- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,130,296
- Reaction score
- 59
Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly reveals why she walked away from her podcastThe 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on Thursday, June 11, 2026, and it will run through Sunday, July 19, 2026. It will be the first men’s World Cup staged across three host countries, the United States, Canada, and Mexico and the first edition to feature 48 teams. Matches will be played at 16 venues, including 11 in the U.S., where FIFA has required temporary stadium names and stripped away non-FIFA sponsor branding during the tournament.
That means many of the most familiar NFL buildings will look different on the World Cup stage. Stadiums that fans know by corporate naming rights will be called by simplified FIFA names, such as Atlanta Stadium, Boston Stadium, and New York New Jersey Stadium. The venues still belong to the same NFL homes and same cities, but for the World Cup, FIFA’s branding rules will decide what the global audience sees.
MORE: Teams with most appearances in FIFA World Cup
Syracuse offensive lineman Da’Metrius Weatherspoon (57) lifts Syracuse wide receiver Johntay Cook (2) in celebration after a touchdown during the Aflac Kickoff Game between the Volunteers and Syracuse held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on August 30, 2025.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will become Atlanta Stadium for the World Cup. It is the home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, and it will host a semifinal and eight matches in total. FIFA wanted the stadium branding covered, although the Mercedes logo on the roof was part of a separate agreement.
Nov 13, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; A general view of the stadium before the game between New York Jets and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Gillette Stadium will be called Boston Stadium even though it is in Foxborough, not Boston. It is the home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, and it will host seven matches, including knockout-round games. FIFA’s naming choice focuses on the nearest major city rather than the stadium’s actual town.
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of the Star logo before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
AT&T Stadium will become Dallas Stadium during the tournament. It is the home of the Dallas Cowboys and is one of the biggest stadiums in the NFL. FIFA’s temporary name ignores Arlington and uses the larger metro name instead, and the venue will host nine matches, the most of any U.S. stadium.
Dec 27, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; A general view of SoFi Stadium prior to a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
NRG Stadium will be renamed Houston Stadium. It is the home of the Houston Texans and will host seven World Cup matches. The venue is already well known, but FIFA will still remove the corporate branding for the tournament.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of the interior of the stadium prior to the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Arrowhead Stadium will be called Kansas City Stadium. It is the home of the Kansas City Chiefs and also a major soccer venue in the city. FIFA passed over the stadium’s better-known nickname and chose a straightforward city label instead, and the stadium will host six matches, including a quarterfinal.
Oct 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; The Los Angeles Rams logo in the end zone at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
SoFi Stadium will be known as Los Angeles Stadium. It is the home of the Rams and Chargers and will host eight matches, including games in the round of 32 and a quarterfinal. Even though the stadium is in Inglewood, FIFA is using the broader Los Angeles name for the World Cup.
Jan 20, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; A general overall aerial view of Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins and site of the 2026 CFP Championship playoff game. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Hard Rock Stadium will be called Miami Stadium. It is the home of the Miami Dolphins and will host seven matches. FIFA will cover or remove the Hard Rock branding so the venue fits its tournament rules.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; General view inside the stadium during the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amanda Perobelli-Reuters via Imagn Images
MetLife Stadium will become New York New Jersey Stadium. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets and will stage the World Cup final. FIFA’s name tries to capture both the New York market and the New Jersey location, even if the wording feels long.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; General view inside the stadium before a round of 16 match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Susana Vera-Reuters via Imagn Images
Lincoln Financial Field will be called Philadelphia Stadium. It is the home of the Philadelphia Eagles and has been a major match venue since it opened in 2003. The temporary name is simple, but the stadium itself remains one of the most important soccer venues in the country for the tournament.
April 19, 2012; Santa Clara, CA, USA; A detail view of a cake made to model the new 49ers stadium during the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new San Francisco 49ers stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Levi’s Stadium will become San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. It is the home of the San Francisco 49ers and sits in Santa Clara, not San Francisco. FIFA used the broader region in the name, and the stadium will host six matches, all before the quarterfinal stage.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; A general view in the second half in Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Lumen Field will be renamed Seattle Stadium. It is the home of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders and will host six matches, including the U.S. men’s team’s second group-stage game against Australia. FIFA kept this one simple, even though the stadium already has a strong identity.
MORE: Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly reveals why she walked away from her podcast
The temporary stadium names may sound plain, but they are part of how FIFA controls branding at its biggest event. For NFL fans, the buildings will still be familiar, but the World Cup will give them a new look, a new label, and a global stage. When the first match kicks off on June 11, 2026, those names will be everywhere.
Continue reading...
That means many of the most familiar NFL buildings will look different on the World Cup stage. Stadiums that fans know by corporate naming rights will be called by simplified FIFA names, such as Atlanta Stadium, Boston Stadium, and New York New Jersey Stadium. The venues still belong to the same NFL homes and same cities, but for the World Cup, FIFA’s branding rules will decide what the global audience sees.
MORE: Teams with most appearances in FIFA World Cup
1. Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
You must be registered for see images
Syracuse offensive lineman Da’Metrius Weatherspoon (57) lifts Syracuse wide receiver Johntay Cook (2) in celebration after a touchdown during the Aflac Kickoff Game between the Volunteers and Syracuse held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on August 30, 2025.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will become Atlanta Stadium for the World Cup. It is the home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, and it will host a semifinal and eight matches in total. FIFA wanted the stadium branding covered, although the Mercedes logo on the roof was part of a separate agreement.
2. Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
You must be registered for see images attach
Nov 13, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; A general view of the stadium before the game between New York Jets and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Gillette Stadium will be called Boston Stadium even though it is in Foxborough, not Boston. It is the home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, and it will host seven matches, including knockout-round games. FIFA’s naming choice focuses on the nearest major city rather than the stadium’s actual town.
3. Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas
You must be registered for see images attach
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of the Star logo before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
AT&T Stadium will become Dallas Stadium during the tournament. It is the home of the Dallas Cowboys and is one of the biggest stadiums in the NFL. FIFA’s temporary name ignores Arlington and uses the larger metro name instead, and the venue will host nine matches, the most of any U.S. stadium.
4. Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas
You must be registered for see images attach
Dec 27, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; A general view of SoFi Stadium prior to a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
NRG Stadium will be renamed Houston Stadium. It is the home of the Houston Texans and will host seven World Cup matches. The venue is already well known, but FIFA will still remove the corporate branding for the tournament.
5. Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
You must be registered for see images attach
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of the interior of the stadium prior to the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Arrowhead Stadium will be called Kansas City Stadium. It is the home of the Kansas City Chiefs and also a major soccer venue in the city. FIFA passed over the stadium’s better-known nickname and chose a straightforward city label instead, and the stadium will host six matches, including a quarterfinal.
6. Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California
You must be registered for see images attach
Oct 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; The Los Angeles Rams logo in the end zone at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
SoFi Stadium will be known as Los Angeles Stadium. It is the home of the Rams and Chargers and will host eight matches, including games in the round of 32 and a quarterfinal. Even though the stadium is in Inglewood, FIFA is using the broader Los Angeles name for the World Cup.
7. Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
You must be registered for see images
Jan 20, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; A general overall aerial view of Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins and site of the 2026 CFP Championship playoff game. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Hard Rock Stadium will be called Miami Stadium. It is the home of the Miami Dolphins and will host seven matches. FIFA will cover or remove the Hard Rock branding so the venue fits its tournament rules.
8. New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
You must be registered for see images attach
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; General view inside the stadium during the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amanda Perobelli-Reuters via Imagn Images
MetLife Stadium will become New York New Jersey Stadium. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets and will stage the World Cup final. FIFA’s name tries to capture both the New York market and the New Jersey location, even if the wording feels long.
9. Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
You must be registered for see images attach
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; General view inside the stadium before a round of 16 match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Susana Vera-Reuters via Imagn Images
Lincoln Financial Field will be called Philadelphia Stadium. It is the home of the Philadelphia Eagles and has been a major match venue since it opened in 2003. The temporary name is simple, but the stadium itself remains one of the most important soccer venues in the country for the tournament.
10. San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California
You must be registered for see images attach
April 19, 2012; Santa Clara, CA, USA; A detail view of a cake made to model the new 49ers stadium during the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new San Francisco 49ers stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Levi’s Stadium will become San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. It is the home of the San Francisco 49ers and sits in Santa Clara, not San Francisco. FIFA used the broader region in the name, and the stadium will host six matches, all before the quarterfinal stage.
11. Seattle Stadium, Seattle, Washington
You must be registered for see images attach
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; A general view in the second half in Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Lumen Field will be renamed Seattle Stadium. It is the home of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders and will host six matches, including the U.S. men’s team’s second group-stage game against Australia. FIFA kept this one simple, even though the stadium already has a strong identity.
MORE: Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly reveals why she walked away from her podcast
Conclusion
The temporary stadium names may sound plain, but they are part of how FIFA controls branding at its biggest event. For NFL fans, the buildings will still be familiar, but the World Cup will give them a new look, a new label, and a global stage. When the first match kicks off on June 11, 2026, those names will be everywhere.
Continue reading...
