Budget Travel Guide — World Cup 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event in history — and one of the most expensive to attend. With smart planning, you can experience it without destroying your finances.

The Alt-City Savings Strategy

The single biggest money-saver for World Cup 2026 fans.

Most people book hotels in the host city itself — but the stadiums are often not in the city centre:

| Host City | Alt City | Savings | Distance | |---|---|---|---| | Miami | Fort Lauderdale | ~$50/night | 30 min | | Dallas | Fort Worth | ~$40/night | 30 min | | San Francisco | Santa Clara / San Jose | ~$60/night | Stadium IS in Santa Clara | | Boston | Foxborough / Providence | ~$35/night | Stadium IS in Foxborough | | New York | Newark / Jersey City | ~$80/night | 15-20 min by train |

MetLife Stadium (venue for the Final) is in New Jersey — not Manhattan. Staying in Newark saves $80+/night.

Book Now — Hotels Are Selling Out

Hotels near stadiums are selling out fast. Book refundable rates now — you can cancel later if plans change. By May, the best options will be gone.

Transport Tips

Within cities

Most host stadiums have public transit options:

• MetLife (NY): NJ Transit from Penn Station
• Mercedes-Benz (Atlanta): MARTA rail
• Lumen Field (Seattle): Sound Transit Link

Between cities

• Flights: Book 3-4 months ahead for best prices
• Amtrak: Good for Northeast corridor (NY, Philly, Boston)

Daily Budget Estimates

| City | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable | |---|---|---|---| | New York | $150/day | $250/day | $400+/day | | Los Angeles | $120/day | $200/day | $350+/day | | Miami | $100/day | $180/day | $300+/day | | Mexico City | $60/day | $100/day | $180/day | | Vancouver | $110/day | $180/day | $300+/day |

Excludes match tickets and flights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it too late to find affordable hotels? Some cities are getting expensive but alt-cities still have availability. Act this week.

How much should I budget total? For a 7-day trip with 2-3 matches: $2,000-$4,000 from North America, $3,500-$6,000 from Europe.