The San Francisco Bay Area hosts WC 2026 matches at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara (officially "San Francisco Bay Area Stadium" during the tournament). The venue will host 6 matches, up to the Round of 32. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, it was the first stadium in the US to achieve LEED Gold certification for environmental sustainability. Important to note: the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium is in Santa Clara, about 45 miles south of downtown San Francisco, so plan your accommodation and transport accordingly.
Did you know? the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium is equipped with a Wi-Fi network capable of supporting 68,000 simultaneous connections, making it one of the most tech-advanced venues in the world. Perfect for live-tweeting goals.
For match odds, seating map and stadium details, see our the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium: WC 2026 Matches & Info.
| Stadium | Levi's Stadium ("San Francisco Bay Area Stadium" during tournament) |
| City | Santa Clara, California |
| WC 2026 matches | 6 (5 group stage, 1 Round of 32) |
| Highest stage | Round of 32 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Airport | SJC (San Jose, 6 miles) or SFO (San Francisco, 35 miles), 6 miles (SJC) |
| Transit card | Clipper Card / VTA |
| Nearest station | Great America Station (VTA Light Rail) |
| Weather (Jun-Jul) | Sunny & Mild (25C) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| Tipping | 18-25% standard |
| Emergency | 911 |
WC 2026 matches in San Francisco
the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium will host 6 matches between June 13 and July 1.
Group stage matches
| Match | Group | Fixture | Date | Local | CEST BE/PL/RS | EEST RO/GR | BRT BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | B | Qatar vs. Switzerland | Sat, June 13 | 12:00 PM | 21:00 | 22:00 | 16:00 |
| #20 | J | Austria vs. Jordan | Tue, June 16 | 9:00 PM | 06:00 | 07:00 | 01:00 |
| #29 | D | Turkiye vs. Paraguay | Fri, June 19 | 9:00 PM | 06:00 | 07:00 | 01:00 |
| #44 | J | Jordan vs. Algeria | Mon, June 22 | 8:00 PM | 05:00 (+1) | 06:00 (+1) | 00:00 (+1) |
| #60 | D | Paraguay vs. Australia | Wed, June 25 | 7:00 PM | 04:00 (+1) | 05:00 (+1) | 23:00 |
Knockout stage matches
| Stage | Fixture | Date | Local | CEST BE/PL/RS | EEST RO/GR | BRT BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | Winner D vs. 3rd (B/E/F/I/J) | Wed, July 1 | 5:00 PM | 02:00 (+1) | 03:00 (+1) | 21:00 |
Note for European fans: Some matches kick off late locally, which means they fall in the early morning hours of the next calendar day in Belgium, Poland, Romania, Greece and Serbia. Check the (+1) markers in the table.
Follow every match live on the live centre or via the Napoleon Sports app.
Match data from the the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium official site.
How to get to San Francisco
Flying to the Bay Area
Two airports serve the region. San Jose International (SJC) is just 6 miles from the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and is the closest option. San Francisco International (SFO) has more international routes but is 35 miles north. From Europe, SFO has direct flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Dublin and Zurich. SJC has fewer international routes but connecting flights from US hubs.
Getting around the Bay Area
Use a Clipper Card for all Bay Area transit systems (VTA, Caltrain, BART, Muni). The VTA Light Rail connects Santa Clara and San Jose. Caltrain runs between San Francisco and San Jose (1 hour). BART covers San Francisco and the East Bay. Rideshare is widely available.
Getting to the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on match day
The VTA Light Rail stops at Great America Station, within walking distance of the stadium.
| Option | From | Duration | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTA Light Rail | San Jose Downtown (Diridon) | 20 min | $2.50 | Great America Station, walk to stadium |
| Caltrain + VTA | San Francisco | 75-90 min | $12-$15 | Caltrain to Mountain View, VTA to stadium |
| Rideshare | SJC Airport | 10-15 min | $12-$20 | Very short ride |
| Rideshare | San Francisco | 45-75 min | $50-$90 | US-101, heavy traffic possible |
Pro tip: If you want the San Francisco city experience, stay in SF and take Caltrain to matches. If convenience is priority, stay in San Jose or Santa Clara for easy VTA access. Do not try to drive from SF to the stadium on match days.
Transport info from Visit Santa Clara visitor guide.
Where to stay in San Francisco during WC 2026
Best areas for football fans
San Jose Downtown is the most convenient base for the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. It has a growing food and bar scene, direct VTA access, and is 20 minutes from the stadium by light rail.
Palo Alto (home of Stanford University) offers a charming downtown with excellent restaurants. Caltrain connects to the wider Bay Area.
San Francisco gives you the iconic city experience (Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, cable cars) but is 45 miles from the stadium. The trade-off is a 75-90 minute commute on match days.
Accommodation tips
The Bay Area is expensive. San Francisco hotels run $200-$400+ per night. San Jose is more affordable at $120-$250. Budget options include hostels in SF ($40-$70) or motels along the Caltrain corridor. If you want both SF sightseeing and easy match access, consider splitting your stay.
Fan zones and atmosphere in San Francisco
Fan Fest locations will be announced closer to the tournament. The San Jose Convention Center area and Santana Row (an upscale outdoor shopping district near the stadium) are likely candidates. In San Francisco, Civic Center Plaza and the Embarcadero waterfront could host viewing events.
For football pubs, Britannia Arms (multiple Bay Area locations) is the go-to for European football. The Dubliner (San Jose) and Maggie McGarry's (San Francisco, North Beach) are popular with football fans.
Insider tip: The Bay Area has incredible craft beer. Visit Russian River Brewing (Santa Rosa, 1 hour north) for Pliny the Elder, consistently rated one of the best beers in America. Closer to the stadium, Gordon Biersch (San Jose) brews on site.
What to see and do in San Francisco beyond football
Alcatraz Island (from San Francisco) is the famous former prison in the bay. Book tickets well in advance as they sell out weeks ahead. The ferry ride itself offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge is a must-see, whether walking across it, cycling it, or viewing it from Baker Beach or the Marin Headlands.
California's Great America theme park is right next to the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Good for a half-day if you have time before an evening match.
Silicon Valley: Drive past the campuses of Apple (visitor centre in Cupertino), Google (Mountain View), and Meta (Menlo Park) for a taste of tech culture. The Computer History Museum in Mountain View is genuinely fascinating.
Craft beer: Anchor Brewing (San Francisco, one of America's original craft breweries), Almanac Beer (Alameda), and Strike Brewing (San Jose).
Day trip: Santa Cruz (45 minutes south) has beaches, a boardwalk amusement park, and excellent surfing.
Nearby host cities: also check WC 2026 in Los Angeles, WC 2026 in Seattle.
Food and drink guide for fans in San Francisco
The Bay Area's food scene reflects its extraordinary diversity.
Mission-style burritos are a San Francisco invention: oversized tortillas stuffed with rice, beans, meat, cheese, salsa and sour cream. The legendary La Taqueria in the Mission District has been named America's best burrito multiple times.
Sourdough bread is San Francisco's signature. Boudin Bakery at Fisherman's Wharf has been baking it since the Gold Rush (1849).
Dungeness crab (in season November-June) is the local seafood highlight. Crab Louis salad or a simple cracked crab with butter.
In San Jose, Vietnamese food is outstanding. The city has a large Vietnamese community, and pho restaurants along Story Road are excellent.
Sports bars: Britannia Arms (multiple locations, football-focused), The Dubliner (San Jose), and SoFA Market (San Jose, food hall with screens).
Tipping: 18-25% is common in the Bay Area (higher than the national average). San Francisco restaurants sometimes add a mandatory service charge; check your bill.
Practical information for visiting San Francisco
| Time zone | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD). Cards accepted everywhere. |
| Weather | Sunny & Mild (25C) |
| Emergency | 911 |
| Tipping | 18-25% standard |
| Voltage | 120V, Type A/B |
| Transit card | Clipper Card / VTA |
Safety tips
The Bay Area is generally safe for tourists. In San Francisco, avoid the Tenderloin neighbourhood (particularly at night) and be cautious around Market Street after dark. Car break-ins are a significant issue in SF; never leave anything visible in your vehicle. San Jose and Santa Clara are safe and quieter. The weather is the most pleasant of any US the tournament host city: mild, sunny, and rarely above 25C.
Mobile and connectivity
eSIMs from Airalo or Holafly work well. Free Wi-Fi at airports, coffee shops and hotels. Download the Napoleon Sports app before you travel for live scores and match updates.
City info from City of Santa Clara official site.
Bet on WC 2026 matches in San Francisco
6 matches at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Follow every match with live odds via the live centre. Use BetBuilder to combine selections within a single match. New to Napoleon Sports? Create your account for full access to WC 2026 markets. With 1UP early payout, your bet is settled as a winner if your team goes 2 goals ahead at any point.
Public transport: VTA Light Rail (naar Great America Station). Vanuit San Francisco neem je best de Caltrain en stap je over in Mountain View.
Nearest airport: Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International (SJC), about 8 km from the stadium.
Fan zone: Embarcadero / Marina Green (San Francisco).
FAQ: WC 2026 in San Francisco
How many WC 2026 matches will be played in San Francisco?
6 matches, up to the Round of 32.
What is the closest airport to the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium?
SJC (San Jose, 6 miles) or SFO (San Francisco, 35 miles), approximately 6 miles (SJC).
Is public transport available to the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on match days?
Nearest station: Great America Station (VTA Light Rail). Use Clipper Card / VTA.
What is the weather like in San Francisco in June and July?
Sunny & Mild (25C). Plan accordingly.
Do I need a visa to travel to San Francisco for WC 2026?
Most Europeans can enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA). See our Visa & Travel Guide for full details.
Can I watch the tournament matches live on my phone?
Yes. Download the Napoleon Sports app for live scores via the live centre.
Stadium facts: the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium stadium tech (Wikipedia).
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