For millions of fans, World Cup 2026 will be their first trip to the United States. The country is big, the cities are different from each other, and the practical details, from tipping to transport, can be confusing. Some host cities are much easier for a first-time visitor than others. Here are the best American host cities for your first trip to the USA, and what you need to know before you go.

New York and New Jersey: the easiest first stop

New York is the best first-time city in America. It has the most flights from everywhere, the best public transport in the country, and a city centre that is easy to navigate on foot. The subway runs all night, taxis and rideshares are everywhere, and you can find food from every country on earth. The World Cup final is at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a short train ride from Manhattan. For a first-time visitor, New York is the safest choice: everything is in English and Spanish, everyone is used to tourists, and the city is built for visitors.

San Francisco Bay Area: the most beautiful welcome

The San Francisco Bay Area is the most beautiful first impression of America. The matches are at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, south of the city, but the city itself is compact, walkable and full of famous sights: the Golden Gate Bridge, the cable cars, the waterfront. The Bay Area has great public transport, a huge international community, and food from every culture. It is also one of the most expensive host cities, so budget carefully. But for a first-time visitor who wants beauty and ease, it is hard to beat.

Boston: history, walkability and friendly fans

Boston is the most walkable big city in America, and one of the friendliest for visitors. The matches are at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, about 45 minutes from the city, but Boston itself is compact, historic and easy to explore on foot. The Freedom Trail, the harbour, the universities and the pubs are all within a short walk. Boston's football fans are famously welcoming, especially to Scottish supporters, and the city's bars are some of the best in the tournament. For a first-time visitor, Boston feels manageable in a way that Los Angeles and Dallas do not.

Seattle and Miami: two very different welcomes

Seattle is one of the easiest American cities to visit: compact, walkable, with great public transport and a famous football culture at Lumen Field. The city is friendly, the coffee is famous, and the stadium is downtown, which makes matchday simple. Miami is the opposite: spread out, car-dependent and hot, but also the most Latin city in the tournament, with Spanish spoken everywhere and a party atmosphere that suits the World Cup. If you speak Spanish, Miami is the easiest city in America. If you do not, Seattle is the easier choice.

Practical tips for first-time visitors

First, sort out your entry documents early: most visitors need an ESTA or a visa, and processing can take weeks. Second, bring a card that works in the United States and tell your bank you are travelling. Third, tipping is expected: 15 to 20 percent in restaurants, a dollar or two per drink in bars, and tips for hotel staff and drivers. Fourth, the drinking age is 21, and bars check ID. Fifth, distances are bigger than they look on a map: always check how long the trip to the stadium really takes. And finally, download the local transit app before you arrive.

Our verdict: where to start your American trip

If it is your first time in the United States, start in New York: it is the easiest, the most exciting and the home of the final. Add Boston or Seattle for a walkable second city, or the Bay Area for beauty. Save Los Angeles and Dallas for a second trip, when you know how American cities work. And whatever city you choose, remember that the World Cup is the best reason to visit America for the first time: the whole country will be ready for you.