By: Paul Wade
Football or soccer? Fútbol or Fussball? The name may change but the passion is the same. And this year, fans around the world will be focused on the USA from June 14 until July 13. That’s when 32 clubs from every continent will compete in the men’s FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
And if that’s not enough, next year sees the US (along with Mexico and Canada) hosting another major football event – the men’s FIFA World Cup 2026 (fifa.com) when, from June 11 to July 19, 48 nations will battle it out to show who’s No 1.
For both tournaments, there are fixtures up, down and across the country. So, follow your team or country and explore the USA. Take in urban pleasures, the great outdoors and all-American experiences, such as driving Route 66, seeing New York from atop the Empire State Building and taking selfies on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Read on for ideas of where to go and what to do. Support your club this year; cheer your country in 2026. Why not do both? Build in extra time for that special holiday – or, as US ‘soccer’ fans would say, vacation.
NORTH-EASTERN USA
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
→ Matches in 2026 at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Boston (meetboston.com) is best known as a treasure chest of American history and culture. Walk the Freedom Trail to discover the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of the Revolution. See the city aboard a Duck Tour – its WW II-style amphibious landing craft trundles the streets and then splashes into the Charles River. Join sports-mad Bostonians in pubs, such as Banners Kitchen & Tap, where the 40ft LED screen is the biggest in New England, and Sullivan’s Tap, dating back to 1933, known to locals as Sully’s and the city’s oldest sports bar.
HEAD TO THE SHORE: New England is lined with sandy beaches and seaside resorts, both on the mainland and islands. Head southwards to Cape Cod to ferry over to Martha’s Vineyard (mvy.com), where you can swim, sail and kayak, eat lobster and treat yourself to home-made ice cream. This summer marks the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster Jaws, filmed on the island. Celebrate by jumping off the ‘Jaws bridge’!
New Hampshire may only have 18 miles of this coastline, but it is spectacular. Picturesque Hampton Beach State Park, just south of Portsmouth and open daily from June 1, is well-equipped and ideal for both swimming and sandcastle building. Only two hours north of Boston, the scenic region around Squam Lake was the setting for 1980’s film, On Golden Pond, starring both Jane Fonda and her father, Henry, and on Lake Winnipesaukee you can travel from island to island on America’s oldest floating post office, the US Mailboat Sophie C.
NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY
→ Matches in 2025 & 2026 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York (nyctourism.com) is even livelier this year, as the Big Apple marks its 400th birthday and celebrates such new attractions as trendy Brooklyn’s Museum of Food and Drink. Hosting both FIFA Finals, MetLife Stadium is actually in the neighbouring state of New Jersey’s East Rutherford (visitnj.org), where there will be the first-ever half-time show for a FIFA World Cup final, with Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin and band manager Phil Harvey helping to select the participating artists.
Keen shoppers will be pleased to hear that near to the stadium is the American Dream, the USA’s second-largest mall, with 400 stores as well as an indoor theme park, North America’s largest indoor water park and even a year-round ski slope. Party goers may also want to head to Jersey City, the only site scheduled to host a Fan Fest for the duration of all the games. It’s also the launching site for ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
GO UPSTATE: ‘Upstate’ is local jargon for the unspoiled scenic region north and west of New York City. Drive up the Hudson Valley, stopping at historic and palatial homes, including that of WWII President Franklin Delano Roosevelt; celebrate the 200th anniversary of the renowned Erie Canal; take a steamboat cruise around Lake George and enjoy wine tasting in one or more of the Finger Lakes vineyards – then finish at thunderous Niagara Falls (winewaterwonders.com).
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
→ Matches in 2025 & 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
On July 4, 2026, Philadelphia (discoverphl.com) kicks off America’s 250th birthday party. See Independence Hall, home of the Declaration of Independence, and the nearby Liberty Bell. Spend time in new neighbourhoods, such as Northern Liberties (NoLibs), a former industrial area now buzzing with brewpubs, restaurants and funky boutiques, and note that Philly has fantastic street art and has also starred in films such as The Sixth Sense, Trading Places, Blowout and, of course, 1976’s acclaimed Rocky. Throw some punches next to the Rocky Statue at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and then run up its 72 steps as Sylvester Stallone did, symbolising the rise of an underdog to great heights.
HISTORY BUFFS: Drive west to walk through the now peaceful Gettysburg battlefield where, in 1863, the Civil War’s bloodiest clash was fought. Then join the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway (hallowedground.org), the 180-mile trail to mountain-top Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia, home of Thomas Jefferson, the charismatic author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the USA.
WASHINGTON DC
→ Matches in 2025 at Audi Field, DC
Sightseeing is easy in the nation’s capital (washington.org), as many of Washington, DC’s most-famous sights are on or near the National Mall. So, view not only the US Capitol and White House but also the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the Mall’s fun-for-all-ages National Air and Space Museum as well as the newer National Museums of the American Indian and African American History and Culture, both worth a full day. And all are free! And then explore and enjoy such neighbourhoods as elegant Georgetown and H Street NE, with its party atmosphere.
ON THE WATERFRONT: An hour’s drive from DC is Maryland’s capital city Annapolis (visitannapolis.org), a charmer of a city that dates back to Colonial times but features up-to-date cafés that serve local crab, shrimp and oysters. Go for a cruise or charter a boat to explore the islands and harbours of North America’s largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay.
SOUTH-EASTERN USA
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
→ Matches in 2025 & 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Dynamic and diverse, Atlanta (discoveratlanta.com) is famous as the hometown of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Chart his life, from boyhood to leader of the Civil Rights movement, at his birthplace, museum, tomb and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached. But there’s more than history in this city – football fans head for the Little Five Points neighbourhood, with its football-themed Brewhouse Café; and for Southern soul food, check out the Twisted Soul Cookhouse, where star chef Deborah VanTrece’s thoroughly-modern dishes include Confit Jerk Duck with a Creole Orange Glaze.
ISLANDS IN THE SUN: Georgia’s 110 miles of Atlantic coastline are studded with barrier islands. One of the most attractive – and accessible by car – is Jekyll Island (jekyllisland.com), a holiday getaway with sandy beaches, golf and tennis, horse riding and bicycles. For a real treat, stay at the family-friendly Jekyll Island Club.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
→ Matches in 2025 at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Art galleries and live music; history, botanic gardens and shopping – Charlotte (charlottesgotalot.com) ticks all the boxes. For petrol heads, the must-see is the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where cars are the stars in this celebration of an all-American style of racing. Buckle up in a simulator and see what it takes to be a top driver and then learn how NASCAR started – transporting illegal moonshine! Around the city, trendy neighbourhoods include North Davidson (NoDa), an arts district with hip bars, and Elizabeth, where the Big Ben pub is hung with football banners from around the world.
FORE! With its miles of golden beaches, North Carolina is perfect for summer holidays in general and golf in particular. In the Pinehurst region (homeofgolf.com), the newest test is the par 70, 7,020-yard Pinehurst No 10, rated America’s ‘Best New Public Course in 2024’.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
→ Matches in 2025 at Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando
The Orlando area (visitorlando.com) is the undisputed world capital of theme parks, notably those associated with Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, and new attractions demand repeat visits. For instance, this May sees the opening of Universal Epic Universe, with five different experiences: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic; SUPER NINTENDO WORLD; How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; Dark Universe and Celestial Park.
And while you are in this area of Florida you can travel south-west to Winter Haven where, in May, LEGOLAND® Florida is also opening a new ‘underwater theme park’ in partnership with SEA LIFE Florida.
COUNTDOWN: On Florida’s Space Coast (visitspacecoast.com), head for resorts such as lively Cocoa Beach, handy for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which tells the story of space exploration. New this summer is The Gantry at LC-39, an interactive experience.
MIAMI, FLORIDA
→ Matches in 2025 & 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
With year-round sunshine and miles of beaches, it’s no wonder Miami (miamiandbeaches.com) is a favourite destination. Stay in South Beach, renowned for its splendid Art Deco buildings, or smaller resorts along the coast, each with its own vibe. Miami itself offers terrific shopping, live music and art galleries galore as well as Wynwood Walls, with its hand-sprayed murals (you can even have a go yourself!) – and don’t forget the new Museum of Ice Cream.
RELAX IN THE ‘VENICE OF AMERICA’: Take a gondola ride in Fort Lauderdale (visitlauderdale.com), which has 165 miles of waterways and 24 miles of sandy beaches. Stroll along Las Olas Boulevard, with its shops and restaurants, and chill in The Yard, an urban retreat like a secret village. Also note that both Miami and Fort Lauderdale are linked to Orlando via the Brightline High-Speed Rail Service and that shuttle buses run from the Aventura stop to the Hard Rock Stadium.
SOUTH AND CENTRAL USA
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
→ Matches in 2025 at Geodis Park, Nashville
America’s ‘Music City’, Nashville (visitmusiccity.com) is home to the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, which turns 100 this year; the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame, which honours the likes of Patsy Cline and Garth Brooks; and RCA Studio B, where both Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton recorded. All along Broadway, Nashville’s main street (its lower portion is known as Honky Tonk Highway), you can enjoy live music, often for free – just show your appreciation by contributing to the tip jar!
ROCKIN’ AND ROLLIN’: Are you a fan of blues, soul, jazz, country or folk? Then rent an RV motor home with all mod cons and explore the Americana Music Triangle (americanamusictriangle.com), which links Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans, starting your trip at legendary singer/songwriter Loretta Lynn’s ranch, west of Nashville.
CINCINNATI, OHIO
→ Matches in 2025 at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
The mighty Ohio River defines the port city of Cincinnati (visitcincy.com), where the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center tells the story of the slaves who crossed the river to gain their liberty in the Northern states and where the lively Over-the-Rhine (OTR) neighbourhood’s Brewing Heritage Trail reflects the city’s German roots and craft breweries … perfect for post-match celebrations – or commiserations.
THE SIPPIN’ TRIP: Cincy is also the gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (kybourbontrail.com), with three distilleries just across the river in Kentucky and 60 more along the trail that meanders to Lexington, Louisville and Bardstown.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
→ Matches in 2026 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
Jazz and BBQ, music and food – together, they reflect the past and present of Kansas City (visitkc.com). Delving into both is easy. Check out the American Jazz Museum and then take in a gig at the Blue Room next door, followed by a visit to the world’s first Museum of BBQ, opening this spring, and a delicious barbecue meal at a local restaurant (ask the waiter why KC-style barbecue is so tasty and why locals love ‘burnt ends’).
THE FOOTSTEPS OF HISTORY: In 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led an expedition to map newly-acquired Louisiana Purchase territories in the West. A statue in Kansas City marks where they camped. Follow their route west along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (lewisandclark.travel) to St Joseph, Missouri; Sioux City, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska, and beyond.
HOUSTON, TEXAS
→ Matches in 2026 at NRG Stadium (the Astrodome), Houston
“Houston, we have a problem.” Find out what really happened during April 1970’s ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, take a (simulated) space walk and look into future space travel at NASA’s Space Center Houston. Then explore Houston’s (visithoustontexas.com) cool Montrose neighbourhood, known for its clubs, vintage shops and contemporary art at the Rothko Chapel and the Menil Collection, ending up at one of the free shows in Hermann Park’s Miller Outdoor Theatre.
HIT THE BEACH: Only 50 miles south of Houston, Galveston (visitgalveston.com) is all about summer seaside family fun along its 10-mile-long Seawall Boulevard, on its old-school pleasure pier and at Schlitterbahn waterpark.
DALLAS, TEXAS
→ Matches in 2026 at AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Dallas (visitdallas.com) has all the big-city attractions, from museums and music to bars and cutting-edge restaurants, whereas nearby Fort Worth (fortworth.com) celebrates cowboy culture, with its twice-daily cowboy- escorted longhorn cattle drives down East Exchange Avenue. Get your western gear at Leddy’s, then strut your stuff at Billy Bob’s Texas, which features line dancing, bull riding and great concerts. Between the two cities, the Six Flags over Texas theme park has thrill rides galore.
EXPLORE THE AMERICAN HEARTLAND: Drive the I-35 Corridor north to Oklahoma City (visitokc.com). Along the way are Thackerville, home of Winstar Casino, the USA’s biggest, and the Arbuckle Mountains’ 77ft-tall Turner Falls. In Oklahoma City, the Old West is never far away, with the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the First Americans Museum, the Oklahoma Railway Museum and cattle auctions at the vast Oklahoma National Stockyards.
WEST COAST USA
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
→ Matches in 2025 at the Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena and in 2026 at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Los Angeles (discoverlosangeles.com) is famous for Hollywood, the movie capital of the world, nearby beaches, world-class museums – and the very first Disneyland. Seventy years old but still innovating, Disneyland Resort’s newest attraction is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a musical water ride with Princess Tiana and friends, including a scary 50ft drop.
ROAD TRIP: Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, Route 66 (historic66.com) celebrates its 100th birthday in 2026. On the California sector, stop at the original 1940 McDonalds’s restaurant in San Bernardino, the lovingly-restored Cucamonga Service Station, the ghost town of Calico in the Mojave Desert, and, at the trail’s end, Santa Monica Pier.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
→ Matches in 2026 at Levi’s® Stadium, Santa Clara
From the Golden Gate Bridge and island-sited Alcatraz to Nob Hill and Chinatown, images of San Francisco (sftravel.com) are oh-so familiar. The new Counterculture Museum covers the period in the 1960s when the city was the centre of hippiedom, the Beat Generation, the women’s lib and the civil rights movement. And over on Fisherman’s Wharf, the new Smurfs The Adventure ‘interactive experience’, complete with glow-in-the-dark mushrooms, appeals to everyone’s inner child. An hour south of the city, Santa Clara is not only home to Levi’s® Stadium but, as the ‘Gateway to Silicon Valley’, of the Intel Museum, all about computing. And, particularly if travelling with a family, you might want to check out the thrill rides and waterpark in California’s Great America theme park.
DRIVE THE COAST: Keeping the Pacific Ocean on your right, drive 383 miles south to Los Angeles, along the way checking out such communities as Santa Cruz, Monterey and Carmel-by-the-sea, watching surfers glide across the waves in Ventura and Malibu and enjoying a hedonistic overnight in beautiful Mediterranean-like Santa Barbara.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
→ Matches in 2025 and 2026 at Lumen Field, Seattle
With spectacular views of Seattle (visitseattle.org), Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, the towering Space Needle has been a landmark since 1962, with extra thrills from its crowning Loupe, the world’s first and only revolving glass- floored lounge. Down below, lively, colourful Pike Place Market was a destination before the word ‘foodie’ was invented, and it’s linked with Downtown and the waterfront via a stunning new elevated parkway known as the Overlook Walk.
UNCORK A SURPRISE: With 900 wineries, Washington is now America’s second-largest wine-producing state. Cycle, hike and taste in 130 vineyards around the charming town of Walla Walla (wallawalla.org) and, even better, stay in boutique gourmet hotels in the vineyards, such as the Barn B&B Walla Walla or The Inn at Abeja.
MORE INFORMATION
BUYING TICKETS: Tickets for matches in 2025 and 2026 are at a premium, so be sure to buy from sources authorised by clubs and national associations, such as the FA (TheFA.com). Approved by FIFA and national associations, specialist tour operators offering inclusive packages (for the men’s World Cup) include Sportsworld (sportsworld.co.uk) and Gullivers Sports Travel (gulliverstravel.co.uk).
Image Credits: Connor Coyne, Meet Boston, Tomas Martinez, Wen Zhu, Discover Atlanta, NASCAR Hall of Fame/Visit North Carolina, Aditya Vyas, wynwoodwalls.com, Visit Nashville TN, Richie Wireman/Visit Lex, Visit Kansas City, Visit Galveston, Visit Oklahoma City, Robert Richie, San Francisco Travel, Rachael Jones Media/Visit Seattle
