What Matches Are at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in the 2026 World Cup? Full Santa Clara Schedule

Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara — officially operating as San Francisco Bay Area Stadium during the FIFA World Cup 2026 — still has four major tournament nights ahead after June 16: Türkiye vs. Paraguay on Friday, June 19, Jordan vs. Algeria on Monday, June 22, Australia vs. Paraguay on Thursday, June 25, and a Round of 32 knockout match on Wednesday, July 1. The venue is hosting six World Cup matches in total, five in the group stage and one knockout fixture, but the real Bay Area surge begins now: late kickoffs, international fan crowds, pressure on hotels and rideshares, and a growing network of watch parties, sports bars and public fan zones across Santa Clara, San Jose and San Francisco, the SFNews editorial team reports.

For fans planning the remaining matchdays, the schedule is practical and intense at once: June 19 brings a 9 p.m. PT Group D clash between Türkiye and Paraguay; June 22 follows with Jordan vs. Algeria at 8 p.m. PT in Group J; June 25 closes Santa Clara’s group-stage run with Australia vs. Paraguay at 7 p.m. PT; and July 1 turns the stadium into a knockout venue for Match 81, listed as 1D vs. 3BEFIJ. Because most remaining games are evening kickoffs, the smartest plan is to choose the whole night in advance: stadium entry and transit, a hotel watch party near Levi’s Stadium, or a sports bar/Fan Zone in San Francisco or Silicon Valley. Bars around the Bay Area should expect heavy demand before and after the matches, especially on June 19 and July 1, so fans should book tables where possible, arrive early, and avoid treating food, drinks or transport as last-minute details.

The Complete Bay Area Match List at a Glance

The United States is shouldering the bulk of this expanded 48-team World Cup, hosting 78 of the 104 total matches across 11 venues. The Bay Area’s slice is six games, all played at the Santa Clara venue 40 miles south of downtown San Francisco. Here is the confirmed slate:

Five group games and one knockout. The teams cycling through Santa Clara across those eighteen days are Qatar, Switzerland, Austria, Jordan, Türkiye, Paraguay, Algeria and Australia — a genuinely international mix spanning Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, South America and Oceania.

Match 1 — Qatar vs Switzerland (Saturday, June 13, 12:00 PM PT)

The Bay Area’s tournament opens at noon on a Saturday, the only daytime kickoff of the six, and it is a Group B fixture pitting Qatar against Switzerland. This is the gentlest entry point on the calendar for casual fans: a weekend, midday start, daylight in the stands and a manageable exit before the evening.

Switzerland arrive as the heavier name on paper — a fixture at recent World Cups and European Championships, technically disciplined and tournament-tested. Qatar, the 2022 hosts, bring a side that has invested heavily in its footballing infrastructure over the past decade. For Bay Area locals, the noon start is the friendliest of the bunch for families and first-time stadium visitors, since it sidesteps the late-night transit crunch that follows the prime-time games.

Why the Noon Kickoff Matters for Planning

A 12:00 PM start in mid-June means heat. Santa Clara summers regularly push into the high 80s and low 90s Fahrenheit, and Levi’s Stadium is notorious among 49ers fans for its sun-exposed seating on the east side. Sunscreen, hydration and seat selection are not afterthoughts here — they are the difference between enjoying the match and enduring it. Arrive early; gates and transit fill fast for an opener.

Match 2 — Austria vs Jordan (Tuesday, June 16, 9:00 PM PT)

The first of the prime-time games, and the latest kickoff on the Bay Area calendar at 9:00 PM, is a Group J meeting between Austria and Jordan. This is a weeknight fixture, which changes the planning calculus considerably — you are looking at a finish near or after 11:00 PM, with transit and parking egress stretching past midnight.

Austria represent a solid European outfit with a strong qualifying pedigree, while Jordan’s appearance reflects the broadening reach of the expanded 48-team format that has handed more nations a genuine route to the finals. For neutrals, this is a fascinating stylistic contrast and a chance to see a side many American fans will be watching for the first time.

Handling a Late Weeknight Finish

A Tuesday 9:00 PM kickoff is the toughest logistical match of the six. If you are commuting, plan your return route before kickoff, not after. VTA light rail from the Convention Center Station on the Blue Line serves the stadium, and the Bay Area Host Committee has published transit maps; the trip can run one to two hours each way. Factor that in before committing to a school-night or work-night game.

Match 3 — Türkiye vs Paraguay (Friday, June 19, 8:00 PM PT)

A Friday-night Group D clash brings Türkiye against Paraguay at 8:00 PM — arguably the most atmospheric ticket of the group stage. Friday night, two passionate fan bases, and a marquee European-vs-South American storyline make this the one that local sports bars and fan zones will lean into hardest.

Türkiye carry one of the most vocal traveling supports in world football, and Paraguay’s South American grit promises a combative, physical encounter. Group D is also the group that feeds directly into the Bay Area’s own Round of 32 knockout on July 1, so results here carry extra weight for anyone holding a ticket to that final Santa Clara fixture.

The Friday-Night Advantage

Of all six matches, this is the one to prioritize if you want maximum atmosphere with minimum next-day consequence. No work the following morning for most, a packed house, and two fan cultures that travel well. Expect the surrounding Santa Clara and San José nightlife to be at full tilt.

Match 4 — Jordan vs Algeria (Monday, June 22, 8:00 PM PT)

Group J returns to Santa Clara for a Monday-night meeting between Jordan and Algeria at 8:00 PM. Jordan’s second Bay Area appearance pairs them against an Algerian side with genuine pedigree and one of the most expressive supporter bases in the North African game.

Algeria’s footballing identity — quick, technical, emotionally charged — should make for a lively spectacle, and for the substantial North African and Middle Eastern communities across the Bay Area, this is a hometown-flavored fixture. The Monday slot is a weeknight, so the same late-finish planning from the June 16 game applies.

A Fixture With Local Resonance

The Bay Area’s diversity is one of the reasons FIFA’s regional approach has landed so well here. Matches involving Jordan, Algeria, Qatar and Türkiye draw not just neutrals but diaspora communities turning out in force — expect flags, drums and a partisan edge that elevates these games well beyond their group-stage billing.

Match 5 — Paraguay vs Australia (Thursday, June 25, 7:00 PM PT)

The final group-stage match in Santa Clara is a Group D decider in spirit: Paraguay against Australia, Thursday at 7:00 PM — the earliest of the evening kickoffs. With Türkiye and Paraguay already having played here, this fixture could carry real qualification stakes heading into the knockout rounds.

Australia’s Socceroos bring a well-organized, athletic profile and a sizable expat following on the West Coast. Paraguay, playing their second Bay Area game, will be chasing the points that determine whether they top Group D — and potentially earn the right to return to Santa Clara for the July 1 knockout. The 7:00 PM start is the most civilized of the weeknight games, giving a finish closer to 9:00 PM.

The Group D Connection

Because the Round of 32 game on July 1 features the Group D winner, this Paraguay-Australia clash is effectively a preview. Fans holding July 1 tickets should watch this one closely — it shapes who they will see in the knockout.

Match 6 — Round of 32 Knockout (Wednesday, July 1, 5:00 PM PT)

The Bay Area’s only knockout match — and the first FIFA World Cup Round of 32 game ever staged in the region — kicks off at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, July 1. The pairing is the winner of Group D against a third-place qualifier, meaning the exact teams will not be confirmed until the group stage concludes.

This is the highest-stakes, win-or-go-home fixture Santa Clara will host. The expanded format introduced the Round of 32, with the top two from each of the 12 groups plus the eight best third-placed teams advancing. Given that Group D played twice in the Bay Area, there is a real possibility a familiar side returns to Levi’s Stadium for this elimination clash. The 5:00 PM weekday start splits the difference — late enough to draw an after-work crowd, early enough to avoid a midnight finish.

Why This One Sells Out First

Knockout football carries a different intensity than the group stage, and as the Bay Area’s lone elimination game it is the premium ticket of the six. Demand for this fixture will outstrip the group games, so anyone targeting July 1 should secure seats and accommodation early.

Stadium Essentials — What Every Ticket Holder Needs to Know

The venue at 4900 Marie P. DeBartolo Way in Santa Clara has hosted Bay Area events since 2014 and is the home of the San Francisco 49ers, but FIFA rules reshape the matchday experience in several ways.

The single most important rule is the bag policy: only clear bags are permitted. Anything non-transparent is barred, with one exception — a clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Approved clear bags must be no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Turning up with an opaque backpack is the fastest way to get turned away at the gate.

On transit, the VTA light rail Blue Line serves the stadium via the Convention Center Station in downtown San José, with a walk to and from Lick Mill Boulevard. The Host Committee estimates one to two hours each way, so build that into your plan, especially for the late weeknight games.

Beating the Heat and the Crowds

Mid-June and early-July afternoons in Santa Clara are hot, and Levi’s Stadium’s east-side seats bake in direct sun. For the noon Qatar-Switzerland opener and the 5:00 PM July 1 knockout in particular, sun protection and hydration are essential. Arrive early at every match — gates, security and transit all back up sharply in the final hour before kickoff.

Can’t Get a Ticket? Watch Parties Across the Bay

For those without seats, the region has built out a network of free viewing sites. Fans can watch matches at no cost from more than 30 locations plus participating sports bars across the Bay Area. Among the marquee spots are the Warriors and Valkyries’ Thrive City big screen at Chase Center in San Francisco, and China Basin at Mission Rock near the Giants’ ballpark. The Host Committee has positioned these as community celebrations, in keeping with the regional, inclusive framing it has emphasized throughout its planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many World Cup matches are at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium?
Six in total: five group-stage games and one Round of 32 knockout.

What is San Francisco Bay Area Stadium’s real name?
It is Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco 49ers, renamed for the tournament under FIFA’s clean-venue rules.

When is the first Bay Area match?
Saturday, June 13, at 12:00 PM PT — Qatar vs Switzerland, the only daytime kickoff.

When is the Bay Area knockout game?
Wednesday, July 1, at 5:00 PM PT — a Round of 32 fixture between the Group D winner and a third-place qualifier.

Which teams play in Santa Clara?
Qatar, Switzerland, Austria, Jordan, Türkiye, Paraguay, Algeria and Australia across the group stage, with Round of 32 participants confirmed after the groups conclude.

How do I get to the stadium by transit?
VTA Blue Line light rail from the Convention Center Station in downtown San José, walking to and from Lick Mill Boulevard, roughly one to two hours each way.

Where to Watch the Matches for Free: Top 3 Spots in San Francisco

For fans without stadium tickets — or anyone wanting the communal roar of a crowd — San Francisco is hosting one of the biggest free viewing networks of any host city. The Bay Area Host Committee has confirmed that from June 11, fans can watch World Cup 2026 matches at more than 30 free venues plus participating sports bars across the region, and San Francisco alone is running around 20 official viewing events on top of nearly 100 bar watch parties. The standout spots combine giant screens, food and drink, and waterfront or downtown energy, all free to attend on a first-come, first-served basis. Below are the three you should prioritize in the city, with what to expect, when, and where.

Thrive City at Chase Center (Splash Sports Bar)

The flagship San Francisco viewing destination, anchored at the Golden State Warriors and Valkyries’ Chase Center campus. The Host Committee runs official watch parties on the open-air Thrive City plaza big screen, and on-site is Splash — a 30,000-square-foot sports bar built around a 1,400-square-foot mega-screen, with soccer simulators, foosball and shuffleboard, plus pre- and post-game DJ sets. Entry to the plaza screenings is free; Splash runs free RSVP, first-come-first-served events, so arrive early on big match days. Fan marches also converge here from Crane Cove Park and Pier 48 ahead of USA and Mexico fixtures.

When: Match days from June 11 through the tournament; doors and plaza open well before kickoff.
Price: Free (plaza screenings and Splash RSVP entry; food and drink sold separately).
Address: Thrive City / Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco, CA 94158.

China Basin Park at Mission Rock

Hosted by Giants Enterprises right by the ballpark, this is the waterfront option — an open green space on the bay with a large outdoor screen, food and drink, and that classic San Francisco Embarcadero setting. It’s family-friendly, easy to reach via Muni and the waterfront, and pairs naturally with the fan marches heading toward Thrive City. Because it’s outdoors and on the water, bring a layer: even in June, the bay breeze turns cool fast once the sun drops behind the city.

When: Match days from June 11 onward, aligned with the World Cup schedule.
Price: Free and open to the public.
Address: China Basin Park at Mission Rock, near 3rd Street and Terry A. Francois Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94158.

PIER 39 Entertainment Zone

The most tourist-accessible of the three, right on the Fisherman’s Wharf waterfront. PIER 39 screens matches outdoors within a designated Entertainment Zone, where — uniquely — you can grab an alcoholic beverage to go and watch the game in the open air, sea lions barking nearby. It’s the ideal choice if you’re already sightseeing on the northern waterfront and want to fold a match into the day without committing to a full bar. Expect crowds, a festive mix of locals and visitors, and easy access to food along the pier.

When: Match days during the tournament; outdoor screen within the Entertainment Zone.
Price: Free to watch (drinks and food purchased on-site).
Address: PIER 39, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133.

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