The 2026 World Cup will be the largest tournament ever, with 16 venues across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Each stadium has a unique story, reflecting the past, present and future of sports in its city. Stadium names used here are the Fifa-approved versions, not sponsored names.
BC Place in Vancouver boasts a cable-supported retractable roof, the largest of its kind globally. Originally built for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the roof was added during a renovation after the Games. For the World Cup, it will likely remain closed to protect the imported natural grass from uneven sunlight. The roof can open in about 20 minutes if needed. The stadium hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, and the 2015 Women's World Cup final, where Carli Lloyd's hat-trick led the USA to a 5-2 win over Japan.
Seattle's stadium, built on the site of the former Kingdome, is one of the few US World Cup venues in an urban core. Its architecture includes a roof covering most sideline seats, the pyramid-shaped 'Hawk's Nest' bleacher section, and public art like Bob Houzous' 'Earth Dialogue'. The stadium has recorded crowd-induced seismic activity, including the 2011 'Beast Quake' and Taylor Swift concerts. In 2022, the Seattle Sounders became the first MLS club to win the Concacaf Champions League there, with a crowd of 68,741.
The Bay Area venue replaced Candlestick Park and is praised for its eco-friendly design and clear sightlines. Its upper deck is closer to the field than most, thanks to a large block of luxury suites. Despite being 40 miles south of San Francisco, it offers a modern experience for fans.
