With 16 cities spread across three nations hosting the 2026 World Cup, we got to see some truly impressive stadiums. From the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico, where the opening match took place, to the MetLife Stadium in New York and New Jersey, which will host the final on July 19, players, fans and journalists are discovering new facilities. But which of these met expectations? And which ones turned out to be disappointing? We asked our BBC Sport reporters to tell us about their experiences in Mexico, the USA and Canada.
Azteca Stadium (Mexico) - John Murray (BBC Radio 5 Live senior commentator)
It's the Azteca: it has football history oozing from every corner. Although the stadium has been modernised, it is indisputably the place where Carlos Alberto scored that famous fourth Brazilian goal in the 1970 final and where Diego Maradona shone for Argentina in 1986. The strange thing is that the pitch seems to have the same glittering quality that I remember watching on TV all those years ago. And when you add a backdrop of passionate Mexicans - I'll never forget the cascade of sombreros in the opening match - I'm sure there won't be a better stage for this World Cup. Really, it should host the final.
Boston Stadium - Pat Nevin (former Scotland winger and BBC Radio 5 Live recapper)
Boston Stadium is the home of the New England Patriots. Like many others here, it offers a fantastic view from every seat in those steep steps. For us in the press, high up in the stands, it's great for tactical analysis, but less useful for identifying players. Even Erling Haaland would look like an ant from that height. The large arena holds the atmosphere well, but you have to enter first and this is not helped by the, to say the least, inadequate signage I have ever seen at a World Cup. Getting there from Boston takes forever, but the helpful staff eases the blow a bit - even if overall they don't know the place well.
Seattle Stadium - Gary Rose (BBC Sport football journalist)
Of the three World Cup stadiums I've visited, Seattle Stadium - better known as Lumen Field - best meets the criteria for a perfect stadium experience for me. The pitch is located in the center of the city and once inside offers one of the best backdrops I have ever experienced in football. On one side are the skyscrapers of Seattle, while on the other rises the snow-capped peak of Mount Rainier. Then there's the atmosphere. The curved roof design of the two longitudinal stands acts as an amplifier, bouncing crowd chants back towards the pitch, which can physically vibrate the stadium with noise. It has to be experienced to be believed.
Philadelphia Stadium - Neil Johnston (BBC Sport football journalist)
Philadelphia has really embraced this World Cup. Fans from around the world gathered in their hundreds around the famous 'Rocky' statue outside the Museum of Art, while there was a wonderful atmosphere at Philadelphia Stadium as Brazil beat Haiti 3-0 last Friday. This is one of the few World Cup stadiums that allows tailgating - where fans meet in car parks outside the stadiums to cook, eat and drink before the match. You could feel the energy on the pitch as Haitian fans, happy to see their team on the World Cup stage, danced alongside Brazilian supporters.
Dallas Stadium - Phil McNulty (BBC Sport Football Editor)
Dallas Stadium is beautifully appointed with a roof that remained closed. It is also air-conditioned to provide a near-perfect cool environment for players and supporters. The steep bleachers create an extraordinary atmosphere while the wide concourses allow fans to move in freedom and comfort. Big screens are exactly what you expect – and more. The press box is plush and enclosed, with open windows that let in some of the atmosphere. It is easy to arrive and depart thanks to the wide roads surrounding the stadium, which allow traffic-free flow. A great experience.
New York New Jersey Stadium & Atlanta Stadium - Ian Dennis (BBC Radio 5 Live Senior Reporter)
MetLife Stadium - renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup - left the biggest impression of those visited, but overall I'd choose Atlanta. My initial reaction to MetLife went viral in the US after I posted on social media: "wow...a breath-taking stadium"...it had over five million views! Turns out he's not very popular in the US. It had the surprise effect because entering so high up, I felt like I could touch the clouds as this large outdoor arena opened up before my eyes. Atlanta is stunning with its angular glass and steel exterior - and offers the ultimate fan experience. It's unique inside with disjointed bleachers, escalators and walkways behind one of the goals and a giant circular screen hanging from the ceiling, although I couldn't see the goal line from where I stood.
Kansas City Stadium - Elizabeth Conway (BBC Sport football reporter)
Arrowhead Stadium is a phenomenal outdoor stadium, offering great views of the city and an unforgettable experience on match day. Kansas City has a legendary tailgating culture, considered one of the best in the country and includes some of the best barbecue. Inside the stadium, the atmosphere is equally impressive. It was the stage for Argentina's opening World Cup match against Algeria, providing a fitting backdrop as Lionel Messi scored a historic hat-trick in a 3-0 victory. The sight of the sun setting over the stadium as Messi further etched his name into football history, combined with the energy and noise of the crowd, made the occasion unforgettable.
Seattle Stadium - Vicki Sparks (BBC commentator)
Lumen Field is the stadium that truly took my breath away - and, believe me, it's loud. So loud, in fact, that it has entered the Guinness Book of Records twice for its noise levels, thanks to its horseshoe-shaped design, which keeps much of the sound inside the stadium - although I can personally attest that you can hear the roar even a 25 minute walk away! The north section is particularly impressive: it stands like the bow of a ship on the crest of a wave, and the open sky on both sides of the seating area offers breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline. Inside, the stadium's corridors are enormous – yet, even when empty, they continue to exude character and heritage, whether through rows of jerseys marking famous artists who have played at Lumen Field (including Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran) or the Seattle Seahawks' Wall of Legends.
Dallas Stadium - Kelly Somers (BBC presenter)
As soon as you enter the stadium in Dallas, the vastness takes your breath away, as it surrounds you and makes you feel incredibly small. I've always found there's something special about empty stadiums. We were there the day before England played Croatia, and walking around the stadium, it really looked like an arena fit for a big occasion, and you can feel the big moments it hosted. Plus, in the intense US heat - which Dallas also has - the air conditioning is, of course, a welcome addition, as is the roof, which helped keep the noise out and really added to the atmosphere. I was also extremely grateful for the screens. Many stadiums seem to boast about this, but I especially appreciated the ones Dallas has above the field in the center of the stadium - because our seats were so high up, it helped us actually see the game!
