San Francisco Bay Area (Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara)

The San Francisco Bay Area will host six FIFA World Cup matches at Levi's Stadium (FIFA name: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium): five group-stage games and one Round of 32 knockout match on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Official match dates & numbers:

• Sat, June 13 — Match 8 (Group)
• Tue, June 16 — Match 20 (Group)
• Fri, June 19 — Match 31 (Group)
• Mon, June 22 — Match 44 (Group)
• Thu, June 25 — Match 60 (Group)
• Wed, July 1 — Match 81 (Round of 32)

Levi's Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, opened in 2014 and has hosted Super Bowl 50, Copa América Centenario's opening match, and global concerts—making it a proven stage for mega-events.

Capacity: ~71,000 for FIFA events.

Location: Santa Clara, CA (heart of Silicon Valley).

Clear‑bag policy:

Allowed: Clear plastic/vinyl/PVC bags ≤ 12″×6″×12″, one-gallon clear zip bags, and small clutch ≤ 4.5″×6.5″.

Not allowed: backpacks, large purses, non-clear bags beyond clutch size.

Medical/diaper bags: permitted after inspection.

No on-site bag check—return unapproved bags to your car or use off-site storage.

Pro tip: Levi's is cashless; bring cards or mobile pay. Reverse ATMs may be available for cash-to-card conversion.

1) Caltrain + VTA Light Rail (recommended from SF Peninsula)

Step 1: Take Caltrain from San Francisco (4th & King) or Peninsula stations to Mountain View.

Step 2: Transfer to VTA Orange Line Light Rail → Great America Station (north side of Levi's).

Event service: Both agencies run extended hours and extra trains for major events; Caltrain offers a joint Caltrain+VTA Day Pass for convenience.

2) From San Jose / South Bay

VTA Light Rail connects hubs in San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Milpitas, Campbell directly to Great America Station.

Fare: ~$2.50–$3; pay via Clipper app or vending machines.

3) From SJC Airport

Cheapest: VTA Green Line tram from Metro/Airport Station → Great America Station (~42 min, ~$6).

Alternative: Line 60 bus → Santa Clara Transit Center → VTA Light Rail.

Taxi/rideshare: ~10 min, $30–$40 (surge likely on matchdays).

4) Driving & parking

Expect heavy congestion and street closures around Tasman Drive; pre-purchase parking if you must drive. Stadium strongly recommends public transit.

SFO → Downtown SF: BART Red/Yellow Line from SFO station (International Terminal) → Powell/Montgomery/Embarcadero (~28–30 min; ~$9–$12).

SJC → Stadium: VTA Light Rail or rideshare (~10 min taxi; ~$30–$40).

OAK → SF: BART via Coliseum station; allow ~45–50 min to downtown.

As of late 2025, the official Fan Festival site for the Bay Area is still TBD. Local reporting and host committee updates confirm plans for large-scale fan activations across SF and San Jose, with likely candidates including Embarcadero waterfront or Civic Center Plaza. Expect free entry, giant screens, music, food, and cultural programming for 39 days. Watch the Bay Area Host Committee page for the final announcement.

Bay Area Host Committee

San Francisco (Union Square / Embarcadero): Big-city energy, nightlife, and direct Caltrain access for stadium days.

Santa Clara / San Jose: Closest to Levi's; ideal if you want short rides and less transit juggling.

Peninsula (Palo Alto / Mountain View): Great for Caltrain + VTA combo; vibrant dining scenes.

Base in SF or Palo Alto for nightlife + easy Caltrain access.

Matchdays: Caltrain → Mountain View → VTA Light Rail → Levi's; linger post-match for crowd clearance, then reverse.

Off-days: Golden Gate Bridge sunrise, Mission District tacos, and Fan Festival watch parties once location drops.

Pro tip: Book Caltrain+VTA joint pass early; Clipper app saves time.

Stay near Santa Clara for minimal transfers; VTA Light Rail is stroller-friendly.

Pack layers: SF mornings = foggy 55°F; Santa Clara afternoons = sunny 80°F.

Bag drill: Clear ≤12″×6″×12″; clutch ≤4.5″×6.5″; medical exceptions OK.

Festival fun: Expect lawns, cultural activations, and family zones at the official site (TBD).

Family‑friendly activities: Golden Gate Park, Alcatraz, San Jose Children's Discovery Museum, and the Fan Festival once announced.

Tickets & hospitality

Buy via FIFA.com/tickets; Visa presale draws and hospitality packages (venue series, premium lounges) will be announced by FIFA and the Bay Area Host Committee.

Match-day transport recap

• Best bet: Caltrain + VTA Light Rail; extra service planned.
• From SJC: VTA Green Line tram (~42 min, $6).
• Driving: Avoid if possible; congestion and closures likely.

Weather

SF: June avg high 66°F, foggy mornings; July avg high 71°F.

Santa Clara: June avg high 78°F; July avg high 83°F—pack sunscreen.

The final 10 words on bags

Clear 12×6×12; clutch 4.5×6.5; medical OK; no bag check.

A) Singles — "Fog, footy, and Silicon Valley nights" (4 days)

• Day 1: Land SFO → BART to SF → sunset at Twin Peaks.
• Day 2 (Group match): Caltrain → Mountain View → VTA → Levi's; post-match drinks in Palo Alto.
• Day 3: Golden Gate + Alcatraz; evening at Fan Festival (once announced).
• Day 4: Brunch in North Beach; BART back to SFO.

B) Families — "Layers, light rail, and less stress" (4 days)

• Day 1: Check into Santa Clara; scout VTA stops.
• Day 2 (Match): VTA to Levi's; arrive early; clear tote ready.
• Day 3: San Jose Children's Discovery Museum; evening Fan Festival watch party.
• Day 4: Easy breakfast; short hop to SJC for departure.

Levi's Stadium (San Francisco Bay Area Stadium):

June 13 (M8) · June 16 (M20) · June 19 (M31) · June 22 (M44) · June 25 (M60) · July 1 (M81, Round of 32).