Visit the Grand Canyon Between FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches

Travelers attending the FIFA World Cup in 2026 can see amazing sites such as Grand Canyon National Park and the famous Route 66 with a stop in Flagstaff, Ariz., between games.

Flagstaff is the perfect city to stay when visiting Grand Canyon, because it takes only 90 minutes to drive from the historic downtown to the main entrance to the National Park. Travelers can either drive to the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff, or book a tour that picks them up and returns them to Flagstaff.

“Travelers who want to see Grand Canyon National Park while they are in the U.S. for FIFA World Cup events can find great places to eat, sleep and explore in Flagstaff,” said Drew Andersen, the owner of Grand Canyon Adventures, which offers guided tours of Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and other sites from Flagstaff. “Visitors can see these world-class, once-in-a-lifetime destinations by day and be back in the evening to enjoy the mountain town.”

Flagstaff’s weather is not like most of Arizona because it is at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet (2,100 meters) above sea level and surrounded by pine forests. That means the temperature is significantly cooler with an average June/July high temperature at a welcoming 82 degrees.   

FIFA World Cup 2026 will include 104 matches among 48 teams, all staged at 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The 2026 World Cup includes eight games at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and six games at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco.

Los Angeles is approximately 465 miles (748 kilometers) or a seven-hour drive from Flagstaff. San Francisco is approximately 763 miles (1230 kilometers) or about a 12-hour drive from Flagstaff. Visitors also can reach Flagstaff through direct flights from Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth, and via Amtrak train service.

Explore Flagstaff's Route 66

Flagstaff also is the biggest city in Arizona along Route 66, and has 14 miles of the historic highway with diners, breweries and even James Beard nominated restaurants along Route 66.

Route 66 turns 100 this year, and cities including Flagstaff will celebrate the Route 66 Centennial throughout the year. Flagstaff has a Route 66 Digital Passport that visitors can use to find the hidden treasures and must-see stops in the city. That can mean sampling from the 100 milkshake flavors at Galaxy Diner to tasting Route 66 themed beers at Mother Road Brewing Company. Travelers can earn points with the Route 66 Digital Passport and redeem those points for prizes at the Visitor Center at 1 W. Route 66 in Flagstaff.

More National Parks and Monuments to Explore

And World Cup fans who want to see additional National Parks and Monuments can see nine total within a two-hour drive of Flagstaff. Those include Walnut Canyon National Monument, where visitors can walk through ancient cliff dwellings. Walnut Canyon is on Route 66 just outside the city of Flagstaff.

Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments also are near Flagstaff, offering the chance to see ancient pueblos and a dormant volcano and hardened lava flows, all along a scenic drive with breathtaking views of the Painted Desert.

Where to Stay in Flagstaff During FIFA World Cup 2026 

Flagstaff has more than 40 hotel and motel properties, including several that are branded, a mountain-cozy four-star rated favorite, plus kitschy historic Route 66 motor lodges that have been remodeled. These include the High Country Motor Lodge, Americana Motor Hotel and Motel DuBeau, among others.

Where to Eat Before or After Your Grand Canyon Visit 

With nearly 200 restaurants, Flagstaff offers a variety of dining options that include eight award-winning breweries, four James Beard nominees, and everything from family-friendly pizza and hamburger spots to destination-worthy refined cuisine.

Learn more about this high-elevation, mountain town at discoverflagstaff.com.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches at SoFi Stadium: Plan Your Grand Canyon Day Trip from Los Angeles

• Match 4, Friday, June 12: USA vs. Paraguay (Group D).
• Match 15, Monday, June 15: Iran vs. New Zealand (Group G).
• Match 26, Thursday, June 18: Switzerland vs. UEFA Playoff A Winner (Group A).
• Match 39, Sunday, June 21: Belgium vs. Iran (Group G).
• Match 59, Thursday, June 25: USA vs. UEFA Playoff C Winner (Group D).
• Match 73, Sunday, June 28 (Round of 32): Group A runner-up vs. Group B Runner-up.
• Match 84, Thursday, July 2 (Round of 32): Group H Winner vs. Group J Runner-up.
• Match 98, Quarterfinals, Friday, July 10: Winner Match 93 vs. Winner Match 94.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches at Levi's Stadium: Plan Your Grand Canyon Day Trip from San Francisco 

• Match 8, Saturday, June 13: Qatar vs. Switzerland (Group B).
• Match 20, Tuesday, June 16: Austria vs. Jordan (Group J).
• Match 31, Friday, June 19: Paraguay (Group D) v. UEFA playoff C.
• Match 44, Monday, June 22: Jordan vs. Algeria (Group J).
• Match 60, Thursday, June 25: Paraguay vs. Australia (Group D).
• Match 81 (Round of 32) Wednesday, July 1: Group D Winner vs. Group B/E/F/I/J Third Place.

Please stay and play responsibly. Visit the Flagstaff Visitor Center (1 E. Rt. 66) for an official Flagstaff Visitor Guide.

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