San Francisco tickets

As one of the most iconic regions in the United States, the San Francisco Bay Area stands out as an exceptional host of this summer's World Cup. Famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and its role as a cultural and economic hub, the Bay Area's rich cultural tapestry, iconic landmarks, and passionate sports culture make it the perfect melting pot to welcome an influx of international football fans. Having already hosted massive sporting events like the Super Bowl and the World Cup in 1994, the San Francisco Bay Area is sure to deliver an unforgettable World Cup experience in 2026.

How to buy tickets for the World Cup matches in City

The World Cup is the pinnacle of professional football, and it only comes around every four years, so tickets are in high demand and notoriously difficult to get your hands on. In fact, it's common for fans to reach out to our support team asking: How can I book World Cup tickets in the San Francisco Bay Area? And it can be tricky. Let's walk you through all the steps so you can start thinking about booking your flights across the pond.

1. Select the match you want to attend and click 'View Tickets'.
2. Select the area you would like to sit within the stadium graphic on the right-hand side.
3. Select the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
4. Click on the green 'Buy' button.
5. Complete the order form using your personal details.
6. Don't forget to check that all your information has been input and is correct.
7. Click 'Make Payment'.
8. The tickets are now yours!

For an extended guide you can watch our how to book World Cup tickets article! Ticket prices tend to vary depending on the seat category and match type, so do bear that in mind when selecting matches. Some games, mainly knockout matches or popular teams, can sell out incredibly quickly, so make sure you book early and are on high alert for when tickets come on sale!

Which stadium in the City hosts World Cup matches

Out of the 104 matches throughout the 2026 World Cup, 6 of them will be played in the San Francisco Bay Area, with all 6 played at Levi's Stadium. Located in Santa Clara, California, the venue, which will be known as "San Francisco Bay Area Stadium" throughout the World Cup, is known for its cutting-edge design and sustainability features.

Playfully nicknamed "The Field of Jeans", Levi's Stadium opened in 2014 and cost $1.3 billion to build, and features an open-Air design offering panoramic views of Silicon Valley, one of the most advanced in-stadium apps in sport, and its own solar panels, helping offset energy use during games and events.

Currently home to NFL side the San Francisco 49ers, Levi's Stadium has hosted Super Bowl 50, WrestleMania 31, the College Football Playoff National Championship, and concerts by artists like Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran. With its massive 68,500 capacity and proven track record for major events, it's the ideal venue for a thrilling series of World Cup matches in 2026.

Fan zones locations in City

Although the official venue for the San Francisco Bay Area World Cup Fan Festival has not been announced, it is widely expected to take place in San Francisco itself due to to its global recognition, accessibility, and infrastructure. Potential options include Golden Gate Park or Civic Center Plaza, which both offer easy public transit access, open spaces, and experience hosting large-scale public events.

Here, fans will be able to enjoy live match screenings, food vendors, music performances, and interactive games. If you're attending a game or just looking to soak up the vibes, the Fan Festival promises to be a lively experience.

Accommodation tips in the city for football fans

If you've got tickets to a World Cup match in Santa Clara and you would like to stay close to the stadium, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Here's a full guide of the options you have at your disposal.

Near Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California)

If you are staying for a longer period of time or you are travelling as part of a group, you could consider booking an Airbnb or a short-term rental. For all stays, ensure you book early to avoid price surges as the World Cup draws closer and demand for accommodation skyrockets.

How to get to city (city centre)

If you are flying from the UK, the most common route to the San Francisco Bay Area is from London Heathrow to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Direct flights are widely available and typically take around 11 hours.

Once you arrive, getting into the city is relatively straightforward. SFO is located about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco, depending on traffic. Taxis, airport shuttles and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft operate 24/7, and rental cars are available from multiple providers. For short trips or exploring areas like the Mission District, Fisherman's Wharf or Golden Gate Park, bike-share stations and e-scooter rentals are common throughout central San Francisco.

Driving is an option, but traffic in the Bay Area can be unpredictable, especially near major venues such as Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara or the expected Fan Festival site in San Francisco. Public transport, including BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), Caltrain, and Muni, is often a smarter choice for navigating the region efficiently and avoiding parking hassles.

Travel information between connected cities

The San Francisco Bay Area is part of the Western Region, which includes Los Angeles, Seattle, and Vancouver. These cities are spread across the Pacific coast and are not connected by a single trainline like in the Eastern Region, but Amtrak does operate scenic long-distance routes such as the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner. Train journeys can be lengthy, but Amtrak trains are comfortable and offer stunning views of the coastline and mountains along the way.

If you've got tickets for a World Cup fixture but would prefer not to travel by train, flights between these host cities are frequent and affordable, especially with airlines like Southwest, Alaska and Delta. Domestic flights are considered the quickest way to travel between cities in the Western Region, so they're a great option if you're on a tight schedule.

You do also have the option of going on a road trip, but they do tend to be quite time-consuming, as you can see below:

Football history in the city

Football made its first appearances in the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1850s, brought across the Atlantic by immigrants from the British Isles following the Gold Rush. Football in the Bay Area remained largely informal and unstructured until 1902, when the San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) was founded. The SFSFL, which is still up and running today, is considered the oldest continuously operating football league in the US.

However, it wasn't until 1967, when the North American Soccer League (NASL) was founded, that the area had a professional team to rally behind, with teams like the Oakland Clippers and San Jose Earthquakes emerging. The Earthquakes became a fixture in the region, and, following an 11-year interlude following the disbandment of the NASL, continued into the MLS era in 1995. Playing their games at PayPal Park, San Jose, the Earthquakes have gone on to be hugely successful, winning the MLS twice and the Supporters Shield once.

A major driver of their success lies in the club's ability to attract top talent and cultivate homegrown stars who leave a lasting impact on and off the pitch. Fans of the club have witnessed countless legends grace Paypal Park over the years, including prolific scorer Chris Wondolowski, midfield maestro Dwayne De Rosario, and USMNT legend Landon Donovan.

With such a rich football heritage, San Francisco Bay stands as a natural choice to host the World Cup and is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience for all football fans descending on the area this summer.