The 2026 World Cup runs June 11 to July 19 - peak North American summer. Conditions vary wildly across the 16 host cities, from the cool damp of Vancouver and Seattle to the brutal heat of Houston, Dallas, and Monterrey. Here's what to expect and how to pack for each.
Hot and humid - bring sun protection and electrolytes
These cities will be 85-100°F (29-38°C) in late June and July with high humidity. Drink water aggressively, wear sun protection, and minimize outdoor activity midday.
- •Houston (NRG Stadium) - 90-95°F (32-35°C), 80%+ humidity. Stadium has roof + AC, around 72°F inside.
- •Dallas (AT&T Stadium) - 95-100°F (35-38°C), high humidity. Stadium has roof + AC.
- •Miami (Hard Rock) - 85-92°F (29-33°C), daily afternoon thunderstorms.
- •Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz) - 80-90°F (27-32°C), humid. Stadium has retractable roof.
- •Kansas City (Arrowhead) - 80-90°F (27-32°C), humid. Open-air stadium.
Hot and dry - higher heat tolerance, lower humidity
- •Monterrey (Estadio BBVA) - 90-100°F (32-38°C), low humidity. Open-air; intense sun. Hydrate constantly.
- •Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium) - 70-85°F (21-29°C) days, cool 55°F (13°C) evenings. Marine layer fog mornings near coast.
Mild and pleasant - the sweet spot
- •Boston (Gillette) - 65-80°F (18-27°C), some humidity. Foxborough is slightly cooler than Boston city.
- •New York / New Jersey (MetLife) - 70-85°F (21-29°C), humid. Occasional thunderstorms.
- •Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial) - 70-85°F (21-29°C), humid. Thunderstorms common.
- •San Francisco Bay (Levi's) - 60-75°F (15-24°C) cool. SF infamously cold and foggy in summer; San Jose much warmer.
- •Toronto (BMO Field) - 65-78°F (18-26°C), some humidity. Lakefront breeze.
- •Mexico City (Estadio Azteca) - 70-78°F (21-26°C). Daily afternoon thunderstorms (rainy season). High altitude (7,200 ft / 2,200 m) - hydrate, allow 2-3 days to acclimatize.
- •Guadalajara (Estadio Akron) - 65-85°F (18-29°C). Rainy season starts in June. 5,100 ft elevation.
Cool and damp - pack a jacket
- •Seattle (Lumen Field) - 60-75°F (15-24°C). Often cloudy but rarely heavy rain in summer (June/July are Seattle's driest months).
- •Vancouver (BC Place) - 55-72°F (13-22°C). Cool and damp; rain possible. BC Place has a retractable roof.
Universal packing list
- •Light, breathable clothing - cotton or moisture-wicking synthetic.
- •A light jacket or layer for over-air-conditioned restaurants and cool evenings.
- •Comfortable walking shoes - you'll do 15-25k steps/day on match days.
- •Sunscreen SPF 50+, sunglasses, and a hat.
- •Compact umbrella or rain shell - thunderstorms common in many cities.
- •Refillable water bottle (stadiums often allow empty bottles, fill at fountains).
- •Stadium clear bag (max 12"×6"×12") to avoid security delays.
- •Portable phone charger - mobile-only tickets demand a working phone.
Altitude and air quality notes
Mexico City (7,200 ft / 2,200 m) and Guadalajara (5,100 ft / 1,550 m) are at altitude. Visiting players notice it; spectators feel it as faster fatigue and shortness of breath for the first 2-3 days. Hydrate aggressively, avoid heavy alcohol on arrival, and don't push hard activity day one. Mexico City also has poor air-quality days - check IQAir or AccuWeather before going outside if you have respiratory sensitivities.