Best 2026 Soccer Host Cities for a Road Trip
- Campspotter
Most people planning their trips for the 2026 World Soccer tournament are thinking about one city…with plans to fly in, hotel, and fly home. But with the tournament spanning 11 U.S. host cities, you’ve got the chance to do something way more memorable: a road trip for the ages.
Below are three road trip itineraries—the Texas heartland, the West Coast, and the East Coast—with natural host city pairings, sightseeing stops, and campground picks around every stadium.
Why RV and Campground Travel Is Built for This Tournament
Hotels lock you in (at soaring prices of $450+/night, at that). Campgrounds give you the flexibility to book last-minute stays, for way cheaper. That matters when your plans are tied to a bracket.
Plus, RVing/camping and road trips always just go hand in hand.
- Cost: Average campsite rates near host cities run $16 to $58/night vs. $435 to $540/night for hotels.
- Space: An RV sleeps a group, splits costs, and brings the kitchen and the hangout space with you.
- The vibe: Tailgating, campfires, swapping match predictions with fans from other countries at the next site over…you just can’t get that in a hotel hallway.
Don’t own an RV? RVshare has you covered. It’s the largest RV rental marketplace in the country, with delivery options that mean the RV is set up at your campsite before you arrive. No driving required.
The Best Host City Road Trip Routes for Soccer Summer 2026
🚗 Route 1: The Texas Two-Step
Houston → Dallas → Kansas City
~560 miles | Best for: budget travelers, BBQ enthusiasts, heartland soccer energy
Why This Route Works
Three host cities, one connected drive, and the most affordable camping of any market cluster in the tournament.
Kansas City is a sleeper pick; it’s the only host city with four national team training base camps (Argentina, England, the Netherlands, and Algeria), so the soccer energy goes well beyond match days.
Drive It
- Houston → Dallas: ~240 miles, about 4 hours on I-45
- Dallas → Kansas City: ~480 miles, about 7 hours on I-35N
Road Trip Stops Along the Way
Between Houston and Dallas (~4 hrs)
Skip the straight shot and make it a Texas sampler.
- Austin is the obvious detour: 6th Street live music, legendary breakfast tacos, and a float on the Guadalupe River if you time it right.
- Or head west to San Antonio for the River Walk and a visit to the Alamo, the most-photographed site in Texas for good reason.
Dallas Off-Days
- AT&T Stadium tours are genuinely worth it even for non-football fans (the thing is basically a museum).
- For something with more Texas grit, the Fort Worth Stockyards (cattle drives, honky-tonks, and the world’s only twice-daily longhorn drive down Exchange Avenue) are 30 minutes west and exactly as good as they sound.
🏕️ Where to Camp in Houston: Lakeview RV Resort
Lakeview RV Resort
Experience the luxury of Lakeview RV Resort. Bringing you first-rate amenities and attractions in the heart Houston, Texas. Spend your day at the stocked fishing lake, the sparkling swimming pool, relaxing jacuzzi, business center, professional-grade laundry facilities, fitness center, and more. If you enjoy exploring be sure to check out the local attractions like the NRG Stadium, Hermann Par
- Waterfront
- Pool
- Fishing
- Hot Tub / Sauna
- Dog Park
- Golf Cart Rental
- Ice Cream
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Internet Access
- General Store
- Snack Stand
- Garbage
- Laundry
- Pavilion
🏕️ Where to Camp in Dallas: Treetops
Treetops
Nestled in the shade of 2,000 oak trees, Treetops RV Community is located just minutes from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our family-friendly RV community offers more than 174 spacious RV sites with full hookups and concrete patios and premium sites. When the weather is warm, enjoy taking a refreshing dip in the pool. Treetops RV Community also offers bathhouses and an air conditioned laundry
- Pool
- Dog Park
- Cable TV
- Sports Field
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Internet Access
- Garbage
- Laundry
- Special Events
En Route to Kansas City (~7 hrs from Dallas)
This is open-road Texas and Oklahoma.
- The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Oklahoma is a surreal detour: bison roaming free, granite peaks, and zero crowds.
- From there, the Flint Hills Scenic Byway in Kansas is one of the last remaining stretches of tallgrass prairie in North America, and it’s genuinely breathtaking if you’ve never driven through it.
Kansas City Off-Days
KC gets undersold as a tourist destination and that’s a mistake.
- The National WWI Museum is legitimately one of the best museums in the country.
- The River Market district is the spot for a morning wander.
- The barbecue (Joe’s KC, Q39, Arthur Bryant’s) deserves at least one full afternoon of dedicated research.
🏕️ Where to Camp in Kansas City: LakeView Acres – Freeman
LakeView Acres - Freeman
LakeView Acres in Freeman, Missouri, offers a private and peaceful boutique camping experience with only five spacious RV sites set on 32 acres of natural beauty. Guests can enjoy a 10-acre private lake perfect for swimming and fishing, complete with a sand beach and waterfront shelter, while a scenic river along the southeast perimeter invites exploration along wooded trails. A quiet 3-acre pond
New to Campspot!- Beach
- Waterfront
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Internet Access
- Garbage
- Pavilion
🚗 Route 2: The West Coast Run
Seattle → San Francisco Bay Area → Los Angeles
~1,200 miles | Best for: scenery seekers, outdoor enthusiasts, flexible itineraries
Why This Route Works
Seattle to LA via the Pacific Coast is one of the great American road trips under any circumstances. Pair it with tournament stops at three world-class stadiums, and you’ve got the trip of the summer.
Drive It
- Seattle → San Francisco Bay Area: ~800 miles via I-5; plan 2 to 3 days to do it right
- San Francisco Bay Area → Los Angeles: ~380 miles; take Highway 1 through Big Sur if you have an extra day to spare
Road Trip Stops Along the Way
Leaving Seattle
- Don’t rush south. Mount Rainier National Park is 90 minutes from the city, with glaciers, wildflower meadows, and a 14,000-foot volcano you can see from Seattle on a clear day.
🏕️ Where to Camp in Seattle: Vasa Park Resort
Vasa Park Resort
Beautiful lake views and relaxing waterfront camping await you at Vasa Park Resort in Bellevue, WA. Enjoy swimming, boating, and playing by the water during your trip. This historic destination offers a peaceful retreat right on the shores of Lake Sammamish and just minutes from downtown Seattle. You'll love spending your days outside while enjoying the welcoming community atmosphere and rich Swe
- Canoeing / Kayaking
- Beach
- Waterfront
- Hiking
- Boat Launch
- Paddle Boat
- Playground
- Showers
- Internet Access
- Dump Station
- Snack Stand
- Garbage
- Laundry
- Pavilion
Through Oregon
- Inland: Crater Lake National Park—the deepest lake in the U.S., an impossibly vivid shade of blue, and one of those places that genuinely looks like a screensaver.
- Coastal: Hug the Oregon coast through Cannon Beach (Haystack Rock is iconic for a reason) and down through the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area—40 miles of sand dunes along the Pacific that feel like a different planet.
Northern California
- The Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile stretch of Highway 254 through old-growth coastal redwoods, is not to be missed.
- Then drop down through wine country into the Bay Area.
San Francisco Bay Area Off-Days
- The Bay Area is a full destination on its own: Alcatraz, the Ferry Building Marketplace, and a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge are the classics.
- For something more outdoors, Point Reyes National Seashore (1 hour north) offers dramatic coastal cliffs, elk herds, and hiking trails with Pacific views that are hard to beat.
🏕️ Where to Camp near SF Bay Area: Redwood RV Resort Park & Campground
Redwood Resort RV Park and Campground
Redwood Resort RV park and Campground is located in Boulder Creek, California, in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Camp under towering redwood trees. This small RV park and campground has a combination of tent sites and RV sites to fit everyone's needs. Enjoy the swimming pool, recreation area, ping pong, badminton and other games for entertainment. A ten minute walk to the historic town of Boulder Creek
- Pool
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Internet Access
- Dump Station
- Garbage
Big Sur and the LA Leg
If you have a flexible day, Highway 1 between San Francisco and LA is non-negotiable.
- Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach (purple sand, sea stacks), and McWay Falls (an 80-foot waterfall that drops directly onto a beach) are all within a few miles of each other.
Los Angeles Off-Days
- Santa Monica Pier for the quintessential LA beach afternoon.
- Griffith Observatory for skyline views without the Hollywood Walk of Fame crowds.
- If you’ve got a full spare day, Joshua Tree National Park is 2 hours east. Boulder landscapes, otherworldly sunsets, and some of the best stargazing in Southern California.
🏕️ Where to Camp in Los Angeles: Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground
Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground
Located just 45 minutes east of Los Angeles, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Bonelli Bluffs offers a peaceful reprieve from city life, enjoy nature, relax, and explore the nearby attractions in San Dimas, California. Moreover, you don't even need to leave the campgrounds to have a good time. Amenities include a beach-front park, two sparkling pools, outdoor fire pits, and activities galo
'26- Pool
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Playground
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Internet Access
- General Store
- Laundry
🚗 Route 3: The East Coast Express
Boston → New York/New Jersey → Philadelphia → Atlanta → Miami
~1,500 miles | Best for: bracket-chasers, city lovers, fans going all the way to the Final
Why This Route Works
If you’re following the tournament deep into the knockout rounds, this is your route. The Final is at MetLife Stadium on July 19, and this road trip puts you in position for everything from the Round of 16 onward. Five cities, all connected, with some of the most culturally rich stops in the country in between.
Drive It
- Boston → New York/New Jersey: ~220 miles, about 4 hours
- New York/New Jersey → Philadelphia: ~100 miles, about 2 hours
- Philadelphia → Atlanta: ~900 miles; plan an overnight stop
- Atlanta → Miami: ~660 miles, about 9 hours (or break it up along the Florida coast)
Road Trip Stops Along the Way
Boston Off-Days
- Walk the Freedom Trail—2.5 miles of American history through the city, ending at Bunker Hill.
- Day trip to Cape Cod for beaches and seafood shacks, or push further to Acadia National Park in Maine (~4 hours north) for some of the best coastal scenery on the East Coast.
🏕️ Where to Camp in Boston: Circle CG
Circle CG
The Circle CG in Bellingham, Massachusetts, offers year-round camping with full hookup sites, including internet access, for a comfortable and convenient stay. Located just a short 10-minute drive from a train station with direct access to Boston, the campground provides the perfect balance of peaceful camping and easy city exploration. Whether you're looking to relax in the serene surroundings or
- Pool
- Cable TV
- Arcade
- Mini-Golf
- Arts & Crafts
- Playground
- Basketball
- Live Music
- Showers
- Internet Access
- General Store
- Laundry
- Pavilion
New York / New Jersey Off-Days
- Manhattan needs no introduction, but a few specifics: the High Line for a late afternoon walk, a proper corner pizza slice for dinner, and Citi Field or Yankee Stadium if the Mets or Yankees are home. Summer baseball and Soccer Summer is a genuinely great combo.
- On the Jersey side, Sandy Hook beaches within Gateway National Recreation Area are 40 minutes from MetLife…a perfect game-eve unwind.
🏕️ Where to Camp near NY/NJ: Black Bear RV Park
Black Bear RV Park
Welcome to Black Bear RV Park, your year-round retreat in the heart of Florida, New York. Nestled amid picturesque landscapes, our campground welcomes RV enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With full-service RV hookups, spacious sites and a pet-friendly environment, Black Bear offers a peaceful escape for all seasons, from fall foliage to winter wonderland. Explore nearby attractions, partake i
- Hiking
- Playground
Philadelphia Off-Days
- The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are right next to each other. Then go directly to Reading Terminal Market for lunch.
- For something outdoors, Valley Forge National Historical Park is 20 miles west—an underrated half-day escape from the city.
🏕️ Where to Camp in Philadelphia: Sun Retreats Hospitality Creek
Sun Retreats Hospitality Creek
Our Best Vacation Awaits Just a Short Distance from Philadelphia and Atlantic City! Visit a place where family fun is the main attraction and memories are waiting to be made. Sun Retreats Hospitality Creek, NJ is an award-winning New Jersey campground; located a short distance away from Atlantic City, it's not just a campground. Nestled in the southern end of the Garden State, our location is a t
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- Canoeing / Kayaking
- Beach
- Waterfront
- Pool
- Fishing
- Bike Rental
- Cable TV
- Arcade
- Paddle Boat
- Golf Cart Rental
- Arts & Crafts
- Playground
- Basketball
- Sports Field
- Volleyball
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Internet Access
- General Store
- Dump Station
- Snack Stand
- Garbage
- Laundry
- Special Events
Philadelphia → Atlanta: The Long Drive
This leg benefits from a split.
- Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is worth the detour off I-95. The Skyline Drive runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is one of the most scenic roads in the eastern US.
- Alternatively, cut through Charlotte, NC for a night: a great city that most people only ever pass through.
Atlanta Off-Days
- The Georgia Aquarium is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and legitimately worth a few hours.
- Stone Mountain Park is right next to your campsite. Convenient and surprisingly scenic.
- For a bigger escape, the Blue Ridge Mountains are 90 minutes north. Amicalola Falls State Park (home to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail) is 1.5 hours and one of the most beautiful spots in Georgia.
🏕️ Where to Camp in Atlanta: Stone Mountain Campground
Stone Mountain Campground
Nestled among 3200 acres of natural beauty just outside of Atlanta, Stone Mountain Campground features over 400 RV, Pop-up, and Tent sites as well as Yurt, Safari Tent, and RV Rentals. Guaranteeing you'll find the perfect spot for your getaway. Inside the park you’ll find a variety of recreational activities and family-friendly attractions and events available seasonally. Your next adventure awa
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- Waterfront
- Pool
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Dump Station
- Laundry
- Pavilion
Atlanta → Miami: The Florida Stretch
Don’t blast straight down I-75.
- Detour to the coast and drive A1A through St. Augustine, the oldest European settlement in the US and genuinely charming.
- Make a stop at Everglades National Park or Biscayne National Park before arriving in South Florida — one of those experiences that puts the whole trip in perspective.
Miami Off-Days
- Beach in the morning (South Beach or the quieter Virginia Key Beach Park), soccer at night.
- Little Havana for Cuban coffee and a walk down Calle Ocho. Wynwood Walls for an afternoon of street art and great food.
🏕️ Where to Camp in Miami: Key Largo Kampground
Key Largo Kampground
Located in the first key of the Fabulous Florida Keys, Key Largo Kampground sprawls across 40 acres along the Atlantic Ocean, situated in a tranquil cove just off the main South Creek channel. Offering a spacious marina boasting 14 wet slips for convenient boat docking, guests are welcomed to choose from a variety of accommodations: - RV sites: Featuring full hookup options with 30/50/20-amp elec
- Beach
- Waterfront
- Pool
- Boat Launch
- Cable TV
- Playground
- Ice Cream
- Volleyball
- Shuffleboard
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Internet Access
- Dump Station
- Snack Stand
- Laundry
3 Pro Tips for Planning Your Soccer Summer Road Trip
1. Use your campsite as a pre-game basecamp
One of the biggest upgrades RV travel offers over a hotel is the ability to actually host. Tailgate from your own site before the game, invite the fans from the next pitch over, grill something worth eating. The campground becomes part of the experience.
2. Rent an RV
Like we mentioned, you can totally rent an RV as needed for your road trip. Check out RVshare’s tournament travel hub to rent an RV near the host city of your choice.
3. Pack for flexibility, not just the match
Leave room in your itinerary (and your cooler) for the spontaneous detour. The state park you didn’t plan for, the local BBQ spot someone recommended at the last campsite, the extra night somewhere too good to leave. The tournament gives you the structure. The road gives you the rest.
Ready to Plan Your Route?
World Tournament 2026 is, by its very geography, a road trip. Campgrounds near every host city are still wide open, prices are a fraction of what hotels are charging, and with the right setup—tent, cabin, or RV—the whole trip can flex with you as the bracket develops.
Browse campgrounds near every 2026 soccer host city →
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Image Credit: Adobe Stock users Jonathan, andreykr, Taras Vyshnya, Francois, Matt, jonbilous