FIFA announces official seating capacities for 2026 World Cup venues

FIFA has officially revealed the seating capacities for all 16 venues that will host the 2026 World Cup, the first tournament to feature an expanded 48-team format. The numbers range from a relatively modest 43,000 seats to a staggering 90,000-plus, painting a picture of just how massive this event is going to be.

Spread across three countries, 11 stadiums in the United States, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada, these venues represent the most geographically ambitious World Cup ever staged.

The biggest and smallest stages

AT&T Stadium in the Dallas area sits at the top of the list, capable of holding more than 90,000 spectators depending on its tournament configuration.

On the other end of the spectrum, BMO Field in Toronto checks in at approximately 43,000 seats, making it the most intimate venue on the roster.

Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca brings a capacity of 80,824. The stadium has hosted two World Cup finals previously, in 1970 and 1986.

MetLife Stadium in the New York/New Jersey area offers between 80,663 and 87,157 seats depending on how it’s configured for specific matches.

Why 48 teams changes everything

The 2026 World Cup represents a seismic shift in tournament structure. Previous World Cups featured 32 teams. This one bumps that number to 48, which means more group-stage matches, more knockout rounds, and a significantly longer tournament window.

Having 16 venues is itself a departure from recent precedent. Qatar’s 2022 World Cup used just 8 stadiums. Russia’s 2018 tournament used 12.

The three-nation hosting arrangement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico was awarded back in 2018.

Configurations still in flux

FIFA has indicated that net capacities could continue to shift as stadium configurations evolve ahead of the tournament.

The capacity updates from FIFA began appearing in mid-2025, with the most recent figures noted in October 2025.

For fans trying to secure tickets, the capacity figures matter quite a bit. A match at AT&T Stadium with 90,000-plus seats offers better odds in a ticket lottery than one at BMO Field with 43,000.

What this means for the tournament’s footprint

The heavy US weighting of venues, 11 out of 16, reflects both the commercial reality and the infrastructure advantage. Mexico and Canada contribute iconic venues and geographic diversity, but the US is carrying the bulk of the hosting duties.

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