The most expensive stadiums of the 2026 World Cup ranked: Costs, funding and what the money bought

The 2026 World Cup in North America will be played across some of the most expensive stadiums ever built this summer.

Across the United States, Canada and Mexico, host venues have cost billions of dollars to construct, renovate and modernise, with retractable roofs, giant video boards and luxury hospitality now considered essential parts of the fan experience.

But several of the stadiums have also faced criticism over public funding, spiralling construction costs and whether supporters actually benefited from the spending.

FootballGroundGuide takes a look at the 10 most expensive stadiums hosting matches at the 2026 World Cup, ranked by cost.

1. SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – $5.5 billion (£4.1bn)

SoFi Stadium is comfortably the most expensive stadium ever built.

Privately financed by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke, the venue was designed to be more than just a football ground. The money paid for a futuristic indoor-outdoor design, a giant dual-sided 4K Oculus video board and the wider Hollywood Park entertainment district surrounding the stadium.

The project also became notorious for cost overruns and concerns over traffic and infrastructure in Inglewood, but few venues in world sport can match its scale or technology.

2. MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – $1.6 billion (£1.2bn)

Home to both the New York Giants and Jets, MetLife Stadium remains one of the largest venues at the tournament with more than 82,000 seats.

Despite its huge price tag, the stadium has often been criticised for looking surprisingly plain compared with newer NFL venues. Fans have also raised concerns over artificial turf and ticket pricing.

What the money did buy was scale, bringing in enormous hospitality areas, dual-team infrastructure and a giant LED lighting system wrapped around the exterior.

3. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – $1.6 billion (£1.2bn)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium became one of the defining stadiums of modern American sport after opening with its spectacular retractable ‘oculus' roof.

The venue also features a massive 360-degree halo video board and was one of the first major sports stadiums to achieve LEED Platinum environmental certification.

Construction delays and mechanical problems with the roof pushed costs higher, while public funding contributions also drew criticism.

4. AT&T Stadium, Dallas – $1.3 billion (£970m)

Nicknamed ‘JerryWorld', AT&T Stadium helped redefine the luxury stadium experience in the NFL.

Built through a mixture of public and private funding, the stadium introduced giant concourses, retractable roofing and one of the world’s largest HD video boards.

Critics argued the project relied too heavily on taxpayer money while prioritising premium seating and corporate hospitality over ordinary supporters.

5. Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area – $1.3 billion (£970m)

Levi's Stadium focused heavily on technology and sustainability when it opened in California.

Solar power systems, app-driven services and modern hospitality areas helped position it as one of the NFL’s most advanced venues.

However, lawsuits over personal seat licences and complaints about extreme heat inside the stadium bowl damaged its reputation among some fans.

6. NRG Stadium, Houston – $720 million (£540m)

When NRG Stadium opened in 2002, it became the NFL’s first retractable-roof stadium.

Although newer venues have since overtaken it, Houston has spent heavily modernising fan areas and hospitality facilities ahead of the World Cup.

Questions over public funding and ageing infrastructure have followed the venue for years.

7. Gillette Stadium, Boston – $540 million (£405m)

Gillette Stadium originally cost around $540 million, but hundreds of millions more have since been spent on upgrades and renovations.

The stadium now includes one of the largest video boards in the NFL alongside new fan plazas and its towering lighthouse feature.

Transport access remains a major concern ahead of the World Cup, particularly on busy matchdays.

8. BC Place, Vancouver – $514 million renovation (£385m)

BC Place underwent a major publicly funded redevelopment centred around its retractable roof.

The renovation modernised the stadium interior and improved seating and concourses, although critics questioned whether taxpayers should have covered such a large bill.

9. Estadio Akron, Guadalajara – $200 million (£150m)

Estadio Akron became one of Mexico’s most distinctive modern stadiums thanks to its grass-covered exterior and sleek bowl design.

Built with private funding, the venue was criticised for transport issues and its location outside central Guadalajara, but it remains one of the country’s most visually striking football grounds.

10. Estadio BBVA, Monterrey – $200 million (£150m)

Framed by dramatic mountain views, Estadio BBVA quickly earned a reputation as one of the best stadiums in Latin America.

The venue’s acoustics, hospitality areas and modern design impressed supporters, although environmental concerns during construction and high ticket prices sparked debate locally.

2026 World Cup will show how football stadiums have evolved

The 2026 World Cup will highlight just how far modern stadium design has evolved.

From the record‑breaking $5.5 billion SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to Mexico’s newly modernised football arenas, the tournament will be played in some of the most technologically advanced venues ever used in international sport.

For organisers and owners, these huge investments delivered retractable roofs, giant 360‑degree screens, immersive fan zones and full entertainment districts designed to keep supporters engaged long before kick‑off.

Many of the host venues have also undergone major upgrades specifically for 2026, adding new hospitality areas, improved accessibility and enhanced matchday infrastructure.

Whether every project truly justified its price tag is still up for debate, but what’s certain is that the 2026 World Cup will be staged in some of the most spectacular and expensive sporting arenas ever constructed, setting a new benchmark for future tournaments.