Ranking the 2026 World Cup Host Cities by Best Atmosphere

By Bookies.com

Feb 25th, 2026 2:22 PM EST

Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will be the first venue to host matches in three World Cups: 1970, 1986 and 2026. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest in tournament history — 48 teams, 104 matches, and 16 host cities spread across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. But not all venues are created equal when it comes to match-day atmosphere.

Bookies.com, where we are tracking soccer betting leading to the summer’s big event, built a data-driven scoring model to rank every host city based on the factors that make a stadium electric. Here's how we did it, and where each city landed.

How We Scored Each City

Our model weighs six categories based on their direct impact on in-stadium atmosphere: Soccer Culture & Supporter Passion (30%), Stadium Design & Acoustics (20%), Match Stakes & Star Power (20%), Diaspora & Local Fan Intensity (20%), Sports City Fan Culture (5%), and Destination Factor (5%).

Mexico City (94) is the clear No. 1, and it's not close. Estadio Azteca is the only stadium in the world hosting its third World Cup — the same pitch where Maradona scored the "Goal of the Century" in 1986. Mexico City's 22 million residents don't just follow soccer, they live it. The opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11 will set the emotional tone for the entire tournament.

Atlanta (90) might surprise people at No. 2, but the data backs it up. Atlanta United leads MLS in average attendance with nearly 44,000 fans per match — a number that rivals many top European clubs. Mercedes-Benz Stadium's retractable roof creates a cauldron effect that amplifies crowd noise. The city is hosting eight matches including a semifinal and two group matches for Spain, which is the World Cup favorite with +450 odds odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Feb. 25. This is a city that has proven it can sustain soccer passion beyond a single season, adding up to one of the tournament's best atmospheres.

Los Angeles (89) earns the third spot on the strength of the USMNT opening its campaign at SoFi Stadium. But LA's deeper advantage is its demographics — 47% of the metro area is Hispanic, meaning virtually every Latin American team playing here will feel like a road game for their opponent.

Dallas (88) hosts the most matches of any venue — nine, including a semifinal. AT&T Stadium's enclosed roof and expandable 93,000-seat capacity give it the highest raw noise potential in the tournament. Argentina is playing two group matches here. That, combined with DFW's 42% Hispanic population, means the atmosphere for those fixtures could rival anything in Buenos Aires.

New York (87) hosts the Final, which guarantees the single highest-stakes atmosphere of the tournament on July 19. But MetLife Stadium's open-air design and East Rutherford location cost it points against the domed venues above it. NYC's unmatched diversity means every group-stage match will still have a passionate diaspora in the stands.

The middle tier tells interesting stories. Miami (85) is 70% Hispanic and hosts Brazil, which also has a huge number of expats in the South Florida area — that's not a neutral venue, it's a home game. Houston (83) quietly has one of the best setups: a retractable-roof stadium and 44% Hispanic population. Portugal should get strong support as it plays two group stage matches there. Monterrey (82) brings raw Liga MX passion from Tigres and Rayados ultras, even if it hosts the fewest matches (four) of any site

Further down, Seattle (78) has arguably the best organic supporter culture of any US city — the Sounders' tifo game is genuinely world-class — but it has fewer marquee matchups (outside of USA vs. Australia on June 19), limiting its ceiling. Kansas City (77) boasts the loudest stadium on Earth (Arrowhead's 142.2 dB is the Guinness record), and Argentina's opener here could produce the single loudest moment of the group stage.

At the bottom, Boston (69) is a legendary sports town but in this case it is dragged down by geography. Gillette Stadium sits about 30 miles from downtown Boston, in Foxborough, which kills the walkable, pre-match energy that makes World Cup host cities feel alive.

What This Means for Bettors

Atmosphere isn't just vibes — it directly impacts match outcomes. Referee decisions, player confidence and momentum swings are all influenced by crowd energy. The smart play is identifying which teams are effectively playing home matches based on diaspora turnout. Argentina in Dallas and Kansas City, Brazil in Miami, and Mexico in Mexico City aren't neutral fixtures. Factor that into your spreads and totals when you ponder World Cup wagers with top sports betting sites — these crowds will make a difference.

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