The 2026 World Cup, the largest tournament ever, will feature 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 the sponsored names that conflict with the governing body's clean venue rules.
BC Place in Vancouver boasts one of the most distinctive architectural features: a cable-supported retractable roof, the largest of its kind globally. Added during a major renovation after the 2010 Winter Olympics, the roof casts a shadow across the field when open. However, recent reports suggest it will remain closed for the World Cup due to concerns about uneven sunlight affecting the imported natural grass. The roof takes about 20 minutes to open if Fifa decides to do so. The stadium's usual tenants are the Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS) and BC Lions (Canadian Football League). A memorable non-soccer event was the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics, the first indoor Olympic opening ceremony. A memorable soccer game was the 2015 Women's World Cup final, where Carli Lloyd's hat-trick led the US to a 5-2 win over Japan.
Seattle Stadium, built on the site of the former Kingdome, is one of the few US World Cup venues located in the urban core. Its distinctive architecture includes a roof covering most sideline seats, a pyramid-shaped bleacher section called the Hawk's Nest, and public art such as Earth Dialogue by Native American artist Bob Houzous. The stadium's usual tenants are the Seattle Sounders (MLS), Seattle Reign (NWSL), and Seattle Seahawks (NFL). Notable seismic events include the 2011 Beast Quake run by Marshawn Lynch and Taylor Swift's Eras Tour dates in July 2023. A memorable soccer game was the 2022 Concacaf Champions League final, where Seattle became the first MLS club to win the tournament in its current format.
The Bay Area venue replaced the iconic Candlestick Park, located 40 miles south. It is praised for its environment-friendly design and clean sightlines, with an upper deck closer to the field than most due to a large block of luxury suites. The stadium's usual tenants include the San Francisco 49ers (NFL) and San Jose Earthquakes (MLS). A memorable non-soccer event was Super Bowl 50 in 2016. A memorable soccer game was the 2023 Leagues Cup final, where Inter Miami CF defeated Nashville SC on penalties.
