World Cup 2026 Travel Guide for England and Scotland Fans: Flights, Beds, and Tips

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Key Details for England and Scotland Matches

We now have full details on where and when England and Scotland will compete in the men's football World Cup this summer. The tournament, running from 11 June to 19 July 2026, is hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, but both home teams will play their initial three group games at American venues.

England will face Croatia in their opening match on 17 June in Dallas, followed by Ghana on 23 June in Boston, and Panama on 27 June in New York. For Scotland, making their first men's World Cup appearance in 28 years, the first two matches are both in Boston: against Haiti on 14 June and Morocco on 19 June. Boston is the closest venue to Scotland. Their final group match against Brazil is in Miami on 24 June.

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With days to fill between games, planning is a complex geographical puzzle. This guide provides answers to all key questions for fans.

Pre-Travel Essentials for World Cup Fans

Before embarking on your journey, be prepared for hot weather, especially for England's first match against Croatia in Dallas, where average daily highs reach 33°C. For Scotland's final group game against Brazil in Miami, expect 31°C with high humidity.

Costs could be high: while international air fares are falling compared to summer 2025, domestic flight prices are soaring. Accommodation is also pricey, with the cheapest hotel in downtown Dallas on the night of England's first match nearly £400.

First, sort out the red tape. Apply for an Esta permit, costing $40 (£31), before making any travel commitments. Most are granted within days, but refusals can occur for reasons like having a similar name to someone on a watchlist. If denied, you'll need to apply for a visa, a slow and expensive process requiring attendance at the US Embassy in London or Consulate in Belfast, with no guarantee of success and a six-week wait for interviews.

Transatlantic Airfares and Flight Options

Tracking prices from an England fan's perspective: a non-stop flight from London Heathrow to Dallas-Fort Worth on 16 June, returning from New York JFK on 27 June, was £837 on American Airlines before locations were confirmed, rising to £993 within three hours. The price has remained unchanged for three months.

London offers the highest concentration of transatlantic flights, with Manchester and Edinburgh far behind. Travelling via Continental Europe allows connections from many English and Scottish airports. For example, Newcastle to Dallas on 16 June, returning from New York on 27 June, costs £1,005 on KLM via Amsterdam.

To reduce costs, consider connecting in Dublin; Ireland did not qualify for the World Cup. United offers flights from Dublin via Newark or Washington DC to Dallas-Fort Worth, returning nonstop from Newark, for £787 on those dates. Ryanair has return flights from Birmingham to Dublin for £43, though connections are not guaranteed. Flying through Dublin also allows pre-clearing US border formalities before the transatlantic flight.

Domestic Travel Within the US

Numerous US domestic flights serve Boston, Dallas, New York, and Miami—the match venues for England and Scotland. However, demand from fans, media, and organisers is driving up fares. OAG analysis shows domestic flight prices for June and July 2026 compared to 2025: Miami is 65% more expensive, Boston 36%, and New York 28%.

The cheapest flight from Boston to Miami the day after Scotland's second game is £164 with a 6am departure; some later flights exceed £1,000. Delaying the trip a few days and flying south the day before the last match against Brazil can cost as little as £85.

Train Travel Alternatives

Amtrak intercity trains offer reasonable fares. Between Boston and New York, Amtrak "Northeast Regional" trains take about four hours and 15 minutes, with fares as low as $25 (£19). "Acela" branded trains are faster but business and first class only, with the cheapest ticket costing $226 (£171).

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From Boston to Miami on the day after Scotland's second game, Amtrak via Washington DC costs $258 (£195). Greyhound and FlixBus fares are surprisingly high, typically $75 (£57) for the four-hour trip from Boston to New York.

Securing Match Tickets

At this stage, tickets require significant expenditure. For example, Fifa sells a hospitality package for the Scotland-Haiti match in Boston on 13 June, including a good ticket and access to the Pitchside Lounge, for $3,900 (£2,954).

The "Last Minute Sales Phase" begins at 11am Eastern time (4pm British Summer Time) on 1 April through Fifa.com/tickets. This final tranche is first-come, first-served, allowing fans to select specific seats and receive immediate confirmation.

The secondary market is active, with intermediaries selling the cheapest tickets for England's first match against Croatia for £840—over four times face value. The Foreign Office warns to only purchase through the official Fifa platform, as fraudulent tickets may be rejected at stadium gates.

Accommodation Options and Costs

Unless you have friends or family with spare beds, prepare for high costs, especially for the England match in New York. On 27 June, a budget hotel like the Holiday Inn Express in midtown Manhattan costs $591 (£448), and a basic single room at the YMCA with a shared bathroom is $337 (£255).

Consider alternatives: booking in other New York City boroughs, such as the Best Western at Coney Island with good Subway connections, which cost £212 on the "England night" compared to £120 last summer.

Cheaper Accommodation Strategies

Patience can pay off. Hotels often set high rates for events with many travelling fans, but as normal guests avoid host cities, prices may fall in the weeks before the tournament. Additionally, platforms like Airbnb may see increased listings as locals rent out their places, putting downward pressure on prices.

Making the Most of Time Between Games

Treat the trip as a holiday with football attached. Boston offers 48 hours of exploration, with attractions in Massachusetts like Cape Cod and Lowell. England fans travelling from Dallas to Boston and Scotland fans going from Boston to Miami have opportunities for road trips.

From Dallas, meander through Tennessee, visiting Memphis and Nashville, then follow the Appalachian mountains. Hertz offers a five-day rental for a Chevrolet Malibu, picking up at Dallas-Fort Worth on 18 June and dropping off in Boston, for £758.

For Scotland fans, the I-95 runs from Boston to Miami via New York and Washington DC, with top spots like Savannah and the Kennedy Space Center along the way, plus diversions to Orlando's theme parks.