The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 in Mexico City and runs through the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. For kosher travelers, this tournament is a genuine opportunity: 16 host venues across three countries, dozens of matches featuring some of the biggest names in world soccer, and unprecedented scale. But the financial picture at these games is brutal, and if you’re planning to attend, you need to know what’s coming before you arrive.
The short version: FIFA will collect an estimated $13 billion from this tournament. The cities and stadiums hosting the games will collect almost none of it. That disconnect is driving some of the most aggressive parking, transportation, and ticketing costs ever seen at a major sporting event, and kosher fans face an additional challenge on top of all of that. Certified kosher food exists at a handful of these 16 venues under normal operations, but the World Cup upends normal operations entirely.
The Money Problem You Need to Understand
Before diving into individual stadiums, it’s worth understanding why attending these games is going to cost more than you expect. According to a detailed investigation by The Atlantic, FIFA’s contracts with host cities leave local governments responsible for all costs: stadium retrofits, security, transportation infrastructure, public fan zones, and administration, while FIFA retains revenue from tickets, parking, merchandise, concessions, sponsorships, and broadcast rights.
The result is parking at $100 to $175 per game, depending on the stadium, with all parking revenue flowing to FIFA. Train fares that have been hiked dramatically to cover transit costs FIFA refuses to subsidize. New Jersey’s NJ Transit, for example, is charging $105 for the round-trip from Penn Station to MetLife Stadium, compared to the normal $13 fare. NJ Transit says the World Cup will cost the agency at least $48 million to accommodate. Boston’s MBTA has spent tens of millions upgrading the train station near Gillette Stadium and will charge $80 per ticket for each of the estimated 20,000 fans taking the train per game.
At MetLife Stadium, there will be no general parking at all. FIFA has repurposed those lots for VIP tents, sponsor activations, jersey sales, and photo opportunities. Fans without suites or premium packages are expected to rely entirely on transit, rideshare, or the limited premium parking that does exist and costs accordingly.
Plan your budget with this reality in mind before you look at ticket prices.
Kosher Food at the 16 World Cup Venues
The table below covers every host stadium, its country, the key matches it is hosting (including knockout rounds), and the current status of certified kosher food based on the venue’s regular operations.
NOTE: FIFA controls all food & beverage at all participating arenas and may remove all existing kosher options for its games. The kosher status below reflects each venue’s normal operations outside of the World Cup. Nothing is confirmed for World Cup match days until FIFA and local host committees publish specific concession plans. Verify before you travel.
StadiumCityCountryKey MatchesKosher Food (Regular Operations)Parking / Transit NotesMetLife StadiumEast Rutherford, NJUSAFinal (July 19), Semifinal, Quarterfinal, Group StageYES – 7 stands under VHQ (Vaad HaRabonim of Queens). Strongest kosher infrastructure of any World Cup venue. Pro tip: eat at American Dream Mall first – park there, have a full kosher meal, and walk the pedestrian bridge over to MetLife.No general parking. NJ Transit round-trip from Penn Station: $105 (down from $150 after backlash).Lincoln Financial FieldPhiladelphia, PAUSAGroup Stage, Round of 32YES – The Kosher Grill, run by Lubavitch of Bucks County, Section 114. Hot dogs, sausages.SEPTA Broad Street Line to NRG Station. Parking available in South Philly sports complex lots.Hard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FLUSAThird-Place Match (July 18), Quarterfinal, Group StageYES – Kosher Korner under supervision of the ORB. Confirm current location before attending.Premium event parking pricing expected. No direct rail to stadium; rideshare or drive.SoFi StadiumInglewood, CAUSASemifinal, Quarterfinal, Group Stage (USA home games)NoMetro K Line (Crenshaw) to Inglewood/Downtown Inglewood station. Limited FIFA-controlled parking on site.AT&T StadiumArlington, TXUSASemifinal (July 14), Quarterfinal, Group Stage (most matches of any venue)NoParking from $125; nearly a mile walk to stadium entrance. No direct rail. Host committee funding shuttles from additional lots.Mercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, GAUSASemifinal (July 15), Group StageNoParking $100 for World Cup matches. MARTA rail accessible (Vine City or State Farm Arena stations).Gillette StadiumFoxborough, MAUSAQuarterfinal (July 9), Group StageNo75% of parking repurposed by FIFA. MBTA train: $80/ticket per game. MBTA reduced service on other lines to run World Cup trains.Levi’s StadiumSanta Clara, CAUSAGroup Stage, Round of 32, Round of 16NoVTA light rail accessible. Stadium closed to other events (including concerts) until June 13 per FIFA mandate.NRG StadiumHouston, TXUSAGroup Stage, Round of 32, Round of 16NoMETRORail Red Line to NRG Park stop. Ample parking nearby but FIFA-controlled pricing expected.GEHA Field at Arrowhead StadiumKansas City, MOUSAQuarterfinal, Group StageNoParking $125 per car. No direct rail. Host committee hired hundreds of buses. Allow 90+ minutes from downtown KC.Lumen FieldSeattle, WAUSAGroup Stage, Round of 32, Round of 16NoLink Light Rail to SODO or Stadium stations. Limited parking; transit strongly recommended.BMO FieldToronto, ONCanadaGroup Stage, Round of 32NoTTC streetcar (509/511) from Union Station. City projecting $380 million CAD in hosting costs. Limited on-site parking.BC PlaceVancouver, BCCanadaGroup Stage, Round of 32, QuarterfinalNoSkyTrain (Canada Line) to Stadium-Chinatown station. City projecting $624 million CAD in hosting costs.Estadio AztecaMexico CityMexicoOpening Match (June 11), Semifinal, Quarterfinal, Group StageNoMetro Line 2 to Tasqueña, then Tren Ligero to Estadio Azteca. Significant traffic on match days.Estadio AkronGuadalajaraMexicoGroup Stage only (no knockout matches)NoLocated in Zapopan suburb. Car or rideshare recommended. Limited public transit options to the venue.Estadio BBVAMonterreyMexicoGroup Stage, Round of 32, Round of 16, SemifinalNoLocated in Guadalupe municipality. Metro Line 2 nearby. Parking available but FIFA-controlled pricing expected.
The Venues Where Kosher Fans Have the Best Experience
MetLife Stadium is in a class by itself. Seven certified kosher stands under the Vaad HaRabonim of Queens make it the most kosher-accessible major sports venue in North America. If you’re going to spend the money to attend a World Cup match, MetLife is where you will eat without compromise. It also hosts the most matches of any single venue, including the final, a semifinal, a quarterfinal, and multiple group stage games. The catch: no general parking, and an expensive NJ Transit ride to get there. Budget accordingly.
Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia has a reliable kosher stand run by Lubavitch of Bucks County. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami has the Kosher Korner under ORB supervision. These are the two confirmed options outside of New Jersey. Everything else is a question mark, including SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, which lists glatt kosher in its general food guide but has no named stand, no hashgacha, and no section confirmed. FIFA’s control of concessions on World Cup match days makes it unreliable to count on.
What to Do at Venues Without Kosher Food
For the stadiums where there is no kosher stand, you have a few options. Most venues allow sealed, unopened packaged food through security. Kosher protein bars, nuts, and packaged snacks from home can get you through a two-hour match. Call the stadium’s guest services line ahead of your visit to confirm their outside food policy and whether any special kosher arrangements are possible for the World Cup.
For matches in Dallas, Atlanta, Kansas City, Boston, Seattle, and the Canadian venues, plan your pre-game meal strategically. The metro areas hosting these games have varying levels of kosher restaurant infrastructure. Dallas and Atlanta both have established kosher scenes with multiple restaurants. Seattle, Kansas City, and Boston have more limited options but some dedicated kosher spots. Toronto, despite no stadium kosher stand, has one of the strongest kosher restaurant scenes outside of New York.
For the Mexican venues, Polanco in Mexico City is the place to go for pre-match kosher dining. Guadalajara and Monterrey have minimal kosher options, and if you are attending matches at Estadio Akron or Estadio BBVA, plan to bring packaged food or eat before you arrive.
Transport and Parking: What the Numbers Actually Look Like
FIFA has repurposed significant portions of parking at most American venues for its sponsor and VIP infrastructure. What parking remains is controlled by FIFA, and prices reflect it. Here is what has been publicly announced or projected:
MetLife Stadium (New Jersey): No general parking. NJ Transit fare from Penn Station to the stadium is $105 round trip (reduced from the originally announced $150 after public backlash and unnamed corporate donors covered part of the cost).
AT&T Stadium (Dallas): Parking from $125, with nearly a mile walk to the stadium entrance. No direct rail service; the local host committee is funding shuttles from parking areas.
Gillette Stadium (Boston): 75% of parking repurposed by FIFA. MBTA charging $80/ticket per game. MBTA reduced service on other rail lines to accommodate World Cup trains.
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami): Stadium has precedent for premium event parking pricing; expect $100 or more.
GEHA Field at Arrowhead (Kansas City): Parking at $125 per car. The host committee has hired hundreds of buses to compensate for reduced lot access.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta): Parking in the surrounding area was running $100 for group stage matches.
Plan for rideshare or transit wherever possible. Budget at least $80 to $200 in ground transportation costs per game beyond your ticket price, depending on the city.
The Bottom Line for Kosher Travelers
The World Cup is a once-in-a-generation event. If you can make a game work logistically and financially, certain matches, particularly the knockout rounds in New York, Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles, are genuinely worth attending for the experience. The kosher food situation at MetLife alone makes the New York-area games the most practical choice for fully observant fans who want to eat at the stadium.
For matches at venues without kosher food, approach it the way you would a day trip to a city with limited kosher options: eat before, bring sealed snacks, and plan your post-game meal in advance. The matches will not wait, but good planning means you are not stuck hungry in a parking lot for $125 that you still have to walk a mile from.
We will update this guide as World Cup-specific concession information becomes available from FIFA and the local host committees. If you have confirmed kosher food information from any of these venues for World Cup match days, email info@yeahthatskosher.com or DM us on Instagram.
Complete 2026 World Cup Match Schedule
All 104 matches, with dates, matchups, stadiums, and cities. Times are Eastern. Knockout round matchups from the Round of 16 onward are determined by group stage and prior round results.
Group Stage
DateTeamsStadiumCityThu, Jun. 11Mexico vs. South AfricaEstadio AztecaMexico City, MexicoThu, Jun. 11South Korea vs. CzechiaEstadio AkronGuadalajara, MexicoFri, Jun. 12Canada vs. Bosnia & HerzegovinaBMO FieldToronto, CanadaFri, Jun. 12USA vs. ParaguaySoFi StadiumInglewood, CASat, Jun. 13Qatar vs. SwitzerlandLevi’s StadiumSanta Clara, CASat, Jun. 13Brazil vs. MoroccoMetLife StadiumEast Rutherford, NJSat, Jun. 13Haiti vs. ScotlandGillette StadiumFoxborough, MASun, Jun. 14Australia vs. TürkiyeBC PlaceVancouver, CanadaSun, Jun. 14Germany vs. CuraçaoNRG StadiumHouston, TXSun, Jun. 14Netherlands vs. JapanAT&T StadiumArlington, TXSun, Jun. 14Ivory Coast vs. EcuadorLincoln Financial FieldPhiladelphia, PASun, Jun. 14Sweden vs. TunisiaEstadio BBVAMonterrey, MexicoMon, Jun. 15Spain vs. Cape VerdeMercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, GAMon, Jun. 15Belgium vs. EgyptLumen FieldSeattle, WAMon, Jun. 15Saudi Arabia vs. UruguayHard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FLMon, Jun. 15Iran vs. New ZealandSoFi StadiumInglewood, CATue, Jun. 16France vs. SenegalMetLife StadiumEast Rutherford, NJTue, Jun. 16Iraq vs. NorwayGillette StadiumFoxborough, MATue, Jun. 16Argentina vs. AlgeriaGEHA Field at ArrowheadKansas City, MOWed, Jun. 17Austria vs. JordanLevi’s StadiumSanta Clara, CAWed, Jun. 17Portugal vs. DR CongoNRG StadiumHouston, TXWed, Jun. 17England vs. CroatiaAT&T StadiumArlington, TXWed, Jun. 17Ghana vs. PanamaBMO FieldToronto, CanadaWed, Jun. 17Uzbekistan vs. ColombiaEstadio AztecaMexico City, MexicoThu, Jun. 18Czechia vs. South AfricaMercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, GAThu, Jun. 18Switzerland vs. Bosnia & HerzegovinaSoFi StadiumInglewood, CAThu, Jun. 18Canada vs. QatarBC PlaceVancouver, CanadaThu, Jun. 18Mexico vs. South KoreaEstadio AkronGuadalajara, MexicoFri, Jun. 19USA vs. AustraliaLumen FieldSeattle, WAFri, Jun. 19Scotland vs. MoroccoGillette StadiumFoxborough, MAFri, Jun. 19Brazil vs. HaitiLincoln Financial FieldPhiladelphia, PAFri, Jun. 19Türkiye vs. ParaguayLevi’s StadiumSanta Clara, CASat, Jun. 20Netherlands vs. SwedenNRG StadiumHouston, TXSat, Jun. 20Germany vs. Ivory CoastBMO FieldToronto, CanadaSat, Jun. 20Ecuador vs. CuraçaoGEHA Field at ArrowheadKansas City, MOSun, Jun. 21Tunisia vs. JapanEstadio BBVAMonterrey, MexicoSun, Jun. 21Spain vs. Saudi ArabiaMercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, GASun, Jun. 21Belgium vs. IranSoFi StadiumInglewood, CASun, Jun. 21Uruguay vs. Cape VerdeHard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FLSun, Jun. 21New Zealand vs. EgyptBC PlaceVancouver, CanadaMon, Jun. 22Argentina vs. AustriaAT&T StadiumArlington, TXMon, Jun. 22France vs. IraqLincoln Financial FieldPhiladelphia, PAMon, Jun. 22Norway vs. SenegalMetLife StadiumEast Rutherford, NJMon, Jun. 22Jordan vs. AlgeriaLevi’s StadiumSanta Clara, CATue, Jun. 23Portugal vs. UzbekistanNRG StadiumHouston, TXTue, Jun. 23England vs. GhanaGillette StadiumFoxborough, MATue, Jun. 23Panama vs. CroatiaBMO FieldToronto, CanadaTue, Jun. 23Colombia vs. DR CongoEstadio AkronGuadalajara, MexicoWed, Jun. 24Switzerland vs. CanadaBC PlaceVancouver, CanadaWed, Jun. 24Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. QatarLumen FieldSeattle, WAWed, Jun. 24Scotland vs. BrazilHard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FLWed, Jun. 24Morocco vs. HaitiMercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, GAWed, Jun. 24Czechia vs. MexicoEstadio AztecaMexico City, MexicoWed, Jun. 24South Africa vs. South KoreaEstadio BBVAMonterrey, MexicoThu, Jun. 25Curaçao vs. Ivory CoastLincoln Financial FieldPhiladelphia, PAThu, Jun. 25Ecuador vs. GermanyMetLife StadiumEast Rutherford, NJThu, Jun. 25Japan vs. SwedenAT&T StadiumArlington, TXThu, Jun. 25Tunisia vs. NetherlandsGEHA Field at ArrowheadKansas City, MOThu, Jun. 25Türkiye vs. USASoFi StadiumInglewood, CAThu, Jun. 25Paraguay vs. AustraliaLevi’s StadiumSanta Clara, CAFri, Jun. 26Norway vs. FranceGillette StadiumFoxborough, MAFri, Jun. 26Senegal vs. IraqBMO FieldToronto, CanadaFri, Jun. 26Cape Verde vs. Saudi ArabiaNRG StadiumHouston, TXFri, Jun. 26Uruguay vs. SpainEstadio AkronGuadalajara, MexicoFri, Jun. 26Egypt vs. IranLumen FieldSeattle, WAFri, Jun. 26New Zealand vs. BelgiumBC PlaceVancouver, CanadaSat, Jun. 27Panama vs. EnglandMetLife StadiumEast Rutherford, NJSat, Jun. 27Croatia vs. GhanaLincoln Financial FieldPhiladelphia, PASat, Jun. 27Colombia vs. PortugalHard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FLSat, Jun. 27DR Congo vs. UzbekistanMercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, GASat, Jun. 27Algeria vs. AustriaGEHA Field at ArrowheadKansas City, MOSat, Jun. 27Jordan vs. ArgentinaAT&T StadiumArlington, TX
Round of 32 (June 28 – July 3)
DateMatchStadiumCitySun, Jun. 28Runner-up Group A vs. Runner-up Group BSoFi StadiumInglewood, CAMon, Jun. 29Winner Group C vs. Runner-up Group FNRG StadiumHouston, TXMon, Jun. 29Winner Group E vs. Best 3rd (A/B/C/D/F)Gillette StadiumFoxborough, MAMon, Jun. 29Winner Group F vs. Runner-up Group CEstadio BBVAMonterrey, MexicoTue, Jun. 30Runner-up Group E vs. Runner-up Group IAT&T StadiumArlington, TXTue, Jun. 30Winner Group I vs. Best 3rd (C/D/F/G/H)MetLife StadiumEast Rutherford, NJTue, Jun. 30Winner Group A vs. Best 3rd (C/E/F/H/I)Estadio AztecaMexico City, MexicoWed, Jul. 1Winner Group L vs. Best 3rd (E/H/I/J/K)Mercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, GAWed, Jul. 1Winner Group G vs. Best 3rd (A/E/H/I/J)Lumen FieldSeattle, WAWed, Jul. 1Winner Group D vs. Best 3rd (B/E/F/I/J)Levi’s StadiumSanta Clara, CAThu, Jul. 2Winner Group H vs. Runner-up Group JSoFi StadiumInglewood, CAThu, Jul. 2Runner-up Group K vs. Runner-up Group LBMO FieldToronto, CanadaThu, Jul. 2Winner Group B vs. Best 3rd (E/F/G/I/J)BC PlaceVancouver, CanadaFri, Jul. 3Runner-up Group D vs. Runner-up Group GAT&T StadiumArlington, TXFri, Jul. 3Winner Group J vs. Runner-up Group HHard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FLFri, Jul. 3Winner Group K vs. Best 3rd (D/E/I/J/L)GEHA Field at ArrowheadKansas City, MO
Round of 16 (July 4 – July 7)
DateMatchStadiumCitySat, Jul. 4Winner Match 73 vs. Winner Match 75NRG StadiumHouston, TXSat, Jul. 4Winner Match 74 vs. Winner Match 77Lincoln Financial FieldPhiladelphia, PASun, Jul. 5Winner Match 76 vs. Winner Match 78MetLife StadiumEast Rutherford, NJSun, Jul. 5Winner Match 79 vs. Winner Match 80Estadio AztecaMexico City, MexicoMon, Jul. 6Winner Match 83 vs. Winner Match 84AT&T StadiumArlington, TXMon, Jul. 6Winner Match 81 vs. Winner Match 82Lumen FieldSeattle, WATue, Jul. 7Winner Match 86 vs. Winner Match 88Mercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, GATue, Jul. 7Winner Match 85 vs. Winner Match 87BC PlaceVancouver, Canada
Quarterfinals (July 9 – July 11)
DateMatchStadiumCityThu, Jul. 9Winner Match 89 vs. Winner Match 90Gillette StadiumFoxborough, MAFri, Jul. 10Winner Match 93 vs. Winner Match 94SoFi StadiumInglewood, CASat, Jul. 11Winner Match 91 vs. Winner Match 92Hard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FLSat, Jul. 11Winner Match 95 vs. Winner Match 96GEHA Field at ArrowheadKansas City, MO
Semifinals (July 14 – July 15)
DateMatchStadiumCityTue, Jul. 14Winner Match 97 vs. Winner Match 98AT&T StadiumArlington, TXWed, Jul. 15Winner Match 99 vs. Winner Match 100Mercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, GA
Third-Place Match & Final
DateMatchStadiumCitySat, Jul. 18Third-Place Match: Loser SF1 vs. Loser SF2Hard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FLSun, Jul. 19FINAL: Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2MetLife StadiumEast Rutherford, NJ