World Cup Playoffs: Travel Guide to Guadalajara & Monterrey
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup starts in Mexico this March, when six national teams compete for the tournament's final two spots. Guadalajara and Monterrey will host the intercontinental playoff tournament March 23-31, with each city's stadium welcoming two matches.
Iraq , Congo DR , Jamaica and Suriname , Bolivia , and New Caledonia , six teams from five confederations, will compete in a knockout tournament. The four-match event features two semifinal matches on March 26, with winners advancing to the March 31 finals for the two available World Cup spots. Both Estadio Akron in Guadalajara (49,000 seats) and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey (53,500 seats) will get test runs before hosting June group-stage matches.
Here's your guide to both cities if you choose to go.
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Why the Playoffs Beat the Main Event
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Getting There: Flights and Arrival
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Stadium Details and Getting There
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Where to Stay
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Getting Around
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Money and Practical Details
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Beyond the Matches
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The Bottom Line
Hotels near both stadiums still have inventory at standard rates rather than the surge pricing expected for June and July. You'll preview match day logistics from transportation and stadium atmosphere to concessions and dining, without navigating the true World Cup chaos of 50,000 fans fighting for $12 beers. Plus, the winner-take-all format creates intensity that group-stage matches fans and neturals will both enjoy.
Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) sits 25 miles southeast of downtown, 30 minutes from Estadio Akron. Direct flights from Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Denver run $180-$300 roundtrip, with budget carriers like Volaris adding World Cup capacity. (Translation: book now before they figure out what they can charge.)
Monterrey International Airport (MTY) is 15 miles from downtown, 20 minutes from Estadio BBVA. Direct flights from Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and Las Vegas offer similar fare ranges.
Both airports offer authorized taxis ($10-25), rideshare (Uber and Didi), and rental cars. Public buses reach central terminals but aren't practical with luggage.
Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
The volcano-inspired stadium sits in Zapopan, 9 miles northwest of downtown. Home to Liga MX side Chivas, it'll host Mexico vs. South Korea on June 18 during the main tournament.
City buses serve the area (routes A12, T02, T01, C109), but rideshare is more practical —15-20 minutes from downtown hotels. The stadium prohibits outside food and drink, so plan accordingly. If you rent a car, parking requires advance purchase and at least 90 minutes of pre-match maneuvering through traffic that makes Los Angeles look organized.
Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
"El Gigante de Acero" opened in 2015 as one of Mexico's most modern venues, with the Sierra Madre mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. First-row seats sit just 30 feet from the field so you’ll hear some multi-lingual trash talk.
Transportation centers on rideshare . The Metrorrey light rail serves Guadalupe but requires a 20-30 minutes walk to the stadium. Most fans use Uber or Didi. World Cup policy allows only clear bags up to 12″×6″×12″, so leave the backpack back at the hotel.
Guadalajara Hotels
Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara connects directly to Andares Mall, five miles from the stadium. Standard rooms run $150-200 nightly with upscale shopping and restaurants adjacent. It’s perfect if you need to buy a commemorative scarf at 11 PM.
Holiday Inn Express Guadalajara Vallarta Poniente sits 15 minutes from the stadium by car, with rooms under $100 including free breakfast. It's basic but clean, with recent renovations addressing "quirks" that previous guests had to endure.
The Grand Fiesta Americana Guadalajara Country Club in Providencia offers five-star luxury 25 minutes from the stadium, with rooftop pool and spa at $180-250 nightly. This is where you stay if you're treating the trip as a vacation rather than a soccer pilgrimage.
Monterrey Hotels
City Express by Marriott Monterrey Lindavista sits two miles from Estadio BBVA. It’s the closest budget option at $80-120 nightly with free breakfast. No frills, but the beds are comfortable and the Wi-Fi actually works.
Four Points by Sheraton Monterrey Linda Vista (2.5 miles from stadium) adds a pool at $100-150, which goes from nice-to-have in March to absolutely essential in June and July when Monterrey turns into a convection oven.
Fiesta Inn Monterrey Fundidora balances stadium access with downtown proximity near Fundidora Park at $90-130. The location lets you actually explore Monterrey between matches.
Downtown's Gamma Monterrey Gran Hotel Ancira , an Art Nouveau landmark from 1912, offers historic charm four miles from the stadium at $100-140. The lobby alone justifies the slightly longer ride to the match.
Both cities rely on rideshare. Uber and Didi operate reliably, with rides between downtown and stadiums costing $5-12. Guadalajara's light rail and Monterrey's Metrorrey work for exploring but aren't practical for match days unless you enjoy arriving two hours early to navigate connections. Skip rental cars unless planning day trips to Tequila or mountain destinations.
The Mexican peso trades around 20 to 1 USD at the time of writing, making your dollars stretch nicely. Cards work at upscale venues but carry cash for street food, tips, and those moments when the card reader mysteriously stops working. Airport ATMs offer the best exchange rate and like any other trip to Mexico, skip the currency exchange kiosks that think you don't understand math.
U.S. citizens need a passport but no visa for stays under 180 days. Airlines handle tourist cards at check-in, one less thing to worry about.
March weather treats you well: Guadalajara sees mid-70s highs with minimal rain; Monterrey runs low 80s. Nights cool to 50s-60s, so pack a light jacket for evening matches. If you go back in June and July you’ll find significantly hotter conditions, higher prices and huge crowds.
Guadalajara's Instituto Cultural Cabañas (UNESCO site) displays murals by José Clemente Orozco that are worth the detour even if art museums aren't usually your thing. The historic center features Guadalajara Cathedral and Teatro Degollado. Day trips to Tequila (40 miles northwest) offer distillery tours where you'll learn that good tequila tastes nothing like what you drank in college.
Monterrey's Fundidora Park converts a former steel mill into museums and concert venues. MARCO showcases Latin American art in Macroplaza. Adventurous types can hike Cerro de la Silla mountain or explore nearby caves, though maybe save the strenuous activities for after the matches.
Guadalajara's signature torta ahogada ,a pork sandwich drowned in spicy tomato broth, demands trying despite the messy eating process. Monterrey's cabrito (roasted kid goat) and carne asada define northern Mexican cuisine. If you haven't had goat, you need to try it. Of course, street tacos cost $2-3 and are amazing, while upscale restaurants rarely exceed $30-40 per person.
The March playoff tournament delivers World Cup-level soccer without World Cup-level hassles. Tickets remain available, hotels haven't spiked prices, and you'll experience these venues without overwhelming crowds.
Book soon. As playoff dates approach, inventory tightens and prices rise. Both cities justify 3-4 day trips even for single matches. Flight connections make weekend trips feasible from most U.S. cities, and March timing avoids the peak summer heat arriving three months later. Consider it a dress rehearsal for the main event minus the stress and with better hotel rates.