San Francisco Bay Area World Cup 2026 Host City Guide | Xenia Events
World Cup 2026 Host City

San Francisco Bay Area & Levi's Stadium

A top U.S. destination with a clean stadium setup — Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara) hosts key group matches and a Round of 32.

🇺🇸 United States Matches June–July 2026 Host Stadium: Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)

Snapshot

San Francisco Bay Area at a Glance

Host Stadium
Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Match Types
Group Stage • Round of 32
Airports
SFO • San Jose (SJC) • Oakland (OAK)
Distance to Stadium
~10–25 min from San Jose • ~35–75 min from San Francisco (traffic dependent)
Best Areas to Stay
San Francisco, Palo Alto / Menlo Park, San Jose, Santa Clara
Ideal Stay Length
3–6 nights per match cluster
Stadium Guide

Levi's Stadium Matchday Experience

Levi's Stadium is located in Santa Clara in the South Bay, close to San Jose and major tech corridors. Matchday success is about routing and timing — especially if you're staying in San Francisco. For groups, a planned transfer (SUV/Sprinter) keeps the day smooth.

What to Expect
  • High-demand matches and strong event-day security operations.
  • Traffic is the main variable — departure timing matters.
  • Premium seating availability depends on match stage and teams.
  • Evenings can cool down (especially if you’re in SF after the match) — light layers help.
Matchday Tips
  • Plan to arrive 90–120 minutes before kickoff.
  • If staying in San Francisco, consider leaving 2–3 hours before kickoff for buffer.
  • Pack light and follow match-day bag policies.
  • Have a defined post-match pickup plan to avoid rideshare bottlenecks.
Where to Stay

Best Areas for World Cup Visitors

San Francisco (Union Square / SoMa)
Most Iconic

The full SF experience: great hotels, dining, nightlife, and sightseeing. Match-day trips to Santa Clara take planning, but it’s a top choice for visitors.

San Francisco (Embarcadero / Waterfront)
Scenic + Walkable

Great views and walkability with easy access to ferries, downtown corridors, and major attractions. A premium-feel base for extended stays.

Palo Alto / Menlo Park
Premium South Bay Base

Excellent positioning for Levi’s Stadium routing with upscale hotels and dining. Great for guests prioritizing match logistics and comfort.

San Jose / Santana Row
Value + Convenience

A practical, comfortable base with faster stadium access. Ideal for groups who want simpler match-day routing and solid hotel options.

Santa Clara / Stadium Corridor
Closest to Stadium

Best for “logistics first” stays and earliest arrivals. Less sightseeing vibe, but the simplest match-day movement.

Hotels

Where We Typically Place Guests

We match hotels to your match schedule, preferred neighborhoods, and budget. Below are examples of the kinds of properties we typically use. Final selection depends on dates, demand, and match assignment.

Luxury & 5-Star

  • Top San Francisco luxury corridors
  • Waterfront and boutique premium options
  • Palo Alto / Menlo Park upscale placements
  • Suite-style inventory for groups (when available)

4-Star Favorites

  • Union Square / SoMa full-service brands
  • San Jose modern business-class hotels
  • Reliable group-friendly inventory
  • Curated stays by match cluster and routing

Upper-Midrange Options

  • Select-service options near transit corridors
  • Value-forward South Bay placements
  • Clean bases for short stays and multi-city trips
  • Confirmed options provided before you commit

Your package will specify confirmed hotel options and neighborhoods before you commit.

Transportation

Getting Around the Bay Area & to Levi's Stadium

The Bay Area has multiple hotel corridors and multiple airports — your best move is choosing a base that matches your priorities (SF experience vs. stadium convenience). For match day, private transfers are the cleanest for groups. Public options can work, but timing and transfers matter.

Airports
  • SFO — best for San Francisco stays and international routing.
  • SJC — best for South Bay (San Jose / Santa Clara / Palo Alto).
  • OAK — useful alternative depending on routing and pricing.
Getting to Levi's
  • Private SUV or Sprinter (best for groups and timing control).
  • Rideshare can bottleneck post-match — pickup strategy matters.
  • Transit options may be viable depending on your base and match-day operations.
  • Leave extra buffer time — Bay Area traffic patterns swing by time of day.
Match Calendar

Levi's Stadium World Cup 2026 Match Schedule

Matches hosted at Levi's Stadium. Team placeholders (e.g., “1D”) reflect bracket positions and will resolve after group results. Kickoff times may be adjusted by organizers.

Match 8Group - B
Qatar vs Switzerland
Saturday, June 13, 2026 · Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Match 20Group - J
Austria vs Jordan
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 · Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Match 31Group - D
UEFA Winner C vs Paraguay
Friday, June 19, 2026 · Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Match 44Group - J
Jordan vs Algeria
Monday, June 22, 2026 · Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Match 60Group - D
Paraguay vs Australia
Thursday, June 25, 2026 · Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Match 81RO32
1D vs 3B/E/F/I/J
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 · Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)

Want a simple plan? We can build packages around any match above — hotels, transport, and ticket options tailored to your group.

Between Matches

Things to Do in the Bay Area

Top Sights
  • Golden Gate Bridge + scenic overlooks (classic SF).
  • Fisherman's Wharf + waterfront strolls.
  • Alcatraz (book early in peak weeks).
  • Chinatown / North Beach neighborhoods.
  • Day trips: Napa/Sonoma or coastal drives (time permitting).
Food & Nightlife
  • World-class dining across SF neighborhoods.
  • SoMa and waterfront cocktail lounges.
  • South Bay dining and nightlife in San Jose / Santana Row.
  • Pre-match dinners curated around your hotel location.
For Families & Extra Days
  • California Academy of Sciences.
  • Exploratorium (hands-on science museum).
  • Ferry rides and waterfront areas.

If you’d like, we can fold sightseeing, dining reservations, and day trips into your World Cup itinerary so everything is confirmed before you land.

Traveler Tips

Safety & Practical Advice

General Safety

  • Stay aware in crowded tourist areas and keep valuables secure.
  • Use rideshare at night if moving between neighborhoods.
  • Don’t leave visible items in parked cars — plan accordingly.

Matchday

  • Arrive early: traffic and entry lines are real during tournament weeks.
  • Confirm official entry rules and bag policy before heading out.
  • Plan a defined post-match meetup point if traveling as a group.

Movement

  • If you’re staying in SF, plan your match day like a day trip (buffer time matters).
  • Use official queues and avoid unmarked vehicles.
  • Your Xenia advisor can advise on routing once you book.
Packages

San Francisco Bay Area World Cup Packages with Xenia

We design fully managed Bay Area itineraries that connect match tickets, premium hotel placement, and coordinated transportation into one streamlined trip. Every package is customized around your dates, match priorities, and service level.

  • San Francisco-based stays (iconic experience) with match-day transfers to Levi's.
  • South Bay bases (San Jose / Palo Alto) for faster stadium logistics.
  • Group-stage packages built around 1–2 Levi's Stadium matches.
  • Round of 32 packages by request (subject to ticket availability).
  • Private SUVs or Sprinters for your group with match-day coordination.
FAQ

San Francisco Bay Area World Cup FAQ

Is Levi's Stadium in San Francisco?
The host region is the San Francisco Bay Area, but Levi's Stadium is in Santa Clara (South Bay). Plan match-day routing accordingly.
Which airport is best?
SFO is best for San Francisco stays. SJC is usually best for South Bay and fastest to the stadium. OAK can be a strong alternate depending on routing.
How early should we leave for matches?
From San Francisco, leaving 2–3 hours before kickoff is a safe buffer. From San Jose/Santa Clara corridors, 90–120 minutes is usually sufficient.
Are match tickets included in Xenia packages?
Yes. Our packages are built around verified match access and seating categories, with hotels and transportation layered on top.

Ready to Plan the Bay Area for World Cup 2026?

We’ll send tailored options with tickets, hotel placement, and match-day transportation — built around your preferred Levi's Stadium match dates.

Office: +1 (512) 900-4347  |  Call / Text: +1 (737) 393-1800

Email: info@xeniaevents.com  |  Web: xeniaevents.com

Independence Statement: Xenia Events LLC is an independent travel and hospitality provider and is not affiliated with FIFA, Levi's Stadium, or any official World Cup organizing body. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.