There are few better countries in the world to watch live sporting action than North America.
Therefore, it is little surprise that excitement levels are building ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Before then, there is competitive domestic action on the agenda, with the new NBA and NFL seasons getting underway later this year, while sports bettors are already examining the odds to win Liga MX.
But, what are the best sporting venues that must be visited in North America?
Allegiant Stadium
Las Vegas is already known as the showbiz capital of the world, and the only thing that was missing was a state-of-the-art stadium. However, that changed in 2020 after Allegiant Stadium was officially opened to the public.
The stadium holds the record as one of the most expensive arenas every built, as it reportedly cost a staggering $1.9 billion. Located to the west of Mandalay Bay, Allegiant Stadium has already hosted some of the biggest sporting events in the diary, including Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024 and WrestleMania 41 in April 2025.
Its reputation as one of the best sporting stadiums in the world also ensures events will be staged at the arena for years to come, with Mania returning to Allegiant Stadium in 2026, and the College Football Playoff National Championship game to be held at the venue in January 2027.
SoFi Stadium
One of the best modern sporting venues anywhere in the world can be found in Los Angeles, California. SoFi Stadium was built on Hollywood Park Racetrack, and forms an entertainment hotspot, with the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum located nearby.
The stadium is capable of holding up to 70,000 fans, and has already been entrusted to host significant events. SoFi regularly hosts important events on the NFL schedule, with the Los Angeles Chargers and LA Rams both calling the stadium their home.
Meanwhile, it also had the honour of hosting Super Bowl LVI in 2022 and the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2023. It will be a focal point of next year’s World Cup, with eight matches being staged at SoFi Stadium.
As well as that, it will host the Super Bowl for a second time in 2027 and will also be the location for the opening ceremony and swimming events at the 2028 Olympics.
Azteca Stadium
There are few better sporting locations to watch live action than the biggest stadium in Latin America- the Azteca Stadium. The arena can host up to 87,000 fans, making it the sixth-largest soccer stadium in the world.
Unlike many modern locations, the Aztecta has formed the backdrop for some of the most iconic moments in the sport’s history. It has hosted two World Cup finals, including Brazil’s 4-1 win over Italy in 1970 and Argentina’s success against West Germany in 1986.
However, potentially the most iconic moment at the stadium came in the World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and England, as Diego Maradona scored the ‘Hand of God’ goal.
The Azteca will once again be a prominent location for soccer next summer, as the stadium will host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, becoming the only arena in the history of the competition to host three editions of the global competition. Aside from soccer, the Azteca also hosts one regular season NFL game per season.
Yankee Stadium
In the world of baseball, there are potentially few more iconic venues than Yankee Stadium. Located in New York City, the stadium plays host to the New York Yankees, and has been the home location for one of MLB’s most iconic teams since 2009.
A staggering $2.3 billion was spent during construction of the venue, which is able to host soccer action, with New York City FC playing their home matches at the venue. Of the 30 teams in the MLS, Yankee Stadium boasts the fifth-largest seating capacity.
Its status as one of the best sporting venues in the United States has been highlighted by the fact that it has hosted the World Series on two occasions. As well as baseball and soccer, Yankee Stadium also plays host to college football games, concerts, and the annual Pinstripe Bowl.
Churchill Downs
For horse racing fans, there are few more prestigious locations to watch live action than Churchill Downs. The track in Louisville, Kentucky, is able to host a staggering 170,000 people on race day, and it has been open to the public since 1875.
One of the biggest sporting events on the international calendar is held at the venue each year, with Churchill Downs playing host to the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.
The opening leg of the Triple Crown is one of the most popular sporting events on the U.S. calendar, and it typically captures a global audience. As well as the Derby, Churchill Downs has also had the honour of hosting the season-ending Breeders’ Cup on a record nine occasions.