How the tournament was structured
The 2026 World Cup was the biggest sporting event in history, spanning 16 cities across three nations. 104 matches ran from June 11 to July 19, ending with Spain's 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina in the final. See the full match schedule and final results.
How tickets worked
Resale platforms like StubHub and Viagogo carried secondary market tickets throughout. Group stage matches typically ran $150–$800, with knockout rounds reaching $500–$5000.
Where fans stayed
Hotels near host stadiums sold out early in the highest-demand cities. Browse our venues and hotel guide for reference on all 16 stadiums.
Getting around
Limited public transport between host cities meant most fans relied on flights, rental cars, and organized transfers — see our full travel guide for what worked.