Accessibility at World Cup 2026 Stadiums: Wheelchair & Mobility Guide

A More Inclusive World Cup

FIFA and the 2026 host nations have made accessibility a cornerstone of the tournament’s planning. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in Canada, and the General Law for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Mexico provide robust legal frameworks. All 16 venues have been audited and upgraded to ensure that fans with disabilities can enjoy the full World Cup experience.

This guide covers everything you need to know about accessibility at World Cup 2026 venues — from wheelchair seating to sensory-friendly facilities.

Wheelchair Seating Locations and Quantities

Every stadium exceeds the minimum requirement of 1% of total capacity for wheelchair spaces. Here is the breakdown by venue:

Venue	Total Capacity	Wheelchair Spaces	Companion Seats
MetLife Stadium	82,500	850+	850+
SoFi Stadium	70,240	720+	720+
AT&T Stadium	80,000	800+	800+
Mercedes-Benz Stadium	71,000	710+	710+
Estadio Azteca	87,523	500+	500+
BC Place	54,500	210+	210+
BMO Field	45,736	180+	180+
Levi’s Stadium	68,500	680+	680+
NRG Stadium	72,220	720+	720+
Lincoln Financial Field	69,796	690+	690+
Gillette Stadium	65,878	650+	650+
Hard Rock Stadium	65,326	650+	650+
Empower Field at Mile High	76,125	760+	760+
GEHA Field at Arrowhead	76,416	760+	760+
Estadio BBVA	53,500	250+	250+
Estadio Akron	49,850	200+	200+

Wheelchair spaces are distributed across all levels of each venue, with at least 50% in the lower bowl. Companion seats are adjacent to wheelchair spaces and available for purchase by the disabled patron’s companion.

Companion Seating Policies

All venues allow one companion ticket per wheelchair space at the same price as the wheelchair space. Some venues permit up to two companions. Key policies:

Proof of disability may be required when purchasing wheelchair spaces. FIFA recommends obtaining accessible ticketing through the official portal with appropriate documentation
Companion seats are typically the adjacent seat(s) and cannot be separated from the wheelchair space
Transfer seats (seats with removable armrests for patrons who can transfer from wheelchair) are available at all venues

Accessible Transport to Venues

United States

MARTA (Atlanta): All stations are ADA-compliant with elevators. Accessible parking at station lots
NY/NJ Transit (MetLife): Accessible rail service from Penn Station. Wheelchair-accessible buses available
LA Metro (SoFi): All stations wheelchair accessible. Accessible shuttles from Hawthorne/Lennox Station
BART/Caltrain (Levi’s): Accessible stations with elevators. Service animals permitted

Canada

TransLink (BC Place): All SkyTrain stations wheelchair accessible. HandyDART service for door-to-door transport (register in advance)
TTC (BMO Field): All subway stations have elevators. Wheel-Trans accessible transit service available

Mexico

Metro CDMX (Azteca): Designated accessible stations with ramps and elevators. Accessible taxi service available through app
Metrorrey (BBVA): Limited wheelchair access; recommend accessible taxi or ride-share

Mobility Assistance Services Within Stadiums

Every venue offers the following services:

Wheelchair escorts: Complimentary wheelchair transport from gates to seats (request at Guest Services)
Accessible restrooms: Located on all levels with wider stalls and grab bars
Accessible concessions: Lowered counters at all food and beverage stands
Elevator access: All venues have elevators to all levels. Elevator locations are clearly marked on venue maps
Accessible parking: Designated spaces in all official parking lots (valid disability permit required)

Sensory-Friendly Facilities

Several venues have introduced sensory rooms or quiet spaces for fans with sensory processing needs:

Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Sensory room available on the 100 level with dimmed lighting, noise-canceling headphones, and fidget tools
SoFi Stadium: Quiet zone on the 200 level with reduced noise and visual stimulation
BC Place: Sensory-friendly area in the south concourse, available on matchdays
BMO Field: Sensory room at Gate 5, available for all events

FIFA has committed to providing at least one sensory room at each venue, though availability may vary. Contact the venue’s accessibility coordinator in advance to book a space.

Visual and Hearing Impairment Services

For Fans with Visual Impairments

Audio descriptive commentary: Available through dedicated headsets at all venues. Commentary is provided in English, Spanish, and French at designated locations
Braille signage: All venues have braille directional signage at key points (gates, restrooms, elevators)
Guide dog relief areas: Designated areas inside and outside each venue. Service animals are welcome at all venues
Large-print programs: Available at Guest Services

For Fans with Hearing Impairments

Assisted listening devices (ALD): Available at Guest Services free of charge with valid ID
Sign language interpretation: Select matches will feature ASF, LSQ, and LSM interpreters on the halo board or pitch-side screens. Check venue schedule for specific matches
Captioning: All video boards and halo displays will include live captioning for announcements and key match information
Induction loops: Installed at all ticket booths, Guest Services, and accessible seating areas

Service Animal Policies

All 2026 venues welcome service animals in accordance with local laws. Key points:

US venues: Service animals permitted per ADA guidelines. Emotional support animals may not qualify
Canada venues: Service animals permitted under AODA. Certification may be requested
Mexico venues: Service animals permitted with proper documentation. Advance notice recommended

Relief areas are available inside and outside each venue. Ask a Guest Services representative for directions to the nearest location.

Contact Information for Accessibility Coordinators

Each venue has a dedicated accessibility coordinator. While specific contact details are subject to change, here is the general contact protocol:

US venues: Contact the venue’s Guest Services department and request the accessibility coordinator
Canada venues: Email accessibility@venue-name for BC Place and BMO Field
Mexico venues: Contact through the venue’s official website accessibility portal

FIFA will also operate a tournament-wide accessibility hotline during the event. Details will be published on the official FIFA website approximately 60 days before the opening match.

Tips for a Smooth Accessible Matchday

Book accessible tickets early: Accessible seating is limited and sells out quickly. Apply through FIFA’s accessible ticketing portal as soon as it opens
Arrive at least 2.5 hours before kickoff: This gives you time to navigate security, find your seat, and familiarize yourself with accessible facilities
Contact the venue in advance: Notify the accessibility coordinator of your needs at least 72 hours before the match
Download venue maps: Most venues publish detailed accessibility maps on their websites
Bring documentation: Keep disability documentation and venue correspondence accessible
Know your rights: ADA, AODA, and Mexican disability laws entitle you to equal access. Contact FIFA or venue management if you encounter barriers
Connect with fan groups: Organizations like CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe) provide advice for traveling fans with disabilities

The Bottom Line

World Cup 2026 promises to be the most accessible tournament in FIFA’s history. While no large-scale event is perfect, the investment in infrastructure, training, and services across 16 venues represents a genuine commitment to inclusion. With proper planning, fans with disabilities can enjoy every moment of the tournament — from the opening match at Azteca to the final at MetLife Stadium.