Monterrey is the most underrated host city of the 2026 World Cup. Four matches at Estadio BBVA, a stadium set against the mountains that many call the most beautiful in North America. A proud industrial city with a fierce football culture, the best grilled meat in Mexico, and a setting unlike anywhere else in the tournament.

Estadio BBVA: football at the foot of the mountains

Estadio BBVA, home of Rayados de Monterrey, sits in Guadalupe, east of the city centre, with the Cerro de la Silla mountain as its backdrop. It holds around 53,000 fans and is widely considered the finest stadium in Mexico: steep stands, great sightlines, and an atmosphere that rattles. It hosts four World Cup matches, from June 14 to June 29. Getting there is by rideshare or the Metrorrey metro plus a bus — allow at least an hour from the centre on match days, as traffic around the stadium is heavy.

The heat: how to handle a Monterrey summer

Monterrey in June is hot and dry, with temperatures often above 35°C. This is the hottest host city in the tournament, and it matters. Drink water constantly, wear a hat and sunscreen, and avoid the midday sun. The stadium has shaded areas, but the walk from the transport drop-off can be long and exposed. Evening matches are far more comfortable than afternoon ones, and the Fan Festival areas will have shade and water stations. Take the heat seriously — heat exhaustion is the most common medical problem at summer tournaments.

Carne asada: the food Monterrey is famous for

Monterrey is the capital of carne asada, Mexico's great grilled-beef tradition. The city's steakhouses and roadside parrillas serve thick-cut beef, grilled over mesquite, with flour tortillas, grilled onions and salsa. A proper carne asada meal costs far less than a steak dinner in the USA, and the quality is superb. The Barrio Antiguo, the old quarter, is the best place to eat and drink: cobbled streets, colonial buildings, and bars that stay open late. For a pre-match meal, the restaurants of San Pedro Garza García, the upscale suburb, are the best in the city.

Where to stay: San Pedro or Barrio Antiguo

The best base is San Pedro Garza García, Monterrey's most livable district, with the NH Collection Monterrey San Pedro as the top luxury option. It is about 20-25 minutes by rideshare from Estadio BBVA, but the neighbourhood itself is worth it: safe, green, full of restaurants and cafés. Budget travellers should look at the Fiesta Inn Monterrey La Fe, with good stadium access and rates around $85-185 per night. The Barrio Antiguo is the choice for atmosphere, with boutique hotels like the Antigua Casona Allende in a cobbled colonial setting.

Between matches: mountains and the Macroplaza

Monterrey's great asset is its setting. Take the cable car up Cerro de la Silla for a view over the whole city, or drive to the Cola de Caballo waterfall in the mountains. In the city, the Macroplaza — one of the largest public squares in the world — is the centre of the Fan Festival and the place to watch matches on giant screens. The Museo de Historia Mexicana and the Fundidora Park, a former steelworks turned into a cultural park, are worth a morning each.

Frequently asked questions

How many matches does Monterrey host? Four, at Estadio BBVA. How do I get to the stadium? Rideshare or metro plus bus, about an hour from the centre. How hot is it? Often above 35°C — drink water and wear sunscreen. Where should I stay? San Pedro Garza García for comfort, Barrio Antiguo for atmosphere. What should I eat? Carne asada — it is what the city is famous for.