The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, is to establish temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) over stadiums hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and related fan events across the United States to help protect participants and spectators.
During match days, all aircraft operations, including drones, will be prohibited within a 3-nautical-mile radius and up to 3,000 feet above ground level around the stadiums listed below, unless otherwise authorised by air traffic control.
Drone operators who enter restricted airspace without authorisation can face fines of up to USD 100,000, drone confiscation and federal criminal charges, with federal law enforcement identifying operators, seizing drones and supporting prosecution.
The FAA recently launched the Drone Expedited and Targeted Enforcement Response (DETER) initiative for the identification and enforcement of drone violations. DETER will be used at the World Cup.
“Federal law enforcement is legally authorised to use specialized mitigation tools to address unauthorised drone flights and can take action to move aircraft out of restricted airspace while preserving evidence for potential enforcement action,” the FAA said yesterday (May 28).
World Cup match-venue restrictions will apply at the following locations:
| Venue | City, State | Dates (2026) |
| SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles, CA | June 12,15, 18, 21, 25, 28, July 2, 10 |
| Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA | June 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, July 1 |
| Lumen Field | Seattle, WA | June 15, 19, 24, 26, July 1, 6 |
| AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX | June 14, 17, 22, 25, 27, 30, July 3, 6, 14 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston, TX | June 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, July 4 |
| Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA | June 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, July 1, 7, 15 |
| Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA | June 13, 16, 19, 23, 26, 29, July 9 |
| Hard Rock Stadium | Miami, FL | June 15, 21, 24, 27, July 3, 11, 18 |
| Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, MO | June 16, 20, 25, 27, July 3, 11 |
| MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ | June 13, 16, 22, 25, 27, 30, July 5, 19 |
| Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, PA | June 14, 19, 22, 25, 27, July 4 |
Additional restrictions will apply to drones at certain World Cup fan-event locations.
Unless specifically authorised, drone operations will be prohibited within a 1-nautical-mile radius and up to 1,000 feet above ground level at the following locations:
| Venue | City, State | Dates (2026) |
| LA Memorial Coliseum | Los Angeles, CA | June 10-15 |
| Dallas Fair Park | Dallas, TX | June 11-30, July 1-7, 9-11, 14, 15, 18, 19 |
| East Downtown District | Houston, TX | June 11-30, July 1-7, 9-11, 14, 15, 18, 19 |
| Centennial Olympic Park | Atlanta, GA | June 11-15, 17-21, 24, 26, 27, July 1, 7, 14, 15 |
| City Hall Plaza | Boston, MA | June 11-26 |
| Bayfront Park | Miami, FL | June 13-30, July 1-5 |
| National WWI Museum and Memorial | Kansas City, MO | June 9, 11-14, 16, 19-21, 24-27, July 1, 3, 4-7, 9-12 |
| Sports Illustrated Stadium | Harrison, NJ | June 13-30, July 11-19 |
| Louis Armstrong Stadium | Flushing, NY | June 11-27 |
| Emily Warren Roebling Plaza | Brooklyn, NY | June 13-19 |
| Rockefeller Center | New York, NY | July 4-19 |
| Lemon Hill Park | Philadelphia, PA | June 11-30, July 1-19 |
The FAA notes that the locations listed above are subject to change, and additional sites may be added. Restrictions will be in place in other locations including team hotels, base camps and training facilities.
For more information
FIFA World Cup 2026 Flight Advisory and FIFA World Cup 2026 at FAA
Image: FAA