World Cup 2026 Accessibility Guide
Every fan deserves a front-row experience. Here is what to expect at every host stadium, how to book companion tickets, and how to move around each host city.
Know Before You Go
You have waited years for this tournament, and your disability should not stop you from being in the stands when the whistle blows. This is the most complete World Cup 2026 accessibility guide online, covering all 16 host stadiums across 11 US cities, 2 Canadian cities and 3 Mexican cities. Every single venue must meet FIFA's enhanced accessibility standards on top of national disability law, and every accessible ticket includes one free companion seat so your support person sits right beside you at no extra cost.
Accessible seating makes up roughly 1 to 2 percent of total capacity at each venue, so book early. Vancouver's SkyTrain is the most accessible transit system at the tournament, with fully step-free level boarding at every station and elevators at every stop. Text 911 works in all three host countries, meaning you can reach emergency services by SMS if you cannot make a voice call. Over 80% of US host stadiums already have dedicated sensory rooms for fans with autism or PTSD. Under the Montreal Convention, airlines are liable for up to approximately USD 1,800 if they damage your mobility equipment in transit.
This guide covers everything from booking your accessible ticket on FIFA.com to finding an accessible hotel room, knowing your legal rights in each country, flying with medical equipment, and downloading the apps that will make your trip smoother.
One thing most fans do not know
Your companion ticket is free at all 16 stadiums. Tournament organisers require venues to include one companion seat with every accessible ticket at no extra cost. You and your companion sit side by side. Book through the official ticketing portal and select Accessible Seating.
JUMP TO A SECTION
Stadium Accessibility Checker
Pick your match city and get a personalised accessibility card for that stadium, covering transport, features, and match-day tips.
Select a stadium above to see its full accessibility profile
What to Expect by Ability
Wheelchair Users
- Wheelchair platforms at every venue have unobstructed forward sightlines, not side-on views
- Companion seats are directly beside you, not in a separate row
- Accessible restrooms on every concourse level at all 16 stadiums
- Arrive 30 minutes before gates open to use the dedicated accessible entry lanes
- Electric wheelchair users: contact your specific venue 4 weeks ahead to confirm power outlet locations and aisle widths
Visual Impairment
- Audio description headsets are available at most US and Canadian venues, request at guest services on arrival
- Sighted guide escort through the stadium can be pre-arranged by contacting the venue accessibility team at least 2 weeks before your match
- BlindSquare (offline navigation app) covers all 16 host city transit networks
- All stadium apps at US venues support VoiceOver (iPhone) and TalkBack (Android)
- Service animals are welcome at all 16 stadiums with no additional registration needed in the USA or Canada
Hearing Impairment
- Assistive listening devices and induction loop systems at every venue, collect from guest services
- Captions displayed on concourse screens at most US and Canadian host stadiums
- ASL interpretation is available for official pre-match ceremonies at several US venues if requested 4 weeks in advance
- Vibrating wristbands synced to match events are available at select US stadiums, ask at guest services
- Text 911 is supported in all three host countries so you can reach emergency services by SMS
Sensory and Cognitive Needs
- Sensory rooms with reduced lighting and a live match TV feed are available at most US host stadiums
- Noise-canceling headphones and ear defenders can be borrowed at many venues, ask at guest services
- Pre-match stadium walk-throughs for fans with autism or anxiety are available at some US venues, contact the venue accessibility team several weeks ahead
- Visual schedules of the match-day experience are available on request at several stadiums
- Quiet zones separate from the main concourse are available at Toronto Stadium (Toronto) and several US venues
Accessibility by Country
United States
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Disability Rights
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires public accommodations, transport, and venues to be accessible to people with disabilities. This applies to stadiums, hotels, restaurants, and all public transit. Service animals are permitted in all public spaces.
Stadium Features
Dedicated wheelchair platforms with companion seating and excellent sightlines. Sensory rooms for guests with autism or sensory processing needs. Accessible restrooms on every concourse level. Assistive listening devices available at guest services.
Accessible Transport
All public transit must be ADA-compliant. Buses have ramps or lifts, metro systems have elevators (some older stations limited). Uber and Lyft offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAV). Paratransit services available by pre-booking.
Tip: Book accessible tickets early through the official ticketing portal as wheelchair-accessible seating is limited. Contact venues in advance for specific accessibility needs.
Canada
Accessible Canada Act & AODA
Disability Rights
Federal and provincial legislation covers accessibility standards. Ontario's AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) covers Toronto specifically with requirements for accessible customer service, information, transport, and built environments.
TTC & SkyTrain
Toronto's TTC has accessible buses and most subway stations have elevators. Vancouver's SkyTrain is fully accessible with elevators at every station and level boarding on all trains.
Wheel-Trans
Wheel-Trans provides door-to-door accessible transit for registered users in Toronto. Pre-registration is required, so plan ahead if you'll need this service during the tournament.
Tip:Canada's accessibility standards are among the best in the world. Most major attractions, hotels, and restaurants in Toronto and Vancouver are fully accessible.
Mexico
General Law for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
Disability Rights
Mexico has federal disability rights legislation, and accessibility improvements are ongoing in major cities. Tournament venues will meet international accessibility standards regardless of local requirements.
Metro & Metrobus
Mexico City's Metro has elevators at some stations, and the Metrobus BRT system is generally accessible. Uber offers some accessible vehicle options in major cities.
Sidewalk Challenges
Accessibility in Mexican cities is improving but can be inconsistent. Sidewalks in older neighborhoods may be uneven or lack curb cuts. Planning ahead and contacting venues in advance is recommended.
Altitude note: Mexico City sits at 2,240m (7,350ft). If you have a respiratory or cardiac condition, plan to arrive two days early to acclimatise. Guadalajara and Monterrey are at lower altitudes and the effect is far milder.
Tip: Contact venues and hotels in advance to confirm accessibility features. World Cup stadiums in Mexico will meet international standards, but surrounding infrastructure may vary.
All 16 host stadiums meet enhanced accessibility standards for 2026
Dedicated wheelchair bays, companion seating, audio description, and step-free routes at every venue
Accessibility at Every Stadium
Features confirmed or expected based on each stadium's existing accessibility programme and the tournament's 2026 requirements
Dallas Stadium
🇺🇸Dallas, TX
Dallas, TX
New York New Jersey Stadium
🇺🇸East Rutherford, NJ
East Rutherford, NJ
Los Angeles Stadium
🇺🇸Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
🇺🇸Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara, CA
Miami Stadium
🇺🇸Miami, FL
Miami, FL
Kansas City Stadium
🇺🇸Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, MO
Philadelphia Stadium
🇺🇸Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Boston Stadium
🇺🇸Foxborough, MA
Foxborough, MA
Atlanta Stadium
🇺🇸Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, GA
Houston Stadium
🇺🇸Houston, TX
Houston, TX
Seattle Stadium
🇺🇸Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA
Toronto Stadium
🇨🇦Toronto, ON
Toronto, ON
BC Place Vancouver
🇨🇦Vancouver, BC
Vancouver, BC
Estadio Azteca Mexico City
🇲🇽Mexico City
Mexico City
Estadio Monterrey
🇲🇽Monterrey
Monterrey
Estadio Guadalajara
🇲🇽Guadalajara
Guadalajara
Accessible Transport
United States (11 host cities)
Uber and Lyft WAV: Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles are available in all major US host cities. Select WAV inside the app before booking. Availability varies by city and time of day, so book early on match days.
New York: All MTA buses are accessible. Subway accessibility varies by station, check the MTA accessibility map before travel and look for the blue wheelchair symbol on the station map.
Seattle: Sound Transit Link Light Rail runs directly to Seattle Stadium with level boarding at all stations.
Los Angeles: Metro Rail lines are accessible but some elevator outages occur. Check the LA Metro accessibility page for real-time elevator status before you leave.
Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami: Car-first cities. Uber WAV or a pre-booked accessible transfer is the most reliable option for wheelchair users.
Canada (Toronto and Vancouver)
Vancouver SkyTrain: The most accessible transit system at the entire tournament. Every station is fully step-free with level boarding on all trains. BC Place Vancouver sits directly on the Canada Line.
Toronto TTC: All buses and streetcars are accessible. Not all subway stations have elevators, so check the TTC accessibility map before travel. Toronto Stadium is a short accessible bus ride from Union Station.
Wheel-Trans (Toronto): Door-to-door accessible transit for registered users. Pre-registration is required. If you plan to use it during the tournament, register at TTC Wheel-Trans several weeks before you arrive.
Mexico (Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara)
Uber: The most reliable option for wheelchair users in all three Mexican host cities. Select UberX or UberXL for more space. Accessible vehicle categories exist in Mexico City.
Mexico City Metrobus: The BRT system is more accessible than the Metro with low-floor vehicles and dedicated boarding areas. Prefer it over the Metro for short distances.
Mexico City Metro: Has elevators at a number of stations but not all. Older stations in the city centre have limited accessibility. Plan your route using Google Maps accessibility filter.
Sidewalks: Older city centre areas in all three Mexican cities have uneven surfaces and inconsistent curb cuts. Factor in extra time when walking between locations.
Book your accessible seat and your companion travels free
Select the accessibility category at checkout on the official ticketing site to guarantee adjacent companion seats
Booking Your Accessible Seat
Go to the official ticketing portal
All accessible tickets are sold through the official ticketing portal . Do not book through third-party resellers as accessible seating categories may not transfer correctly.
Select Accessible Seating during checkout
Accessible seating categories include wheelchair platforms, companion seats, and easy-access areas. One companion seat is included at no extra cost with every accessible ticket.
Book as early as possible
Accessible seating is roughly 1 to 2 percent of total capacity at each venue. These seats sell out quickly once the general sale opens. You do not need to prove a disability to book but may be asked to confirm at the gate.
Contact the Accessibility Team for complex needs
For group bookings, multi-match accessible planning, specific queries about ramp widths, power outlet locations for electric wheelchairs, or sensory room pre-booking, contact the Accessibility Team through the accessibility section of the official portal.
Contact your airline at least 48 hours before departure
If you are flying, notify your airline you will need assistance. Under US ACAA and Canadian regulations, airlines must provide boarding assistance and may be required to allow a manual wheelchair in the cabin if it fits. Battery regulations apply to powered chairs.
Service Animal Rules
USA
- Under the ADA, trained service animals are permitted in all public spaces including every stadium, hotel, and transport network
- Staff may only ask two questions: whether the animal is required due to a disability, and what task it is trained to perform
- No certification, ID, or vest is required
- Designated relief areas must be provided at ADA-compliant venues
Canada
- The Canadian Human Rights Act and provincial legislation protect the right to enter all public spaces with a trained service animal
- Ontario and British Columbia (the two host provinces) have strong service animal protections with no breed restrictions
- No certification is required but a letter from a medical professional can help at borders and airports
- Relief areas are available at both Toronto Stadium and BC Place Vancouver
Mexico
- Mexican federal law protects the right to enter public spaces with a trained service animal
- Awareness and enforcement can be inconsistent compared to the USA and Canada
- Contact your specific stadium and hotel in advance to confirm service animal admission
- Carry documentation from a medical professional or recognised training organisation in case it is requested
Traveling with Medication and Equipment
Most guides skip this. Here is exactly what you need to know before you pack.
Electric Wheelchairs on Planes
Your wheelchair travels in the cargo hold. The battery travels with you in the cabin. Lithium-ion batteries under 300Wh are allowed as carry-on. Tell your airline at least 48 hours before you fly and ask them how they will pack the chair. Most international carriers have a specialist mobility team. Request a manual backup chair at the gate in case yours is delayed.
Medication Through Customs
Keep all medication in its original pharmacy packaging with your name on the label. In the USA and Canada there is no strict quantity limit for personal use. For Mexico, bring a doctor's letter if you take any controlled substances. Customs at all three countries can ask to see medication but cannot confiscate it for personal-use quantities.
Syringes and Injections
Security cannot confiscate syringes you need medically. Carry a letter from your doctor on headed paper. Insulin pens and auto-injectors are fine in your carry-on. Liquid medications are exempt from the 100ml airport security rule if you declare them at the scanner. Keep insulin away from direct heat during outdoor queuing at Mexican venues in June and July.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators
Most airlines allow FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators in the cabin with 48 hours notice. Bring enough battery for 150% of your expected flight time. If you are flying to Mexico City, be aware the altitude of 2,240m means many respiratory patients need more supplemental oxygen than usual. Discuss the specific altitude with your doctor before you travel.
If the airline damages your wheelchair
Report damage before you leave the baggage hall. Under the Montreal Convention, airlines are liable for up to around USD 1,800 for damaged mobility equipment. Take photos immediately, file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airline desk, and follow up in writing within 7 days. US airlines are additionally governed by DOT rules requiring them to provide a loaner wheelchair within 24 hours.
Apps to Download Before You Go
Download and test all of these before you leave home. Roaming data in stadiums can be slow on match days.
Google Maps or Apple Maps
All disabilitiesBoth apps have accessibility filters for step-free routes, elevator locations, and accessible entrances. Download the offline map for each host city before you fly. The offline version works without mobile data.
BlindSquare
Visual impairmentWorks offline once downloaded. Gives detailed turn-by-turn navigation and nearby point-of-interest information using GPS. Particularly useful in complex stadium approach areas and unfamiliar transit stations.
Be My Eyes
Visual impairmentFree app that connects you to a sighted volunteer via a live video call to help read signs, explore menus, and move through unfamiliar areas. Works on Wi-Fi and mobile data across all three countries.
Aira
Visual impairmentPaid service connecting you to a trained visual interpreter. More in-depth support than Be My Eyes. Free to use inside many major US airports including JFK, LAX, SFO, and SEA, where Aira Access is available.
Roger On or Roger Pen app
Hearing impairmentPhonak's microphone system pairs with compatible hearing aids to improve speech intelligibility in loud environments. Stadium noise makes this particularly valuable at World Cup venues.
Text 911
Hearing and speech impairmentAll three host countries support texting 911 (or 9-1-1) for people who cannot make a voice call. Register your device for Text 911 with your carrier before travel. Save '911' as a contact on your phone so it is available quickly.
Booking an Accessible Hotel
Accessible rooms are 1 to 2 percent of most hotels. They sell out weeks before match days. Here is how to book right.
How to Search
On Booking.com, use the Facilities filter and tick “Facilities for disabled guests”. On Hotels.com search “accessible room” in the amenities filter. On Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt direct, select Accessible Room Type during checkout. Always call the hotel after booking to confirm the specific features of your room, since “accessible” means different things at different properties.
Questions to Ask
Ask: Does the accessible room have a roll-in shower or a tub with grab bars? Is the door wide enough for my chair (minimum 32 inches / 81cm)? Is the accessible room near the elevator? Is accessible parking available? In the USA, ADA rooms must meet specific federal standards. In Mexico and Canada, verify what “accessible” means at each property before you confirm.
Reliable Chains
Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt all have strong ADA compliance programs across their US properties. All major chains are legally required to provide accessible rooms in the USA under the ADA. In Canada, the same chains apply national standards. In Mexico, international hotel brands tend to offer more consistent accessibility than local operators, so stick to familiar names if accessible features matter to you.
Mexico City Tip
In Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, “accessible room” often means grab bars in the bathroom only. If you need a roll-in shower or a hoist, contact the hotel directly before you book and ask specifically. Staying in the Polanco or Santa Fe areas of Mexico City gives you the most reliable accessible hotel stock near the stadiums.
Book your hotel the same week you book your 2026 World Cup wheelchair access ticket
In host cities like New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, accessible hotel rooms within walking distance of the stadium will be gone within hours of match schedules being announced. Do not wait until tickets are sorted before thinking about where you will sleep.
Start planning 8 weeks out for the best accessible seats
Accessible bays at popular matches sell out fast. Early booking also gives you time to arrange airport assistance
Planning Timeline
Your step-by-step countdown to a smooth, accessible World Cup trip
8 weeks before: Book accessible tickets
Accessible seating sells out early. Go to tickets.fifa.com, select Accessible Seating, and complete the booking. Your companion seat is included at no extra cost.
6 weeks before: Contact venues for specific needs
If you need a sensory room pre-booked, a stadium walk-through, ASL interpretation, or want to confirm power outlet locations for an electric wheelchair, contact the venue accessibility team now.
4 weeks before: Sort your airline and transfers
Notify your airline you need assistance. Pre-book an accessible transfer if flying to Mexico. Register for Wheel-Trans in Toronto if you need it. Download offline maps for each host city.
1 week before: Download your apps
Download BlindSquare, Be My Eyes, Google Maps (with offline areas), and your banking app. Test all of them on your home Wi-Fi so they work from the moment you land.
Day before: Prepare your documents
Keep accessibility documentation, prescriptions, and medical letters in your carry-on. Bring a copy of any service animal certification if traveling to Mexico. Save 911 and the tournament accessibility helpline number in your phone.
Match day: Arrive 30 minutes early
Use the dedicated accessible entry lanes to avoid queueing at standard turnstiles. Collect any assistive listening devices or sensory kits from guest services as soon as you arrive. Identify the nearest accessible restroom and quiet area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
Continue planning your World Cup trip
Health and Medical
Hospitals near every stadium, travel insurance advice, and what to pack in your medical kit.
Read Guide →
Transport Between Cities
Flights, trains, and buses connecting all 16 host cities, with accessible travel options.
Read Guide →
Family Travel
Traveling with kids, stroller access, family facilities, and age-friendly venue tips.
Read Guide →