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World Cup 2026 in San Francisco Bay Area: Matches, Stadium and Travel

By Sofia Reyes, Host Cities CorrespondentLast Updated: 2026-07-04⏱️ 5 min read
World Cup 2026 in San Francisco Bay Area: Matches, Stadium and Travel
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San Francisco hosts 6 World Cup 2026 matches at Levi's Stadium, a 68,500-seat venue in USA. The city's tournament opens on Sat, Jun 13 and runs through Wed, Jul 1. This guide covers the fixtures, how to reach Levi's Stadium, where to stay, and what to do between matches.

Of the 6 games staged in San Francisco, 5 fall in the group stage and 1 are knockout fixtures. The first kicks off when Qatar meet Switzerland at 12:00 local time on Sat, Jun 13. All kick-off times below are listed in San Francisco's local zone (Los Angeles), so convert them to your home time before you set alarms.

DateMatchKick-off (local)Stage
Sat, Jun 13Qatar vs Switzerland12:00Group B
Tue, Jun 16Austria vs Jordan21:00Group J
Fri, Jun 19Türkiye vs Paraguay20:00Group D
Mon, Jun 22Jordan vs Algeria20:00Group J
Thu, Jun 25Paraguay vs Australia19:00Group D
Wed, Jul 1United States vs Bosnia & Herzegovina17:00Round of 32

Every confirmed World Cup 2026 fixture at Levi's Stadium.

The standout date for San Francisco is the round of 32 between United States and Bosnia & Herzegovina on Wed, Jul 1. Because San Francisco keeps 1 knockout fixture, demand for hotels and flights spikes sharply in the back half of the tournament, so lock in refundable bookings before the bracket is set. If you are chasing more than one game here, cluster your stay around the dates in the table above rather than committing to the full window.

How to reach San Francisco for the World Cup

Fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland (OAK), or San Jose Mineta (SJC) which is closest to the stadium. From the airport, give yourself a generous buffer on matchdays — crowds peak in the three hours before kick-off at Levi's Stadium. Fly into San Jose Mineta (SJC) or San Francisco International (SFO). Stay in Santa Clara, San Jose, or Sunnyvale. Where you can, travel light: Levi's Stadium enforces a small-bag policy and queues at screening grow quickly once gates open.

Public transport to Levi's Stadium

Take BART to connect around the bay, Caltrain to travel from SF to Santa Clara, and VTA light rail directly to Levi's Stadium gates. VTA Light Rail runs directly to Great America Station. Caltrain connects from San Francisco with shuttle options. Exposed to direct sunlight on the east stand. Bring sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen for afternoon matches.

Where to stay and what to do in San Francisco

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, dine in Chinatown, and explore the high-tech culture of Silicon Valley near the stadium. Away from the football, Walk the Golden Gate Bridge, visit Alcatraz Island, dine in Fisherman's Wharf, explore Golden Gate Park, and visit Silicon Valley tech headquarters. San Francisco is one of the pricier host markets, so book accommodation early and expect premium matchday rates close to the stadium.

Popular neighbourhoods to base yourself in San Francisco:

  • Fisherman's Wharf
  • Mission District
  • Union Square
  • Santa Clara
  • San Jose

Food, drink and pre-match spots near Levi's Stadium

Garlic fries, Dungeness crab sandwiches, vegan street foods, and premium Napa Valley wines. Card-only. If you would rather eat in the city first, the Fisherman's Wharf area is an easy pre-match base before you ride out to Levi's Stadium.

Climate and matchday safety in San Francisco

At about 37.4°N, Levi's Stadium sees warm, often humid early-summer conditions — hydration matters for day fixtures. Cool and foggy in SF (14°C to 20°C / 57°F to 68°F), but much warmer in Santa Clara near the stadium (22°C to 28°C / 72°F to 82°F). Pack accordingly and plan your stadium arrival around the heat of the day where relevant. Mind property safety; do not leave bags visible in parked rental cars. Stick to official fan zones and signed transit routes around Levi's Stadium on matchdays.

Featured Host Cities

New York/New Jersey

USA

Serviced by three major airports: Newark Liberty (EWR) which is closest to the stadium, John F. Kennedy (JFK), and LaGuardia (LGA). All connect to transit.

Dallas

USA

Fly into Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — a massive global hub — or Dallas Love Field (DAL) for domestic connections.

Los Angeles

USA

Serviced by Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario (ONT), John Wayne (SNA), and Hollywood Burbank (BUR).

Featured Host Stadiums

MetLife Stadium

New York/New Jersey, USA

Cap: 82,500

AT&T Stadium

Dallas, USA

Cap: 80,000

SoFi Stadium

Los Angeles, USA

Cap: 70,240

Frequently Asked Questions

How many World Cup 2026 matches are in San Francisco?

San Francisco hosts 6 matches at Levi's Stadium, including 1 knockout-stage game.

Which stadium hosts the World Cup in San Francisco?

All San Francisco fixtures are played at Levi's Stadium, which holds 68,500 spectators. Located in Santa Clara, CA, in the heart of Silicon Valley, this eco-friendly venue features a green roof and smart-stadium tech.

When does San Francisco host its World Cup 2026 matches?

San Francisco's fixtures run from Sat, Jun 13 to Wed, Jul 1, with kick-offs listed in Los Angeles local time.

SR

Sofia Reyes

Host Cities Correspondent

Sofia is a North America travel writer who has lived in Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles. She reports on neighbourhoods, fan zones and the practical realities of each host city for visiting supporters.

Focus areas: Host city guides · Neighbourhoods & fan zones · Local transport

Editorial standards: see our editorial policy and corrections policy.

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