Key Points

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup spans 16 cities across the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
• Hotel points and airline miles can save you thousands on World Cup travel, especially in high-demand host cities.
• Book hotels and flights at least 12-18 months in advance to maximize award availability and lock in better redemption rates.

Introduction

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America, and it's going to be massive. For the first time ever, three countries will co-host the tournament, with matches spread across 16 cities from Vancouver to Mexico City. If you've been stacking points and miles, this is your moment.

Here's the reality: World Cup travel gets expensive fast. Hotels in host cities routinely triple their rates during major tournaments, and flights from international markets spike just as dramatically. But with the right points strategy, you can attend multiple matches without draining your bank account. I'll show you exactly how to plan, book, and maximize your rewards for what could be the trip of a lifetime.

Understanding the 2026 World Cup Format

The 2026 tournament is expanding to 48 teams (up from 32), which means 104 matches over 39 days. This creates both opportunities and challenges for travelers using points.

Host Cities and Venues

United States (11 cities):

• East Coast: New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Miami
• Central: Kansas City, Dallas, Houston
• West Coast: Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle

Canada (2 cities):

• Vancouver
• Toronto

Mexico (3 cities):

• Mexico City
• Guadalajara
• Monterrey

The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on July 19, 2026, with semifinals split between Dallas and Atlanta.

When to Start Planning

Start now. Seriously. Even though we're nearly two years out, here's why early planning matters for points travelers.

FIFA typically releases match schedules 12-18 months before the tournament. Hotels in host cities begin jacking up rates or implementing minimum night stays as soon as schedules are announced. Award availability disappears quickly once dates are confirmed.

Your timeline should look like this:

Now through March 2025: Build your points balances, apply for best travel credit cards if you need more earning power, and start researching hotel programs in host cities.

April-June 2025: When FIFA releases the group stage schedule, immediately search for award availability and book hotels using points. Don't wait to see match results.

July 2025-February 2026: Monitor for knockout stage venue assignments as the tournament approaches. Book additional nights if your team advances.

March-May 2026: Finalize logistics, book activities through Get Your Guide, and arrange ground transportation.

Building Your Points Strategy

The key to affordable World Cup travel is strategic point accumulation across multiple programs. You'll need flexibility since different cities have different hotel options.

Credit Card Selection

Your card strategy should focus on transferable points currencies and hotel-specific cards for the cities you're targeting.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred should be your foundation. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and United, giving you options in every host city. If you're planning multiple trips or have high spending, the Reserve's 3x points on travel and dining adds up fast.

For specific hotel chains, consider:

• World of Hyatt Credit Card if staying in major cities with Hyatt properties
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless for broader hotel coverage across host cities
• IHG One Rewards Premier for mid-tier options in secondary markets

The Capital One Venture X offers 2x points on everything and transfers to multiple airlines, making it valuable for international visitors flying to North America.

Hotel Points Programs to Prioritize

Different host cities have different hotel footprints. Here's where to focus your earning:

Marriott Bonvoy has the broadest coverage with properties in all 16 host cities. The Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide explains how to maximize this program, but the key advantage is flexibility. You'll find everything from Fairfield Inns (35,000-50,000 points) to luxury properties.

World of Hyatt offers the best value for luxury stays. Properties like Park Hyatt New York, Hyatt Regency Vancouver, and Grand Hyatt Mexico City will be prime locations. Check the World of Hyatt Complete Guide for transfer partner options and redemption strategies.

IHG One Rewards is your friend in cities like Kansas City and secondary markets where luxury hotels are limited. Holiday Inn Express properties often cost just 20,000-30,000 points per night. The IHG One Rewards Complete Guide covers how to stretch these points furthest.

Hilton Honors has solid coverage in most US cities, though fewer options in Canada and Mexico. The fifth night free benefit on award stays makes this program valuable if you're staying put in one city.

City-by-City Points Strategy

Let me break down the best approaches for different host cities based on typical award availability and hotel options.

New York/New Jersey

The final is here, so expect this to be the most expensive and competitive market. Start with Hyatt properties in Manhattan or consider IHG options in Jersey City with easy transit access to MetLife Stadium.

Budget: 50,000-75,000 points per night for quality hotelsPremium: 100,000+ points per night for luxury Manhattan properties

Los Angeles

LA has incredible hotel diversity, from beach properties in Santa Monica to downtown options near SoFi Stadium. Marriott Bonvoy provides the most choices here.

Budget: 35,000-50,000 points per nightPremium: 80,000-120,000 points per night for beachfront luxury

Mexico City

This is where your points go furthest. World-class hotels cost significantly fewer points than US equivalents, and the stadium is well-connected by metro.

Budget: 20,000-35,000 points per night for excellent propertiesPremium: 60,000-80,000 points per night for Five-star hotels

Toronto and Vancouver

Canadian cities during the World Cup will see massive demand from both international visitors and Canadian fans. Book early using Hyatt or IHG points.

Budget: 30,000-50,000 points per nightPremium: 70,000-100,000 points per night

Secondary Markets (Kansas City, Dallas, Houston)

These cities offer the best value for World Cup attendance. Hotels here typically require fewer points, and you're more likely to find award availability even closer to match dates.

Budget: 20,000-35,000 points per nightPremium: 50,000-75,000 points per night

Flights to North America

International visitors should start monitoring award availability as soon as the schedule drops.

From Europe

Your best options typically involve transferring points to:

• United MileagePlus for Star Alliance flights
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for Delta flights (excellent value)
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue for SkyTeam options

Expect economy awards to cost 60,000-100,000 miles roundtrip from major European cities during peak World Cup dates. Business class will run 120,000-180,000 miles.

From South America

Copa Airlines through Star Alliance partners offers good connectivity through Panama City. Avianca LifeMiles often has better award availability than other Star Alliance programs for these routes.

From Asia and Australia

The West Coast host cities (LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver) make the most sense for travelers from Asia-Pacific. United, ANA, and Singapore Airlines all have strong Star Alliance award space on these routes.

Domestic Travel Between Host Cities

One unique opportunity with the 2026 World Cup is the ability to follow your team across multiple cities using domestic flights and trains.

For US domestic flights, use Southwest Rapid Rewards if available. Southwest's lack of blackout dates and reasonable point requirements make it ideal for last-minute itinerary changes as knockout rounds are determined.

United MileagePlus and American AAdvantage work well for major routes between host cities. Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred which transfers to United at 1:1 for flexible booking options.

Between US and Canadian cities, Air Canada through Star Alliance partners provides good coverage, especially for Toronto and Vancouver connections.

Alternative Accommodation Strategies

Hotels aren't your only option, and sometimes alternative accommodations provide better value or availability.

Vacation Rentals

Vrbo and similar platforms often have better availability than hotels during major events, especially for groups. While you typically can't book these with points directly, consider using the Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3x points on the booking, or the Capital One Venture X to earn 2x points you can redeem against the charge.

Hotel Points + Cash Options

Many hotel programs offer points plus cash rates during high-demand periods. Marriott Bonvoy and IHG both provide this flexibility, letting you stretch points further by paying cash for a portion of the rate.

Staying Outside Host Cities

Consider booking hotels 20-30 miles outside host cities and using public transit or ride-shares to reach stadiums. This strategy works particularly well in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Mexico City with robust transit systems.

Essential Travel Tools and Bookings

Beyond flights and hotels, you'll need several other travel components where points and partnerships can help.

Travel Insurance

World Cup travel involves significant advance booking with non-refundable elements. Faye Travel Insurance offers comprehensive coverage including trip cancellation, and you can often pay using points-earning credit cards for added protection.

Many premium travel cards including the Chase Sapphire Reserve include trip cancellation and delay insurance when you book travel with the card, potentially saving you $200-400 on separate insurance policies.

International Data and Communication

If traveling from outside North America, you'll need data connectivity. Airalo provides affordable eSIM data plans covering all three host countries, eliminating expensive international roaming charges.

For US-based travelers, your domestic plan likely covers Canada and Mexico, but verify before departure.

Tours and Activities

Every host city offers unique experiences beyond the matches. Get Your Guide and Viator provide bookable tours, food experiences, and local activities. While you can't typically use points directly, many of these bookings code as travel on credit cards earning bonus points.

Consider booking a food tour in Mexico City, a harbor cruise in Vancouver, or a historic walking tour in Philadelphia between matches.

Ground Transportation

Airport Transfers: Many World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy premium properties offer complimentary airport shuttles. Factor this into your hotel selection since rideshare costs can add up.

Car Rentals: If visiting multiple cities or attending matches in suburban stadiums, Hertz and National both have loyalty programs that pair well with credit card elite status benefits.

Public Transit: Most host cities have robust public transportation to stadiums. Mexico City's metro is excellent and costs just a few pesos, while cities like New York, Toronto, and San Francisco offer multi-day transit passes worth purchasing.

Maximizing Your Points Earning Before 2026

You have time to build a substantial points balance before the World Cup. Here's how to accelerate your earning.

Welcome Bonuses

New credit card welcome bonuses offer the fastest path to large point balances. The current best credit card bonuses can net you 60,000-100,000 points per card.

Target cards offering transferable points first: Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture, and Amex Membership Rewards cards. Then layer in hotel-specific cards for the chains you'll use most.

Be strategic about timing. Apply for new cards at least 6-12 months before you need the points to ensure you hit spending requirements and receive bonuses well before booking.

Category Bonuses

Between now and World Cup bookings, maximize category bonuses on your daily spending:

• 3x-5x on dining and travel (most premium travel cards)
• 3x-6x on groceries (cards like Amex Gold)
• Rotating 5% categories on cards like Chase Freedom Flex

All of these points can transfer or combine into currencies useful for World Cup travel.

Shopping Portals

Don't overlook earning bonus points through shopping portals. Chase Shopping Portal, Rakuten, and airline shopping portals often offer 2x-10x bonus points on purchases you're making anyway.

Booking Strategy: When and How to Use Your Points

Knowing when to book is just as important as knowing what to book.

The 12-Month Window

Most hotel programs open award availability 12 months in advance. Set calendar reminders for exactly 365 days before each match date you're targeting. Log in at midnight in your time zone and immediately search for rooms.

For Hyatt properties, call the World of Hyatt reservation line rather than booking online. Phone agents can sometimes see more availability or offer waitlist options.

Dynamic Pricing Considerations

Both Marriott and Hilton use dynamic award pricing. Points costs can fluctuate based on demand. If you see reasonable availability, book it. You can often cancel and rebook if rates drop, but waiting usually means paying more points.

World of Hyatt and IHG use fixed award charts in most cases, making them more predictable for budgeting points.

Flexible Dates Strategy

If your schedule allows, maintain flexibility around match dates. Arriving a day early or staying an extra day after can dramatically reduce point costs since you're avoiding the absolute peak demand nights.

For knockout rounds where match dates depend on results, book refundable hotel rooms using cash or flexible points currencies, then switch to award nights once your team's match is confirmed.

Special Considerations for International Visitors

Traveling to North America for the World Cup requires additional planning beyond flights and hotels.

Entry Requirements

United States: Most international visitors need either an ESTA (visa waiver) or tourist visa. Apply at least 2-3 months before travel. Canadian and many European visitors can use ESTA, while others need full visa applications.

Canada: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada. This is separate from US authorization.

Mexico: Many nationalities can visit Mexico visa-free for tourism up to 180 days, but requirements vary by citizenship.

If attending matches in all three countries, ensure you have proper documentation for each country, even if just transiting.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Use credit cards with no foreign transaction fees for all purchases. Most premium travel cards include this benefit, but it's worth verifying before departure to avoid surprise 3% charges.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture X, and most hotel co-branded cards have no foreign transaction fees.

Currency and Payment

All three host countries have robust card payment infrastructure, but carrying some local currency helps for small vendors and tips.

• US Dollar (USD)
• Canadian Dollar (CAD)
• Mexican Peso (MXN)

ATM withdrawals using cards like Charles Schwab Debit (which refunds foreign ATM fees) are often your best exchange rate option.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't make these errors that can cost you thousands of points or ruin your trip.

Waiting too long to book: Award availability only gets worse as the tournament approaches. Book as soon as you have dates, even if tentatively.

Ignoring transfer times: Some points programs take 1-7 days to transfer. Don't wait until the last minute to move points between programs.

Booking non-refundable awards early: During group stages, you might not know which teams advance to which cities. Use refundable or flexible redemptions when possible.

Forgetting about minimum stays: Some hotels implement 3-5 night minimums during major events. Read the fine print on award bookings.

Underestimating ground transportation: Stadiums might be 15-30 miles from city centers. Factor in transportation time and costs when selecting hotels.

Skipping travel insurance: With bookings made 12+ months in advance, circumstances change. Protect your investment with comprehensive coverage from providers like Faye or Freely.

Beyond the Matches: Maximizing Your Trip

The World Cup is more than just 90 minutes of soccer. Each host city offers incredible experiences worth exploring with your points strategy.

Pre-Match Activities

Build in time to explore each host city. Get Your Guide offers walking tours, food experiences, and cultural activities in all 16 cities. Book these using your Chase Sapphire Preferred for 2x-3x points on travel.

In Mexico City, consider a day trip to Teotihuacan pyramids. Toronto visitors shouldn't miss Niagara Falls. New York offers countless museums, shows, and restaurants between matches.

Dining and Entertainment

Use American Express Dining credits or Chase Sapphire Reserve Priority Pass benefits for upscale dining experiences. Many premium cards include statement credits usable at restaurants.

World Cup host cities will feature fan zones, viewing parties, and cultural events throughout the tournament. Most are free or low-cost, providing authentic local atmosphere between matches you're attending.

Extending Your Trip

If you've come from another continent, consider extending your stay to explore more of North America. Southwest Rapid Rewards works brilliantly for adding domestic US flights to explore additional cities at minimal point costs.

Canadian visitors might explore US national parks post-tournament. International visitors could add a Hawaii extension or west coast road trip using rental car points.

FAQ

How many points do I need for a week-long World Cup trip?

Plan for 150,000-300,000 points for a moderately comfortable trip including flights and hotels. This assumes economy flights from within North America or nearby, mid-tier hotel properties, and 4-5 nights accommodation. International business class flights and luxury hotels could require 500,000+ points.

Can I book World Cup hotels with points right now?

Most hotels open award bookings 12 months in advance, so availability depends on match dates. For group stage matches in June 2026, booking windows open in June 2025. Monitor hotel program booking calendars and set reminders for exactly 365 days before your target dates.

Which credit cards should I get specifically for World Cup travel?

Start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve for transferable points. Add a World of Hyatt card if staying in major cities, or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless for broader coverage. The IHG Premier works well for secondary markets and budget-conscious travelers.

What happens if my team doesn't advance past the group stage?

This is why booking flexibility matters. Use hotel programs with free cancellation policies when possible, or book refundable rates using transferable points. Most hotel chains allow award cancellation up to 24-48 hours before arrival without penalty. For flights, consider purchasing refundable tickets or using Southwest's flexible cancellation policy.

Is it worth going to multiple host cities?

Absolutely, if you have the time and points. Each city offers unique experiences, and domestic travel between US cities is relatively affordable using points. Seeing matches in multiple venues and experiencing different cities can make your World Cup trip more memorable. Budget about 25,000-50,000 additional points per city hop for flights and accommodation.

How do knockout stage logistics work with points bookings?

The challenge is you don't know which teams play where until group stages complete. Book refundable hotel rooms in likely knockout stage cities as soon as possible. Once match-ups are determined, either keep your bookings or cancel and rebook in the correct city. Award flights should be booked as soon as knockout matchups are announced, typically just 2-3 days before matches.

Conclusion

The 2026 FIFA World Cup offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the world's biggest sporting event across three incredible countries. With the right points strategy, you can attend multiple matches, stay in quality hotels, and explore amazing cities without depleting your savings.

Start building your points now through strategic credit card applications and everyday spending optimization. Monitor award availability as soon as booking windows open 12 months before match dates. Maintain flexibility where possible since knockout round logistics depend on results. And most importantly, book early because award space only gets scarcer as the tournament approaches.

Whether you're planning to follow your national team through the entire tournament or attend a few select matches, points and miles can make this dream trip financially feasible. The World Cup is coming to North America, and your points strategy starts today.

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