CityPASS® help soccer fans explore host cities this summer
For millions of football fans, traveling to North America this summer will be about much more than watching 90 minutes of action on the pitch. As international supporters plan extended holidays around the tournament, they are increasingly looking for ways to experience the culture, landmarks, museums, restaurants, and attractions that make each host city unique.
This growing trend is creating new opportunities for the tourism industry, as visitors transform match trips into full-scale vacations. One solution gaining attention is CityPASS®, a sightseeing pass that helps travelers discover the best attractions in major North American cities while saving both time and money.
According to a recent study by the U.S. Travel Association, international soccer fans are expected to become some of the highest-value visitors of the summer. One in three plans to stay for more than two weeks, while average spending is projected to reach approximately $5,000 per traveler—around 1.7 times higher than that of the average international visitor.
These figures illustrate how sporting events are increasingly becoming catalysts for broader tourism experiences. Rather than flying in for a single match and immediately returning home, visitors are choosing to explore multiple cities, extend their itineraries, and experience North America’s rich cultural and natural attractions.
For these travelers, flexibility has become almost as important as affordability. Match schedules, transportation, and changing travel plans require sightseeing options that can easily adapt to different itineraries. This is where CityPASS offers a practical solution.
Instead of purchasing separate admission tickets for each attraction, CityPASS bundles access to some of each destination’s most popular experiences into a single digital pass. Depending on the destination, travelers can save up to 50 percent compared with buying individual admission tickets, making it an attractive option for families and groups traveling during one of the busiest tourism periods of the year.
The passes are designed with flexibility in mind. Once activated, they remain valid for nine consecutive days, allowing visitors to explore attractions before kickoff, on rest days, or after the tournament has moved on to another city. This extended validity is particularly valuable for international travelers who often spend several days in each destination.
The entire experience is managed through the My CityPASS mobile app, where visitors can access digital tickets, make reservations when required, and find practical information about participating attractions without carrying printed vouchers or multiple confirmations.
For football fans balancing sightseeing with match schedules, this convenience can make a significant difference. A morning visit to a world-famous aquarium, an afternoon exploring a science museum, or an evening spent taking in panoramic city views can easily fit around kickoff times without requiring complicated planning.
The concept also encourages travelers to experience destinations more deeply. Instead of limiting themselves to stadium districts, visitors can discover iconic landmarks, renowned museums, zoos, observation decks, and cultural institutions that define each city. Families traveling with children can dedicate a relaxed morning to an interactive museum or aquarium before heading to the match, while couples or groups of friends may choose to spend a full non-match day exploring local neighborhoods and attractions regardless of the weather.
CityPASS products are currently available in 17 major North American destinations, ten of which are also tournament host cities. These include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Toronto. The network also extends to other popular leisure destinations, including Chicago, Denver, Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, Southern California, and Tampa Bay.
For supporters attending matches in several cities, CityPASS provides a convenient way to continue sightseeing throughout their journey without researching individual attractions in every destination.
The company has built a strong reputation over nearly three decades. Since launching in 1997, more than 30 million travelers have used CityPASS tickets while exploring North America’s leading attractions. Today, the platform features more than 88,000 customer reviews with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, reflecting its popularity among both domestic and international visitors.
Importantly, CityPASS programs are not affiliated with any tournament organizer. Instead, they are designed as an independent sightseeing solution that complements travel plans by helping visitors experience more of each destination beyond the excitement of match day.
As international football fans prepare to spend weeks traveling across North America, sightseeing is becoming an increasingly important part of the journey. The stadium may be the reason for the trip, but museums, observation decks, aquariums, historic landmarks, and local neighborhoods are often what transform a sporting event into an unforgettable holiday.
For travelers looking to maximize both their time and budget, CityPASS is positioning itself as a practical companion for discovering the very best each host city has to offer—before, after, and between the matches.
Sorin Dutoiu, Managing Partner of YOLO Media company
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