Group I is the California showcase, requiring a balance between high-tech logistics in the North and sprawling celebrity culture in the South.
The group is anchored by Levi's Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
San Francisco ✈️ San Jose 🚗 Los Angeles
Fly between the Bay Area and LA for speed. If you have 48 hours to spare, drive the Pacific Coast Highway for the tournament's best road trip.
Group I is built for traveler-fans: two mega-stadiums, two world-class cities, and a schedule that rewards good base planning. Expect premium pricing for France matches, an electric Senegal atmosphere, and a real wildcard once the Play-off 2 winner is confirmed.
A premium ticket magnet. Expect strong neutral demand and a loud, international crowd.
Fast, physical, and usually backed by one of the best traveling vibes in the tournament.
The Play-off 2 winner is the uncertainty factor—great for value tickets, tricky for planning.
High-tempo football and a fanbase that tends to travel in organized waves.
Your goal is to keep your commute short on match days. For Levi’s, base in Santa Clara/San Jose or along Caltrain. For SoFi, base on the Westside (Santa Monica/El Segundo) or near LAX/Inglewood.
| Matchday | Fixture | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senegal vs Norway | 12:00 PM PTJune 14, 2026 |
| 1 | France vs Play-off 2 Winner | 6:00 PM PTJune 14, 2026 |
| 2 | France vs Norway | 12:00 PM PTJune 20, 2026 |
| 2 | Senegal vs Play-off 2 Winner | 6:00 PM PTJune 20, 2026 |
| 3 | Norway vs Play-off 2 Winner | 12:00 PM PTJune 26, 2026 |
| 3 | France vs Senegal | 8:00 PM PTJune 26, 2026 |
California is vast. Group I requires moving between Northern and Southern California, two regions separated by 400 miles of diverse terrain.
Do not underestimate the distance. A "quick drive" from San Francisco to Los Angeles takes 6 hours via the boring I-5 or 10 hours via the scenic coast.
SFO/SJC to LAX/BUR. 1h 15m air time. Multiple carriers.
$80-150 USDThe scenic route. Hwy 1. Best with a 2-day itinerary.
$60-120/dayIncredible views, but notoriously slow. 12+ hours.
$50-90 USDWith three airports in the Bay Area and five in Greater LA, choosing the right hub saves hours of ground traffic.
| Route | Est. Price |
|---|---|
| To Levi's Stadium | $90 - $180 |
| To SoFi Stadium | $80 - $150 |
| Scenic Entry | $120 - $220 |
West Coast shuttles are high-frequency but fill up fast during match weeks.
We may earn a commission on bookings made through these links.
Group I is one of the rare groups where you can plan like a local: two bases, one short flight, and no border crossings. The trap is assuming SF and LA “feel close.” They don’t—plan your match days like two separate trips.
Stay South Bay for match days (Santa Clara/San Jose). Use Caltrain + VTA to avoid parking stress.
LA is a traffic puzzle. Westside/LAX areas reduce pain; transit works, but shuttles and timing matter.
San Francisco is compact and hilly. Los Angeles is a series of suburbs connected by gridlock. Positioning is the difference between a 20-minute trip and a 2-hour nightmare.
Book 9 Months Out
Book 7 Months Out
Luxury hotels in SF/Santa Monica, fine dining, and private transfers.
Mid-range hotels in San Jose/Inglewood, local eats, and stadium shuttles.
Hostels or shared Airbnbs, food trucks (In-N-Out), and public transit.
California has the highest fuel prices in the US. If renting a car, budget an extra $15/day for gas. Sales tax is ~9-10% in major cities.
The US has strict entry requirements. Depending on your passport, you will need either an ESTA (Visa Waiver) or a B1/B2 Visitor Visa.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the US. Check your expiry date now.
Official ESTA SiteSan Francisco is famously chilly, even in June. The "Marine Layer" brings fog that can drop temperatures by 15°F in minutes. Levi's Stadium is in Santa Clara, which is much warmer, but SF proper is cold.
LA's SoFi Stadium is a marvel, but public transit is lacking. The best secret is the Metro to Hawthorne/Lennox station, then taking the dedicated Stadium Express shuttle.