The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, and it’s the biggest sporting event ever held on North American soil. For the first time in history, 48 national teams are competing across three countries, with 104 matches playing out from June 11 through July 19. In total, that’s five weeks of soccer, packed stadiums, flag-waving fans, and 2026 World Cup watch parties happening in living rooms, sports bars, and backyards from Seattle to Miami. Best of all, Balloon Planet is right in the middle of it. Specifically, we have local balloon professionals in 12 of the 16 host cities, ready to deliver World Cup team balloon bouquets straight to your door.
Whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan or just looking for an excuse to throw an amazing party, this 2026 World Cup watch party guide has you covered. Specifically, you’ll find the tournament schedule below, a city-by-city breakdown of the biggest matches taking place in Balloon Planet’s host cities, and everything you need to make your 2026 World Cup watch party unforgettable.
The Tournament at a Glance
The tournament is now underway, with all 48 teams competing in the group stage and each nation playing three matches. Specifically, the top two finishers from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, will advance to the knockout rounds. As a result, 32 teams will move on from the group stage, a first in World Cup history. Consequently, there will be even more opportunities for dramatic finishes and must-watch matches throughout the tournament.
Here’s how the full tournament arc looks:
Group Stage
June
11–27
48 teams
Round of 32
June 28–
July 3
Knockout begins
Round of 16
July
4–7
July 4th weekend
Quarterfinals
July
9–12
Final eight
Semifinals
July
14–15
Dallas · Atlanta
The Final
July
19
MetLife Stadium
One thing worth noting for U.S. fans: American venues are hosting the majority of the tournament. In fact, of the 104 matches, 78 will be played in the United States, including every match from the quarterfinals through the Final. Furthermore, the Round of 16 coincides with the July 4 holiday weekend. Therefore, this is the perfect opportunity to gather friends and family for a memorable watch party.
“It’s like a Super Bowl every single day for five weeks.”
– Tim Ream, USMNT Captain, via CBS News
World Cup team balloon bouquets delivered to your door. Shop Now Host Cities Where Balloon Planet Delivers
Balloon Planet has local balloon professionals in 12 of the 16 World Cup host cities, which means your balloon bouquet is hand-crafted and delivered by a real local balloon artist. In other words, not shipped in a box, not inflated days in advance. Instead, you get gorgeous, full arrangements in your team’s colors, ready for kickoff. With that in mind, here’s what’s happening in each city.
Semifinal Host ⭐8 Matches
Atlanta, GA
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta is one of the biggest stages of the entire tournament. Notably, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with its retractable roof and spectacular 360-degree halo video display, is hosting 8 matches including a semifinal on July 15. Additionally, Spain, the pre-tournament favorites and reigning European champions, have two group games here. For that reason, if you’re in Atlanta, expect this city to be buzzing with soccer energy all summer long.
Atlanta Schedule- Thu
June 18
Group Stage — Czechia vs. South Africa - Sun
June 21
Group Stage - Fri
June 26
Group Stage - Mon
June 30
Round of 32 - Mon
July 7
Round of 16 - Tue
July 15
Semifinal
Quarterfinal Host ⭐6 Matches
Boston, MA
Gillette Stadium · Foxborough
Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots and one of the most iconic sports venues in the country, is hosting a quarterfinal on July 9, making it one of just four venues in the country to reach that stage. In addition, the group stage brings France and Norway through town. As a result, soccer fans in New England are in for a truly full summer of World Cup action.
Boston Schedule- Mon
June 16
Group Stage — Iraq vs. Norway - Thu
June 19
Group Stage - Tue
June 24
Group Stage - Sun
June 29
Round of 32 - Wed
July 9
Quarterfinal
Semifinal Host ⭐7 Matches
Dallas, TX
AT&T Stadium · Arlington
Dallas is one of the most active World Cup venues in the country, hosting 7 matches including the first semifinal on July 14. To start, England vs. Croatia kicks off the group stage action at AT&T Stadium on June 17, a match that promises to be one of the most-watched of the entire tournament. Beyond that, Dallas is also hosting two Round of 32 matches and a Round of 16 game. As a result, soccer fans in DFW are in for a truly remarkable summer.
Dallas Schedule- Tue
June 17
Group Stage — England vs. Croatia - Fri
June 20
Group Stage - Fri
June 26
Group Stage - Sun
June 29
Round of 32 - Wed
July 1
Round of 32 - Sat
July 5
Round of 16 - Mon
July 14
Semifinal
Round of 16 · 7 Matches
Houston, TX
NRG Stadium
Houston has one of the most diverse soccer fan bases in the country, and NRG Stadium is hosting 7 matches. For example, Portugal’s group stage appearance here on June 17 against DR Congo is shaping up to be a must-watch. In addition, NRG Stadium is hosting a Round of 16 showdown later in the tournament. Because so many fans from every corner of the globe call Houston home, the energy inside NRG is going to be electric.
Houston Schedule- Tue
June 17
Group Stage — Portugal vs. DR Congo - Fri
June 20
Group Stage - Thu
June 25
Group Stage - Sat
June 27
Group Stage - Wed
July 1
Round of 32 - Sat
July 5
Round of 16
Quarterfinal Host ⭐6 Matches
Kansas City, MO
Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd roar ever recorded in a sports venue. Naturally, that energy is coming to the World Cup, with Kansas City hosting 6 matches including a quarterfinal on July 12. In particular, Argentina’s group stage match here on June 16 against Algeria should be one of the most electric atmospheres of the entire tournament. Beyond that, Kansas City is also hosting a Round of 32 match before the quarterfinal arrives in July.
Kansas City Schedule- Mon
June 16
Group Stage — Argentina vs. Algeria - Fri
June 20
Group Stage - Thu
June 25
Group Stage - Sat
June 27
Group Stage - Thu
July 3
Round of 32 - Sat
July 12
Quarterfinal
Quarterfinal Host ⭐Team USA 🇺🇸
Los Angeles, CA
SoFi Stadium · Inglewood · 8 Matches
LA hosted the Team USA opener on June 12, when the USMNT kicked off their World Cup campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in front of a packed house. Since then, the action has continued in Los Angeles, with a quarterfinal on July 10 and two more Round of 32 matches still to come. All in all, that makes SoFi Stadium one of the most active venues in the entire tournament.
Los Angeles Schedule- Fri
June 12
Group Stage — USA vs. Paraguay 🇺🇸 - Thu
June 18
Group Stage - Mon
June 23
Group Stage - Mon
June 29
Round of 32 - Wed
July 2
Round of 32 - Fri
July 4
Round of 16 - Thu
July 10
Quarterfinal
Quarterfinal Host ⭐6 Matches
Miami, FL
Hard Rock Stadium
If there’s a city built for this kind of moment, it’s Miami. With one of the most passionate and globally connected soccer fan bases in the country, the energy around World Cup matches at Hard Rock Stadium is going to be something else entirely. Not surprisingly, Miami is hosting 6 matches including a quarterfinal on July 11. In short, if you’re watching the World Cup in South Florida, you’re in exactly the right place.
Miami Schedule- Sat
June 14
Group Stage - Thu
June 19
Group Stage - Tue
June 24
Group Stage - Sat
June 27
Group Stage - Mon
June 30
Round of 32 - Fri
July 11
Quarterfinal
🏆 The Final8 Matches
New York / New Jersey
MetLife Stadium · East Rutherford
The biggest stage of all. MetLife Stadium is hosting the World Cup Final on July 19, the moment the entire tournament has been building toward. However, the NY/NJ area doesn’t have to wait until July to get in on the action. For instance, France vs. Senegal in the group stage on June 16 is one of the marquee early matchups. Altogether, MetLife is hosting 8 matches across the full run of the tournament, more than almost any other venue.
New York / NJ Schedule- Mon
June 16
Group Stage — France vs. Senegal - Fri
June 20
Group Stage - Thu
June 25
Group Stage - Sun
June 28
Group Stage - Mon
June 30
Round of 32 - Mon
July 7
Round of 16 - Sun
July 19
The World Cup Final
Round of 16 · 6 Matches
Philadelphia, PA
Lincoln Financial Field
Philly’s passionate sports culture makes it one of the most interesting watch party cities in the country, and Lincoln Financial Field is hosting 6 matches through the Round of 16. Furthermore, if you know anything about Philadelphia sports fans, you know this city is going to show up. Notably, the Round of 16 match on July 6 means the tournament runs deep into summer for the Philly faithful.
Philadelphia Schedule- Sun
June 15
Group Stage - Sun
June 21
Group Stage - Fri
June 26
Group Stage - Sun
June 28
Group Stage - Sun
July 6
Round of 16
Round of 32 · 6 Matches
SF Bay Area, CA
Levi’s Stadium · Santa Clara
The Bay Area has some of the deepest soccer roots in the United States. In fact, the San Jose Earthquakes are one of the original MLS clubs, and the region’s fan base draws from some of the largest Portuguese, Mexican, Brazilian, and Japanese communities in the country. As a result, nearly every match at Levi’s Stadium will have a passionate local rooting interest. Moreover, the Bay Area is hosting 6 matches through the Round of 32, including Austria vs. Jordan on June 17.
SF Bay Area Schedule- Sat
June 13
Group Stage - Tue
June 17
Group Stage — Austria vs. Jordan - Sun
June 22
Group Stage - Sat
June 27
Group Stage - Wed
July 2
Round of 32
Team USA 🇺🇸Round of 16 · 5 Matches
Seattle, WA
Lumen Field
Seattle might be the most soccer-ready city in the entire host lineup. After all, this is the home of the Sounders and one of the most dedicated soccer cultures in North America. Specifically, Lumen Field is hosting Team USA’s group stage match on June 17 against Australia. Because of this, the crowd noise at Lumen Field is going to be legendary, and the USMNT faithful are going to make it even louder than usual.
Seattle Schedule- Tue
June 17
Group Stage — USA vs. Australia 🇺🇸 - Sun
June 22
Group Stage - Sat
June 27
Group Stage - Tue
July 1
Round of 32 - Sat
July 5
Round of 16
Canada’s Opener 🇨🇦4 Matches
Toronto, Canada
BMO Field
Canada opened their World Cup at BMO Field on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a moment that carried real weight for a country that hadn’t qualified for the tournament in 40 years. Remarkably, the rise from years of missing out to hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events is one of the best stories of this entire World Cup. Additionally, BMO Field, home of Toronto FC and one of the few soccer-specific stadiums in the tournament, has three more group stage matches still to come. In other words, Toronto’s World Cup story is just getting started.
Toronto Schedule- Fri
June 12
Group Stage — Canada’s Opener 🇨🇦 - Tue
June 17
Group Stage — Ghana vs. Panama - Sun
June 22
Group Stage - Sat
June 27
Group Stage
How to Throw the Ultimate 2026 World Cup Watch Party
The beauty of the World Cup is that it gives you five weeks of legitimate reasons to gather people together. Whether you’re planning a single big 2026 World Cup watch party for the Final or hosting something for every Team USA match, a little preparation goes a long way. With that in mind, here are our top tips for throwing a watch party worth remembering.
Pick your team and commit
Half the fun of the World Cup is having a team to root for. If you’re an American, Team USA is the obvious choice. However, plenty of people have strong ties to other countries, and this is the tournament to let that flag fly. For example, you can cheer for your parents’ home country, adopt a team based on their playing style, or simply pick whoever has the best jersey. Once you’ve picked your team, go all in: team colors on the table, team flag on the wall, and a balloon bouquet in your team’s colors as the centerpiece.
Set the atmosphere early
Great watch parties are about more than pointing a TV at a couch. First, put your team’s colors to work: tablecloths, cups, plates, and decorations in the right shades. In addition, a balloon bouquet is the single fastest way to transform the energy of a room. Finally, add a flag wall behind the screen and a food spread themed to the countries playing that day. Together, these details create something that actually feels like a real event.
Know your kickoff times
World Cup games are spread across time zones, and it’s easy to lose track. For instance, most U.S. games kick off midday to evening Eastern time, but West Coast viewers can expect some noon starts. In either case, we recommend checking the schedule the day before so nobody shows up an hour late to a match that’s already half over.
Order your balloons ahead of time
The best watch parties don’t happen by accident. In fact, the balloon bouquet that makes your space feel like a real event is the one you ordered in advance. Therefore, we recommend placing your order at least a day or two before the match so your local balloon artist has time to create something truly special. As a result, early orders give you more flexibility on timing and arrangement. That said, same-day and next-day delivery are available in select locations.
Specifically, for same-day orders submitted by 11am local time, delivery will arrive by 4pm. Orders placed after 11am will be delivered by 8pm. In any case, Check availability in your city to see what options are closest to you.
