Fans may notice that some of North America’s most iconic stadiums will have a different name.
WASHINGTON — The World Cup is kicking off in a few days and some of North America’s most recognizable stadiums are getting a name change, at least temporarily.
The soccer tournament, hosted for the first time ever by three countries, will kick off on June 11 as 48 teams face off for the World Cup.
Some stadiums, like the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, will bear a different name during the tournament.
Why are stadiums changing their name for the World Cup?
FIFA has strong branding rules for its World Cup, which means bad news for stadiums in the U.S., Canada and Mexico that have brand names such as the the Gillette Stadium or AT&T Stadium.
In its official list of stadiums, FIFA has a disclaimer about the name change.
“All listed stadium capacities are preliminary at this stage and subject to change prior to the tournament. Stadium official names for the FIFA World Cup 2026 have been matched with Host City names and may differ from the common designation used locally,” the notice says on its website.
So don’t be shocked when your local stadium isn’t referred to by its usual name.
Here’s what the stadium names are, as listed on the official FIFA website.
- Atlanta Stadium — Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Boston Stadium — Gillette Stadium
- Dallas Stadium — AT&T Stadium
- Houston Stadium — NRG Stadium
- Kansas City Stadium — Arrowhead Stadium / GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
- Los Angeles Stadium — SoFi Stadium
- Miami Stadium — Hard Rock Stadium
- New York New Jersey Stadium — MetLife Stadium
- Philadelphia Stadium — Lincoln Financial Field
- San Francisco Bay Area Stadium — Levi’s Stadium
- Seattle Stadium — Lumen Field
- Toronto Stadium — BMO Field
- BC Place Vancouver — BC Place
- Estadio Guadalajara — Estadio Akron
- Estadio Monterrey — Estadio BBVA
- Mexico City Stadium — Estadio Azteca / Estadio Banorte
Several NFL stadiums had to remove the branding to abide by the FIFA mandate, including some rooftop logos and letterings.
One stadium, however, was able to get an exceptions.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia got a pass from FIFA as covering the massive logo could result in damage to its retractable roof.
FIFA designates “Clean Zones” around the World Cup stadium and nearby event sites that allow its to “protect” their intellectual property.
“Clean Zones are defined by an imaginary line on a map, not a physical barrier, and restrict the commercial activities of unauthorized businesses on matchdays and on the days leading up a match during tournament time,” FIFA says on its Brand Protection website. “Clean Zones are prescribed by local laws or regulations to provide additional legal protection against prohibited marketing activities, such as the distribution of promotional items or flyers by non-sponsor businesses, unauthorized traders, the sale of counterfeit goods and unauthorized ticket sales.”