Arizona might have the Grand Canyon and some of the best spring training in the country, but Chicago is getting ready to steal a little of that spotlight. With the FIFA World Cup coming to North America in 2026, the Windy City is rolling out a global welcome — even without hosting a single match — and inviting fans to use Chicago as their home base for the beautiful game.
For Arizona travelers, the pitch is easy to love: trade triple-digit temps for lakefront breezes, skyline views and a city that comes alive in summer. Choose Chicago’s new campaign invites World Cup visitors to “kick back in Chicago,” showcasing the city not just as a stopover, but as a destination where you can watch the matches by day and explore by night.
The five-borough energy of New York meets Midwest hospitality in Chicago, with viewing parties planned across the city and special programming that taps into Chicago’s deep bench of music, arts and food. Even if the ball isn’t rolling at Soldier Field, the vibe will feel very host-city-adjacent.
One of the campaign’s biggest goals is to get visitors out of the downtown bubble and into the neighborhoods. That means tacos in Pilsen, jazz in Uptown, mural-spotting in Wicker Park, and deep dish or fine dining in River North — a multicultural lineup that mirrors the global nature of the World Cup itself. For Arizonans, it’s the perfect excuse to swap desert sunsets for a stroll along the lakefront trail or an evening on a rooftop patio.
Chicago is also leaning into its role as a major gateway city. With two busy airports and plenty of direct and connecting flights, it’s an easy launchpad for fans heading to matches across North America who still want a big-city stay with a festival feel.
From pop-up fan zones to cultural events and special sports experiences, the city is planning to stretch the World Cup energy across the season. In other words, you don’t need a ticket to a match to feel like you’re part of the action — you just need a good viewing spot, a plate of something delicious and the Chicago skyline in the background.
For Arizona locals looking to build a trip around both soccer and city exploring, Chicago is making a pretty strong case: come for the World Cup, stay for the neighborhoods, and let the lake breeze do the rest.
Insider Takeaways
- Chicago is launching a World Cup-inspired campaign inviting visitors to “kick back” in the city, even though it is not hosting matches.
- Expect citywide viewing parties, fan experiences and cultural programming that tap into Chicago’s music, arts and dining scenes.
- The campaign highlights neighborhoods beyond downtown, encouraging visitors to explore spots like Pilsen, Uptown and Wicker Park.
- With two major airports and easy flight options, Chicago is a convenient World Cup hub for Arizona travelers.
- The city aims to feel like an honorary host, channeling tournament energy into a full season of events and experiences.
For more information, visit choosechicago.com.
