This article is part of our World Cup Stadium Guides series, in which we look at the 16 venues that will host matches at the 2026 tournament.
San Francisco evokes images of the Golden Gate Bridge and steep hills rolling towards the bay, but for the 2026 World Cup it is the home of the San Francisco 49ers that will take centre stage.
Levi’s Stadium will transform from a top NFL destination to a World Cup venue, welcoming fans from around the globe to a region more often associated with tech giants and coastal scenery than international soccer.
Located 40 miles south of San Francisco in Santa Clara, Levi’s Stadium sits at the heart of Silicon Valley, reflecting the innovation of the world’s leading technology hub.
Its modern look is matched by the technology inside, as a stadium that is well-connected and perfectly equipped for major events. The stadium has already hosted NFL playoff games, international soccer matches, major concerts and two Super Bowls, the latter the Seattle Seahawks’ win over the New England Pastriots in February.
Here’s what you need to know…
What is it normally called? And what will it be called at the World Cup?
The venue is normally known as Levi‘s Stadium, through a naming-rights partnership with the iconic American apparel brand.
Since opening in 2014 as the home of the 49ers, the stadium has carried the Levi’s name while hosting over 200 major sporting events and concerts.
For the duration of the World Cup, the stadium will become known as San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, as tournament rules set by FIFA do not allow stadiums to use commercial naming rights during the competition. Except Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
When did it open, how much did it cost, and who plays there?
The stadium became the fastest-constructed venue in NFL history. Work on Levi‘s Stadium began in 2012 and officially opened in July 2014.
The project to take the San Francisco 49ers into a new home cost roughly $1.3billion and, over the past two years, has gone through a further $200million renovation to be better equipped for this moment.
While primarily built for American football, the stadium was also designed to host large international soccer matches and other major events.
There is intent to never let this stadium become outdated and having the Super Bowl and World Cup in the same year provides a perfect opportunity for some major upgrades.
Sam Darnold celebrates after the Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in February (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
What are the most famous moments there?
The first event hosted was a soccer match between San Jose Earthquakes vs Seattle Sounders on August 2, 2014, and the first NFL regular season game was 49ers vs Bears on September 14, 2014. Since then, Super Bowl 50 and Super Bowl LX have been stand-out hosting moments for the venue.
The 49ers, of course, have produced their own special moments — and a comeback win to beat the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFC Championship game was among the best.
Special mentions go out to WrestleMania 31 in 2015 and Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour for drawing huge crowds and publicity.
How many fans can it hold? Will it be full for the World Cup?
Another famous moment for the 49ers came in the 2019 NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers, with a record attendance of 72,211.
Raheem Mostert scores the first touchdown as the San Francisco 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers 37-20 in front of a record crowd (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Levi’s Stadium has a standard 68,500 seating capacity but records have been set beyond that number. A huge crowd was present for Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour in 2023, recorded at 78,881.
In international soccer, the Copa America encounter between Mexico and Chile in 2016 drew an attendance of 70,547. The most recent Super Bowl had an attendance of 70,823 — and World Cup games are anticipated to reach towards 71,000.
What kind of pitch does it use?
The stadium was designed to be an open stadium with a natural grass field but special work and attention go into the care and conditioning of the playing surface.
Field drainage has been an area of particular focus to help satisfy World Cup organisers, with irrigation and ventilation important aspects of having the surface in perfect condition.
Other modifications have also been necessary. As part of the $200m renovation to the stadium last year, they installed modular seating in the corners of the lower bowl — which allowed them to increase the field size to comply with FIFA field regulations.
What will the weather be like?
Having a hooded sweatshirt is always a good idea in San Francisco, but down at the stadium there is a good chance of hot weather.
June in Santa Clara would be expected to mark the beginning of a warm period, with average temperatures around the mid-20s C (mid-70s F).
This time of year sees the longest days, and games played in the daytime could become particularly warm in the stands. Perhaps this is reflected in the fact that most games are being played later in the day.
Are there other changes for the World Cup?
Fittingly for a city at the heart of the tech industry, the stadium has undergone significant upgrades to ensure very strong connectivity and high-speed internet throughout the venue.
New video boards have been installed at both ends and the mega screens are 71 per cent bigger than the old ones — providing the venue with the NFL’s largest 4K display. They truly are huge, but their presence makes the stadium feel more enclosed.
Additionally, suites around the stadium have been remodelled with new furnishings and, of course, better technology.
How do you get there?
If staying in the heart of San Francisco, the stadium is almost an hour south in Santa Clara. It is advisable to look into up-to-the-minute parking information ahead of any game if driving.
Public transport is encouraged where possible, and Caltrain provides a link down from San Francisco.
The venue is located near several routes, including Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail and bus lines, as well as ACE and Capitol Corridor rail.
If considering rideshare, the drop-off for 49ers games is listed along the bus stop south of Great America Parkway, while pick-up is located at Red Lot 7.
What can fans expect?
Some modern stadiums become boring but this is one of the most intelligent, digital-forward arenas for sport.
San Francisco prides itself on being known as an innovative venue experience and the all-round viewing perspective is enhanced further thanks to 13,000 square feet of LED screens being upgraded — as well as a new LED field-lighting system to brighten the playing surface during night games.
Anything else?
Hosting major events beyond American football helps the stadium become a huge economic driver for the area.
In its first 10 years of operation, it added $2bn to the Bay Area economy, creating more than 12,000 jobs — and the World Cup brings another chance for growth.
Which games will be played there?
There are five group games being played there and then a round of 32 match that will feature the winner of Group D, which includes the United States.
June 13: Group B, Qatar v Switzerland, 12pm Local time, 8pm BST
June 16: Group J, Austria v Jordan, 9pm Local time, 5am BST
June 19: Group D, Turkey v Paraguay, 9pm Local time, 5am BST
June 22: Group J, Jordan v Algeria, 8pm Local time, 4am BST
June 25: Group D, Paraguay v Australia, 7pm Local time, 3am BST
July 1: Round of 32, Match 81, 5pm Local time, 1am BST
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