Updated: 2026-06-19 | Real-time information is subject to official announcements
The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the first time in history that three countries have jointly hosted the tournament. Match days are of course the main event, but my years of leading tours and travelling independently around Canada have taught me something: many fans fly all this way, yet the most unforgettable memories often aren’t inside the stadium, but out on that street after the final whistle, in that restaurant, at that gathering on the corner. This piece is about how to combine “watching the football” with “exploring the city” to enjoy a richer, more layered World Cup.
Let me lay out the framework first. Across the 16 host cities worldwide, the United States has 11 (Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle), Mexico has 3 (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey), and Canada has two: Vancouver and Toronto. For Chinese-speaking audiences, these two Canadian bases have mature transport and relatively reassuring safety, making them well suited as the home base for the whole trip.
Vancouver‘s matches are held at BC Place, a venue with a retractable roof, so rain or a cold snap is less likely to spoil the fun. Beyond the football, my own top recommendation is the Granville Island Public Market — perennially one of Vancouver’s most popular spots, where freshly caught seafood, just-baked bread and local artisan stalls are packed together, giving it a real sense of everyday life. From the market a short ferry ride takes you to stroll around Kitsilano Beach, and going a bit further you can feel the rich multicultural atmosphere of Richmond. Crowds concentrate in the city centre during the tournament, so for transport I’d recommend relying on the TransLink system and taking the SkyTrain; extra services and crowd controls on match days are subject to official announcements, and leaving more generous travel time than usual is never a mistake.
Toronto‘s matches fall at BMO Field; the city is large in scale and its districts are diverse, so it’s perfect to wander slowly on foot after the match. The area around the Eaton Centre, St. Lawrence Market and Queen Street West are all districts where you can while away half a day on foot. Getting around the city is easiest via TTC public transit; on match days likewise watch out for crowd controls and schedule adjustments, and check the official information before heading out.
If your itinerary spans both the US and Canada, or you want to chain together several host cities, be sure to prepare your cross-border documents in advance. Travellers from most visa-exempt countries entering Canada by air need to first apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), which costs CAD 7; most cases are approved within minutes, but occasionally it can take longer, so don’t leave it to the last moment. Note that the eTA is a requirement for entry by air; if you enter by land (car, bus, train) or by sea, in most cases an eTA is not required. Different nationalities are subject to different rules — whether you need an eTA or a visa, and whether your passport’s validity is sufficient, must be confirmed on Canada’s official immigration website for the latest eligibility. Such rules are occasionally adjusted, so always defer to official announcements.
A few practical reminders to finish. Accommodation demand surges during the tournament, and room rates in host cities are generally higher than usual; booking early and reading the cancellation/change policy carefully can save you plenty of effort and money. Inter-city services may also be adjusted slightly because of the tournament, so confirm the timetable once more before departure. City tourism bodies usually launch limited cultural tours or dining events during the World Cup window, but specific dates and registration methods must follow the latest official announcements — don’t rush off based on second-hand information. Only by combining the tension inside the stadium with the leisure outside it does this World Cup trip feel worthwhile. To get the full picture of the schedule first, you can refer to our complete 2026 World Cup schedule and information round-up, then plan further based on the cities you want to visit.
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