The San Francisco Bay Area will host World Cup 2026 matches at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, the home of the San Francisco 49ers. The region of Silicon Valley, the Golden Gate Bridge and world-class food will be one of the most popular destinations of the tournament, and the stadium will host group games and knockout ties.

Levi's Stadium is in Santa Clara, about 45 minutes from downtown San Francisco, and seats 68,500 fans. It is a modern, high-tech stadium, and for the World Cup, it will be one of the most impressive venues in the tournament. Here is the complete fan guide to the San Francisco Bay Area at World Cup 2026.

The stadium: Levi's

Levi's Stadium opened in 2014 and is the home of the San Francisco 49ers. It is one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world, with Wi-Fi throughout, a huge video board, and a design that takes advantage of the California sun. It has hosted a Super Bowl and some of the biggest concerts in the world.

For the World Cup, Levi's Stadium will host group-stage matches and knockout ties. The pitch will be natural grass, and the atmosphere will be superb, with fans from all over the world filling the stands. The stadium is known for its food, with local Bay Area cuisine available on the concourses.

The stadium seats 68,500 fans, and the sightlines are excellent. The open-air design means the weather will be a factor, but June in the Bay Area is usually warm and sunny, with temperatures around 25 degrees, perfect for football.

Matches in the Bay Area

The Bay Area will host group-stage matches and knockout ties, with teams from several groups playing at Levi's Stadium. The exact fixtures depend on the final draw, but the quality of the games is guaranteed, and the city will host some of the most passionate crowds in the tournament.

The knockout games in Santa Clara will be particularly special. With the stadium full and the California sun shining, the atmosphere will be among the best in the tournament. The Bay Area is a global city, and the crowds will reflect that diversity, with fans from every continent in the stands.

Tickets for Bay Area matches are among the most expensive in the tournament, because San Francisco is one of the priciest cities in America. Group-stage tickets start at around $60 for Category 4, but hotels and food will add up fast.

Getting there

Levi's Stadium is in Santa Clara, about 45 minutes from downtown San Francisco by car. The best public transport option is Caltrain, which runs from San Francisco to Santa Clara, with shuttle buses to the stadium on match days. The VTA light rail also serves the stadium area.

From San Francisco International Airport, the stadium is about 40 minutes by car, or around an hour by public transport. San Jose International Airport is closer, about 15 minutes from the stadium by car, and it has direct flights from all over the United States.

Driving is possible, but traffic in the Bay Area is heavy, and parking at the stadium is expensive on match days. Public transport is faster, cheaper and much less stressful, and the Caltrain is a scenic ride through Silicon Valley.

Where to stay and what to do

The best areas to stay are San Francisco itself, for the sights and the nightlife, and San Jose and Santa Clara, for convenience and lower prices. San Francisco is expensive, with hotels costing $250 or more a night, while San Jose and Santa Clara offer better value and are closer to the stadium.

The Bay Area has endless things to do: the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, and the tech campuses of Silicon Valley are all worth visiting. The food scene is world-class, from Michelin-starred restaurants to food trucks, and the wine country of Napa and Sonoma is just an hour away.

The FIFA Fan Festival will be held in San Francisco, with giant screens, live music and food vendors. It is free to enter and a great way to watch the games you do not have tickets for. The Bay Area in June is warm and sunny, with temperatures around 25 degrees, perfect for exploring the region.