT&T (Dallas), NRG (Houston), Mercedes-Benz (Atlanta), and BC Place (Vancouver) offer covered/climate-controlled seating, which is valuable for summer conditions.

Soccer-Specific vs. Multi-Purpose: BMO Field (Toronto) and Estadio Akron (Guadalajara) were designed for soccer, offering superior sightlines even from the upper sections. Multi-purpose stadiums may have compromised angles in certain sections.

Stadium Size Trade-offs: Larger venues like AT&T Stadium and MetLife offer more availability but greater distances. Intimate venues like BMO Field and Estadio Akron create a better atmosphere, but limited ticket availability drives prices higher.

Historic vs. Modern: Estadio Azteca offers unmatched history but may lack modern amenities. New stadiums like SoFi provide cutting-edge experiences with premium technology and comfort.

Category 2 Sweet Spot: Across most venues, Category 2 seats offer the best value—avoiding Category 1’s premium pricing while maintaining significantly better views than Categories 3 and 4.

Sun Exposure Critical: At Levi’s Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, and Arrowhead Stadium, seat selection based on sun exposure can make or break your experience. Western sections typically offer afternoon shade.

Dynamic Pricing Reality: FIFA’s dynamic pricing means costs vary significantly by match, teams, and demand. Opening matches, host-nation games, and knockout rounds command substantial premiums over standard group-stage matches.

Final Recommendations:

For the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup expansion to 48 teams, careful venue and seat selection can significantly impact your experience. Research specific sections using stadium seating charts before purchasing, consider weather conditions for your match dates, and weigh the trade-offs between premium proximity and mid-tier value seats.

Whether you’re watching Messi potentially play his final World Cup at MetLife Stadium’s final, experiencing the passion at Estadio Azteca’s historic third World Cup, or enjoying modern luxury at SoFi Stadium, understanding venue-specific seating nuances ensures you maximize your once-in-a-lifetime World Cup experience.

Remember: The best seat isn’t always the most expensive one—it’s the one that matches your priorities for atmosphere, view quality, weather protection, and budget. Use this guide to make informed decisions and secure the perfect seats for your 2026 FIFA World Cup adventure.