The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in exactly one week, and all the excitement of the tournament is really at the surface. Soon, 48 teams, including the United States Men’s National Team, will convene across North America to compete for the ultimate prize: the World Cup trophy.
There are many areas where the 2026 World Cup will be different from any other World Cup save for maybe the 1994 World Cup, which also took place in the United States. Many of the changes are not welcome. However, for the sports
lover, there is one thing that they will be able to do that usually isn’t possible at a World Cup: see other sporting events!
In North America, particularly the United States, sports don’t stop for the biggest sporting event ever. They provide alternative programming for those who might want a change of pace or something to do between the World Cup matches they’re interested in. And in most countries, you can’t look to other domestic sports leagues because they are largely shut down or with seasons that have ended.
Major League Soccer, America and Canada’s top flight domestic soccer league, will be on hiatus for the entirety of the 2026 World Cup, and LigaMX, Mexico’s top flight league, is out of season. Their Apertura season will start after the World Cup ends. The NWSL has an extended break for the first month of the World Cup, and LigaMX Femenil is also out of season. However, for the other sports across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, life goes on!
So, for fans traveling to North America for the games, or for home fans who can’t get enough of the sports, there’s a ton of options for you in the host cities that aren’t always available during the World Cup: baseball, basketball, football, even cricket and lucha libre wrestling. And, certainly some fans are going to seek out some of these sporting events that are going on in the host cities on the days where a World Cup match isn’t taking place there.
So, here we are! Below is the ultimate spreadsheet that has an extensive list of almost every team that is playing at home in a host city during the 2026 World Cup.
If you need the direct link to view the spreadsheet and download it, here you go
The spreadsheet contains the home games/matches that are taking place in the host city’s metropolitan area during the World Cup, from the day before the first match until the day after the World Cup Final. On each day, you can see the list of what sporting events might be happening in the city you are for the World Cup and which league it is, from USL Championship to Major League Cricket. Times aren’t listed, and you’ll have to consult the team websites for ticket information on each particular match. But, it allows people who just love sports to know what other sports happen to be going on while you’re in a particular city.
Are you visiting a city for the first time and want to cross off stadium that you’ve never visited? You can do that. Never seen a minor league baseball game before? Check out that column and experience America’s national treasure. Want to do multiple stadiums and multiple games in the same day? Some cities offer that, like the USA-Australia match in Seattle on June 19th ending a few hours before the Seattle Mariners take on the Boston Red Sox right next door. Need to see a lucha libre show while you’re in Mexico City? Of course you do! This spreadsheet will have the dates you can do just that.
Because of matchday operations, most cities with another stadium next to the World Cup venue will not have a game the day of a World Cup match. But, there are some options to really turn your World Cup into a true summer of sports. And, for the few off days later in the tournament where there are no World Cup matches and you need something to watch? This spreadsheet will give you some of the options available in World Cup host cities across North America.
The World Cup is almost here, and we’re excited for it! But now, you can really get excited for a summer of sports overload as the world unites to crown a champion.
