Mexico Is Turning the 2026 World Cup Into a Nationwide Travel Celebration — With Hotel Upgrades, Cultural Routes, and a Historic Stadium Opener

The anticipation is already building. In less than a year, Mexico will once again step onto the global stage of the FIFA World Cup — not just as a host, but as a country determined to turn the world’s biggest sporting event into a nationwide celebration of culture, heritage, and tourism.

This week in Mexico City, Secretary of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez Zamora and Gabriela Cuevas Barrón, Mexico’s representative for the 2026 tournament, unveiled a sweeping national strategy designed to ensure the World Cup leaves a legacy that reaches all 32 states, far beyond the stadium walls of Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

A Plan for All of Mexico

At Punto México, before tourism leaders and business chambers, Rodríguez detailed how the government expects the event to attract more than 5.5 million additional visitors, generate new investment, and create jobs. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to trigger new investments, strengthen tourism employment, and promote Mexico as what it truly is: one of the most important destinations in the world,” she said.

The plan envisions not just matchday crowds, but cultural experiences that unfold across the country. From June 5 to July 22, the “México de mis Sabores” Gastronomic Festival will showcase the flavors of every region. Archaeological zones will host exhibitions of the traditional Mesoamerican ballgame, and Pueblos Mágicos will see beautification projects under the Rutas Mágicas de Color program. A national soccer championship among Pueblos Mágicos, scheduled for late 2025, aims to blend local sport with cultural tourism.

Host City Preparations

Each host city is building its own approach.

In Mexico City, a 3-billion-peso renovation of Mexico City Stadium — site of the opening ceremony on June 11, 2026 — is underway. After the final whistle, the iconic venue will be transformed into a convention and trade center, continuing its role as a magnet for international events.

In Guadalajara, officials are creating new tourism routes and upgrading hotels and the airport to accommodate tens of thousands of fans. Zapopan Mayor Juan José Frangie Saade noted that this will mark the first time Mexico’s national team plays in Jalisco.

And in Monterrey, Secretary of Tourism Maricarmen Martínez Villarreal outlined a “three-pillar” plan of public works, safety, and environmental renewal designed to strengthen the city’s reputation beyond industry and spotlight Nuevo León as a cultural destination.

A Historic Legacy

The 2026 tournament will make Mexico the first country to host three World Cups. Mexico City Stadium will also become the only venue in the world to host three opening matches — 1970, 1986, and now 2026. Those earlier tournaments delivered iconic moments: Pelé lifting Brazil to glory and Maradona producing what many still call the greatest performance in football history.

This time, Mexico will stage 13 matches across three venues — Mexico City Stadium, Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey — alongside Canada and the United States – in the expanded 48-team, 104-match format.

FIFA has already released city-specific posters to celebrate each Mexican host, underscoring the historic symbolism of this moment.

Private Sector Partnerships

Rodríguez emphasized that the government cannot carry the effort alone. Hotels, airlines, tour operators, and cultural institutions are being asked to play an active role. Public–private collaboration, she said, will be essential to maximize the impact of the World Cup — from visitor spending to Mexico’s long-term global image.

“We are ready to make the 2026 World Cup the best in history,” Rodríguez said. “Mexico will showcase itself to the world as the great tourism and cultural power it is, bringing the benefits of this event to every corner of the country.”