As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, two travel experts, Nicky Kelvin and Liam Spencer from The Points Guy, undertook a seven-day challenge to visit all 16 host stadiums across North America. The tournament is set to commence on June 11, with 48 teams competing in 16 cities across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, marking the largest World Cup in history.
The Cross-Continental Challenge
The challenge required Kelvin and Spencer to travel solo in opposite directions, starting their journeys on March 2. They were only permitted to book their subsequent flight after physically arriving at a stadium, foregoing any pre-planning. The strict rules stipulated the use of at least four different airlines, a minimum of one train journey, and the capture of a selfie at each stadium. Their adventure was documented in a YouTube video uploaded on June 5.
Spencer's route began in Los Angeles, taking him north through the western United States and Canada before heading to the Midwest and eventually New York and New Jersey. His journey included a flight from Los Angeles to San Jose on March 2, followed by a trip to Seattle the next day. On March 4, Spencer boarded an Amtrak train from Seattle to Vancouver, Canada, traveling in business class. He noted the ease of entry into Canada despite the necessary declaration. His travels continued with flights from Vancouver to Dallas-Fort Worth, and then to Kansas City on March 5. Spencer recommended the TSA PreCheck program, a five-year membership costing $79.95, for efficient airport security, though he encountered a long queue at Dallas-Fort Worth. His final legs included flights to Detroit and Toronto, then to Boston and finally Newark, arriving at MetLife Stadium on March 7.
Kelvin's journey took an opposing direction, starting with an Aeromexico flight from Los Angeles to Mexico City on March 2. He observed that immigration in Mexico was more straightforward than in the United States. Following an overnight stay and a canceled flight, Kelvin traveled to Guadalajara and then Monterrey on March 3. He crossed into the United States on March 4, flying to Houston with United Airlines, and praised the efficiency of Mexican aviation and airports. The following day, he flew to Miami via American Airlines, and then to Atlanta on March 6 with Delta. Kelvin arrived in Philadelphia on March 7 at 11:30 a.m. via a Delta business class flight. Despite not completing the rail portion of the challenge, Kelvin reached the final destination before Spencer.
Travel Reflections
Kelvin highlighted the efficiency and welcoming nature of Mexican airports and airlines. However, he found public transport challenging in most locations, with Atlanta being an exception for its easy and quick access to the stadium. Spencer, conversely, experienced the scenic rail routes in Canada and found good public transport options in cities like Toronto, Seattle, and Vancouver. He cautioned that ride-sharing services like Uber can be expensive, and in some cities like Dallas and Kansas, driving might be the only option, suggesting group travel to split costs.
Both travelers arrived at MetLife Stadium, the venue for the World Cup final on July 19, just minutes apart, concluding their ambitious cross-continental race.