How to Plan a Soccer Trip Across the U.S.: A Complete Guide for Brazilian Fans
A major international soccer tournament is coming to the United States. And for Brazilian fans, the timing couldn't be better — the national team's three group-stage matches are spread across the U.S. East Coast: New York on June 13, Philadelphia on June 19, and Miami on June 24.
Three iconic cities. Three matches. One extraordinary window of time.
But a trip like this doesn't plan itself. Between visas, flights, accommodation, transportation, and managing your money across a country you may never have visited before, the logistics can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks all of it down — step by step, city by city, budget by budget — so you can focus on what actually matters: being there.
First Things First: Visas and Travel Documents
Before you book anything else — flights, hotels, tickets — you should confirm your visa situation. This is the one thing that can't be rushed, and in 2026 it may already be tight.
Brazilian citizens need a U.S. visa. Brazil does not participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (ESTA), which is a common misconception. All Brazilian passport holders traveling to the United States for tourism need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, regardless of how long they're staying.
The process involves four steps:
1. Complete the DS-160 form online. This is the standard U.S. nonimmigrant visa application, filled out at the U.S. Department of State's website. It asks about your travel plans, employment, travel history, and background.
2. Pay the application fee. The current fee is $185, paid before scheduling the interview.
3. Schedule a consulate interview. This is the step where time becomes critical. U.S. consulate interview wait times in Brazil — in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Recife, and Porto Alegre — have historically stretched from weeks to several months during peak periods. In 2026, with extraordinary demand from soccer fans traveling to the U.S., wait times may be even longer. If you haven't applied yet, do it now.
4. Attend the interview with your documentation. Bring your passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates), proof of the purpose of travel (match tickets are a significant help here), proof of financial means to cover your trip, and proof of ties to Brazil — employment records, property ownership, or family — demonstrating that you intend to return.
A few things worth knowing: if you already have a valid U.S. visa in your passport, you likely don't need to reapply. Check the expiration date and the number of permitted entries. If your visa is valid and unexpired, you can book everything else first.
If you're traveling with children, each person needs their own visa application and interview. Start the process for the whole group at the same time.
Brazil's Match Schedule
Everything else — flights, hotels, transport — gets planned around these three dates. Brazil's confirmed group-stage schedule is:
● June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco — New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
● June 19: Brazil vs. Haiti — Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, PA
● June 24: Scotland vs. Brazil — Miami Stadium, Miami, FL
The geography is favorable. New York and Philadelphia are approximately 95 miles apart — about an hour and fifteen minutes by train. From Philadelphia to Miami is roughly 1,280 miles — a 3-hour flight. The East Coast arc means you don't have to cross the country to follow the team through all three matches.
Plan your trip around these anchors:
● Arrive in New York by June 12 at the latest — ideally a day or two earlier to recover from the flight and get oriented.
● Move to Philadelphia between June 14 and 18 — the city is close enough to New York that you could technically stay in one place for both matches, but splitting time between the cities is part of the experience.
● Arrive in Miami by June 22 or 23 — Miami deserves more than a rushed overnight, and match day in that city will have its own energy worth experiencing fully.
If Brazil advances past the group stage, knockout matches will be played at various U.S. venues through to the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Fans planning a longer stay should build flexibility into their itinerary — or at minimum, keep return flights open-ended.
Flights: When to book and what to expect
The smart routing: Fly into New York, follow the matches south, and fly home from Miami. This eliminates backtracking, follows the schedule geographically, and lets you book a one-way inbound and a separate return from a different city — often cheaper than a round-trip to a single hub.
Best arrival airports:
● New York area: EWR (Newark Liberty) — closest to the stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Also consider JFK if you're staying in Manhattan.
● Philadelphia: PHL (Philadelphia International) — well-connected and easy to navigate.
● Miami: MIA (Miami International) — main hub, with the most connections from Brazil.
Estimated round-trip prices from São Paulo (GRU) for June travel:
● Economy class: approximately $900–$1,500 USD if booked well in advance; $1,500–$2,500+ if booking now with less lead time
● Premium economy / business class: approximately $3,600–$8,000 USD
Key airlines with direct Brazil–U.S. routes: LATAM and American Airlines operate the most consistent nonstop connections between São Paulo and New York, Miami, and other major U.S. gateways. Azul operates seasonal routes. Consider connecting through Miami even if your first match is in New York — routing options vary significantly in price.
Practical tip: Search for your GRU–EWR (or GRU–JFK) inbound and PHL–GRU or MIA–GRU outbound as separate one-way tickets. Google Flights and Kayak both allow this and often surface cheaper combinations than a standard round-trip search.
Book now.Fares for June are already elevated and trending higher. Every week of delay typically adds cost.
Accommodation: Book early, budget smart
Accommodation near the three venues is in high demand — and prices are rising. In New York especially, the window for reasonable pricing may already be closing.
Estimates based on current market conditions. Prices vary. Book early.
New York / New Jersey (recommended stay: June 10–15)
The stadium is in East Rutherford, New Jersey — not Manhattan. On match days, NJ Transit trains run between Penn Station Manhattan and the stadium, making it entirely practical to stay in Manhattan or Jersey City and commute to the game.
● Budget: Hostels in Brooklyn or Queens, or budget hotels in Jersey City or Newark: $80–$150/night. These areas have easy transit links to Manhattan and the stadium.
● Mid-range: Manhattan hotels in Midtown or Lower Manhattan, or hotels in Hoboken (NJ) with Manhattan views: $200–$400/night.
● Premium: Boutique or 4-star hotels in Midtown Manhattan or the West Village: $500–$1,000+/night.
● Best alternative: Airbnb in Brooklyn (Williamsburg, DUMBO, Park Slope) offers more space and neighborhood character at prices below Manhattan hotels. Filter for listings with flexible cancellation — you may need it if Brazil advances.
Philadelphia (recommended stay: June 17–21)
Philadelphia is the most manageable and affordable of the three cities. Center City is walkable, and the transit system is reliable.
● Budget: Hostels in Old City or Chinatown, or budget hotels near Temple University or University City: $70–$130/night.
● Mid-range: Hotels in Center City, near Rittenhouse Square or Old City: $150–$300/night.
● Premium: Boutique hotels in Rittenhouse Square or the Benjamin Franklin Parkway area: $300–$600/night.
● Stadium access: Lincoln Financial Field (the venue) is in South Philadelphia, easily reached by SEPTA on match days. No need to stay near the stadium — Center City is the better base.
Miami (recommended stay: June 22–27)
Miami is the most vibrant of the three cities and the natural finale for the trip. The Brazilian community here is large and established — Portuguese is heard throughout Brickell, Doral, and Aventura. The city will be fully in soccer mode by the time you arrive.
● Budget:Hostels in Miami Beach or Wynwood, or hotels in Doral or Hialeah: $60–$120/night. Doral in particular has a large Brazilian community and is close to the airport.
● Mid-range: Hotels in Brickell, Wynwood, or Miami Beach: $150–$350/night.
● Premium: South Beach hotels or waterfront properties in Brickell: $400–$900+/night.
● Stadium note: Hard Rock Stadium is in Miami Gardens — northern Miami, a significant distance from downtown and the beach. Depending on traffic, expect 45 to 90 minutes from Brickell or South Beach by Uber — and event traffic on match day can push that further. Plan accordingly and leave more time than you think you need. One additional practical note: rideshares and buses can't drop you off directly at the stadium gates, so factor in some walking from the drop-off point to your entrance.[DS1]
Getting Around: Transport Between and Within Cities
New York to Philadelphia
The train is the clear recommendation. Amtrak's Northeast Regional connects Penn Station in Manhattan to Philadelphia's 30th Street Station in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Fares start around $30–$50 for Regional service if booked in advance — though prices rise significantly as the travel date approaches and seats fill up around match days. The faster Acela takes about the same time but costs considerably more.
The bus is the budget option. FlixBus, Greyhound, and Peter Pan Bus all run New York–Philadelphia routes for as little as $15–$30. The ride takes about 2 to 2.5 hours and drops you in central Philadelphia. Comfortable enough for the distance.
Driving is possible but not particularly convenient — expect 2 hours without traffic, more with it, and parking near stadiums on match days is expensive and scarce.
Philadelphia to Miami
A flight is the practical choice. The route is well-served by American, Spirit, JetBlue, and Southwest, with fares from around $80–$200 one-way if booked in advance. The flight takes approximately 3 hours. Spirit and Frontier typically have the lowest base fares but add fees for bags — factor that in.
The Amtrak option exists (Philadelphia to Miami takes roughly 27 hours) but isn't realistic for this trip. Driving is 18–20 hours — a dedicated road trip in its own right.
Within each city
In New York, the subway is your best friend. It runs 24/7, costs $2.90 per ride, and connects virtually every neighborhood. Download the MTA app before you arrive. On match days, NJ Transit runs dedicated service between Penn Station and the stadium — buy tickets in advance on the NJ Transit app.
In Philadelphia, the SEPTA subway and bus network covers Center City well. The Broad Street Line runs toward South Philadelphia and the stadium. Uber and Lyft are also widely available and reasonably priced compared to New York.
In Miami, plan on Uber or Lyft for most of your movement. Miami's public transit is limited and not well-suited to getting around the city quickly. Renting a car is an option for longer stays, but parking in South Beach and downtown is expensive and finding a parking spot on match days near the stadium is chaotic.
What to Budget: Three Scenarios
All figures are estimates. Prices vary based on timing, availability, and individual choices.
These estimates cover a 10–14 day trip following all three group-stage matches, flying from São Paulo. All figures are in USD and represent estimates based on current market conditions — individual choices, timing, and availability will all affect the final number.
Budget traveler: Hostels, economy flights booked in advance, public transport wherever possible, eating at local spots and markets rather than restaurants. Estimated total: $2,550–$3,750 USD.
Mid-range traveler:Comfortable hotels, economy flights, a mix of Amtrak and budget airlines between cities, a balance of restaurant meals and casual dining. Estimated total: $4,700–$8,000 USD.
Premium traveler: 4–5 star hotels, upgraded flights, flexibility to add knockout matches, premium match tickets, restaurant dining throughout. Estimated total: $12,500–$27,000+ USD.
All figures are estimates. Match ticket prices are not included if you've already purchased them. If you haven't, official resale is the primary market — face value tickets are largely sold out, and resale prices for Brazil matches are elevated.
One planning note that sits across all three scenarios: every dollar you lose to currency conversion fees or unfavorable exchange rates is a dollar that could have been a better meal, an extra night, or a Round of 16 ticket. Using a financial account that operates in dollars — without conversion markups on every transaction — is one of the simplest ways to reduce the invisible cost of the trip.
Match Day Tips
Arrive early — but check the gate opening time for your specific venue first. Gates at large stadiums typically open 90 minutes to 2 hours before kickoff, but policies vary, and showing up significantly before gates open can mean being turned away or asked to wait outside. Once inside, security lines move slowly at high-capacity venues, so arriving right when gates open gives you time to get through, find your section, grab food and drinks, and settle in before kickoff.[DS2]
What to bring. A printed or digital ticket — check the entry format for each specific venue in advance. Your passport or a valid ID. Light clothing — all three matches are in June, and Philadelphia and especially Miami will be warm. A portable charger — long match days drain batteries faster than you expect, and you'll want your phone working for transport home.
Food and drinks. C[DS3] oncession prices inside U.S. stadiums are high — and expect them to run even higher than usual. A beer can easily cost $15–$20 or more; food items range from around $15 on the low end to $25 or higher depending on what you're ordering. A common approach: eat a proper meal before the match and limit stadium spending to drinks and a snack. All three venues allow alcohol purchases inside, which is not always the case at major international tournaments.
Fan zones. All three host cities will have official and unofficial watch parties where matches are broadcast and fans gather before and after games. These are often the most memorable part of the experience — the spontaneous street atmosphere, the music, the flags, the collective noise of thousands of people in the same moment. Build time around the fan zones into each match day. Don't rush from hotel to stadium and back.
The Trip of a Lifetime — Plan Accordingly
The matches last 90 minutes each. The trip — the cities, the people, the noise in the streets, the late nights and early mornings, the connections made with strangers wearing the same colors — lasts much longer in memory.
New York in June. Philadelphia's rowhouse neighborhoods and cheesesteak shops. Miami's heat and waterfront and the sound of Portuguese everywhere. Three cities, three matches, one summer.
Plan the visa first. Then the flights. Then the accommodation. The rest falls into place from there — and the earlier you start, the better every piece of it will be.
Managing Your Money on the Road
Between accommodation deposits, stadium concessions, restaurant bills, Uber rides, and shopping across three cities, you'll be making hundreds of transactions in U.S. dollars over two weeks. Every time a card charges a conversion fee or an unfavorable exchange rate, it adds up quietly in the background.
Inter's Global Account lets you manage your money in dollars directly from your phone. Pair it with Inter's international card and you're covered for every transaction — from match-day concessions to hotel checkouts — across all three cities, without the friction of currency conversion at every turn.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any official sports governing bodies or event organizers.
[DS1]Realistically its 45-90 minutes to the stadium from Downtown or Brickell. Event traffic might make it even more. Also, it would be good to add a note that Ubers and buses can't drop you off right at the gate, so you will still have to do some walking to get to the stadium.
[DS2]I would add a note here to check what time gates open in your city. Sometimes security will turn people away or make them leave if they arrive too early.
[DS3]Prices will probably be higher than this. Or the upper limit will be higher. I've paid like $20-$25 for food at a stadium before and more than $15 for a beer, too.
