If you have ever planned ops around the Super Bowl, F1, or the Olympics, you already know what to expect. Hotels sell out fast, ramps fill up, and slots become critical.

Now spread that across three countries, six weeks, and 16 host cities.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs June 11 to July 19. With 48 teams and 104 matches, it will be one of the busiest BizAv periods North America has seen. Traffic will surge across Mexico, the US, and Canada.

Check the official FIFA match schedule below. Arrivals typically peak the day before and on match morning. Departures spike immediately after. Things ramp up fast from the Round of 32 onward.

Or hover over the cities on the map below to quickly check which dates matches are happening:

Mexico

If there is one country that can break a World Cup mission before you even leave the ground, it is Mexico. AFAC permits, possible slot controls, special event fees, and chronic Mexico City congestion will make this the main access bottleneck.

If you need support with Mexico planning or permits, contact CST Flight Services at: info@cstflightservices.com.

Permits

Mexico permits are handled by AFAC. Applications are detailed, documentation must be complete, and approval timelines remain unpredictable. During the tournament, permits will be one of the main reasons flights slip.

Private flights now operate under the AIU (Single Entry Authorisation) introduced in Jan 2024. Despite the name, it is valid for 180 days and allows multiple entries and domestic legs. Processing has improved, but issuance still depends on the destination airport receiving an authorisation number from AFAC HQ in Mexico City. That can take minutes or a couple of days.

Charter permits are typically issued on a one-shot basis. Do not expect new Blanket Permits before the tournament. If you do not already have one, plan for a one-shot authorisation and start early.

For full background, see the OPSGROUP article on Mexico permits.

Slots and fees

Slot controls may tighten for the World Cup period, potentially with priority given to sponsors and VIP traffic. Special event fees are also likely, although details have not yet been published.

Match day pressure

Mexico City airspace is saturated even on a normal weekday. Expect sequencing delays, tight parking, and heavier security on match days. Host cities are Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, with match activity starting June 11.

Mexico City (MMMX/Mexico City, Estadio Azteca) will see the biggest spikes around:

• June 11 Kickoff match
• June 17 Group stage
• June 24 Group stage
• June 30 Knockouts
• July 5 Knockouts

Guadalajara (MMGL/Guadalajara, Estadio Akron) is busiest during the group stage:

• June 11-26 Group stage

Monterrey (MMMY/Monterrey, Estadio BBVA) runs heavy activity through the group stage, followed by a key knockout match:

• June 14-24 Group stage
• June 29 Knockouts

Mexico airports: BizAv practicality

For most BizAv ops, the strategy is simple: avoid MMMX unless absolutely unavoidable and build plans around airports that can realistically support volume.

• MMMX/Mexico City: Not an option for BizAv. Only commercial, military, and government flights are permitted.
• MMSM/Felipe Angeles: Set to play an important role for large-body ops, with approved overnight parking available for wide-body aircraft.
• MMTO/Toluca: The go-to BizAv airport for Mexico City positioning, open H24.
• MMGL/Guadalajara: Capacity is improving. Universal plans to open a new FBO on April 1, with expanded ramp space and private CIQ.
• MMMY/Monterrey: The main BizAv airport for Monterrey ops.
• MMAN/Del Norte: Closer to the Monterrey venue than Saltillo, but more operationally complex under military control. You’ll need to balance operational complexity against drive time.
• MMIO/Saltillo: Around one hour from Monterrey and the best geographic BizAv alternate after MMMY and MMAN. The longer ground transfer may be a limiting factor.

USA

The US will handle most of the tournament traffic, with matches across 11 host cities.

CBP and eAPIS submissions need to be accurate. Double-check passenger data and documents before filing. At busy airports, expect tighter CBP availability, especially on match days and during knockout rounds. Once traffic builds, last-minute changes will be difficult.

Security will be more visible than usual. Expect increased TSA ramp presence, credential checks, and stronger local law enforcement around stadium areas.

Slot controls are likely at major airports including KJFK/John F Kennedy, KEWR/Newark, KLAX/Los Angeles, KATL/Atlanta, and KMIA/Miami, particularly around key match days.

Tournament timeline

New York/New Jersey (KEWR/Newark, KJFK/John F. Kennedy – MetLife Stadium) will be the toughest place to operate during the tournament, especially around the Final on July 19. Expect the biggest spikes around:

• June 13-27 Group stage
• June 30 Knockouts
• July 5 Knockouts
• July 19 Final

Strong alternates include KTEB/Teterboro and KHPN/White Plains.

Around the Final, assume KEWR and KJFK will be at capacity unless parking is confirmed well in advance. If you are flexible, position early to alternates.

Slot and parking pressure will build in the days leading up to July 19.

Demand will stay high across all US host cities once the knockout rounds begin. The US has significant infrastructure and capacity, but flexibility will tighten during peak periods.

Below is a simplified operational view by city:

Atlanta (KATL/Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

• June 15-27 Group stage
• July 1, 7, 15 Knockouts

Boston (KBOS/ Boston Logan – Gillette Stadium)

• June 13-26 Group stage
• June 29 Knockouts
• July 9 Quarterfinal

Dallas (KDFW/Dallas Fort Worth, KDAL/Dallas Love Field – AT&T Stadium)

• June 14-27 Group stage
• June 30 – July 14 Knockouts including a semifinal

Houston (KIAH/Houston George Bush, KHOU/Houston Hobby – NRG Stadium)

• June 14-26 Group stage
• June 29, July 4 Knockouts

Kansas City (KMCI/Kansas City – GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium)

• June 16-27 Group stage
• July 3 Knockouts
• July 11 Quarterfinal

Los Angeles (KLAX/Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium)

• June 12-25 Group stage
• June 28, July 2, 10 Knockouts

Miami (KMIA/Miami – Hard Rock Stadium)

• June 15-27 Group stage
• July 3, 11 Knockouts
• July 18 Third-place match

Philadelphia (KPHL/Philadelphia – Lincoln Financial Field)

• June 14-27 Group stage
• July 4 Knockouts

San Francisco Bay Area (KSFO/San Francisco – Levi’s Stadium)

• June 13-25 Group stage
• July 1 Knockouts

Seattle (KSEA/Seattle – Lumen Field)

• June 15-26 Group stage
• July 1, 6 Knockouts

FIFA PASS: helpful, but not a free pass

The US government and FIFA have rolled out FIFA PASS, a priority visa appointment system for World Cup 2026 ticket holders travelling to US host cities. In simple terms, it gives eligible passengers a faster way to secure their visa interview ahead of the tournament.

For BizAv operators, this may help reduce visa lead times during peak travel periods. It does not replace standard US entry requirements, so visa status should still be verified carefully. Think of it as helpful, but not guaranteed.

Special event fees

Special event fees are very likely at a number of US airports during the tournament, especially in cities hosting knockout matches and the Final. Some airports may publish details early, while others could confirm charges closer to the event, so it is worth keeping an eye on developments.

We update our US Special Event Fees overview throughout the year as new info comes in. If you hear about confirmed fees or local restrictions that are not yet on the list, let us know so we can share the update with everyone.

Canada

Canada hosts fewer matches than the US, but it can be a useful pressure valve.

If you’re arriving from Europe or repositioning between venues, Toronto and Vancouver offer a practical place to park without jumping straight into the busiest US airspace. It can work well as a staging point while you wait for a better slot window south of the border.

Factor in customs. Most BizAv arrivals require CANPASS coordination, so passenger data and timing need to be accurate.

Tournament timeline

Canada’s host cities are Toronto and Vancouver. Match activity begins early in the tournament, so expect demand from mid-June onward, even if overall traffic levels remain lower than the busiest US venues.

Toronto (CYYZ/Toronto Pearson – BMO Field) will see activity around:

• June 12, 17, 20, 23, 26 Group stage
• July 2 Knockouts

Vancouver (CYVR/Vancouver – BC Place) will see activity around:

• June 13, 18, 21, 24, 26 Group stage
• July 2 Knockouts
• July 7 Quarterfinal

Share your experience

Are you already arranging services at any World Cup host airport? Have you run into anything unusual, unexpected, or worth flagging to other operators?

We would love to hear from you! Drop us a note at team@ops.group and let us know what you are seeing on the ground.

Here’s some info on Qatar to help prepare if you’re planning on heading there during the World Cup 2022.

UPDATE: Bombardier are trying to negotiate support for Challengers and Globals / QAS just put their prices up

The dates to know about.

The World Cup takes place from November 20 to December 18. So anytime during those dates (and probably a few days either end) it is going to be just a little bit busier.

Get parking requests, handling requests, and permit requests in early!

Before we get into it, I’m going to share THIS LINK because it takes you through to the full slot coordination page which has a lot of info on to you might need. Not just on slots, but on regulations, handling stuff, and all that jazz.

There is also a new AIP SUP 32/2022 effective Nov 3 which contains , and if you still ain’t sure then daily CDM conferences take place at 0800 UTC, with an ATFM Daily Plan published at 1000 UTC.

The airports to know about.

You have two choices if you want to actually fly to the World Cup – OTHH/Doha International (actually called Hamad) or OTBD/Doha International (actually called Doha).

You should probably also be aware of OTBH/Al Udeid Airbase because it is fairly close to the Double Dohas, has two big runways and has been known to confuse some people.

OTHH/Hamad is the main international airport in Qatar.

You will find:

• 2 giant runways (4250m and 4850m)
• All the runways are CAT II/III
• RFF 10

If you want to head in here, then bear in mind this is the main international airport for the country and it is already busy with scheduled airline traffic.

You can find info on the general fees for operating here in the AIM. 

The official FBO is Qatar Executive reachable at request@qatarexec.com.qa or +974 4022 1700

All their rates and fees are available here. There may be different charges for operating during the World Cup though so get in touch with them soon!

We discovered this updated fee list from QAS. It has jumped up just a little during the World Cup period so don’t rely on old fees…

OTBD/Doha is the older international airport and was pretty much decommissioned for a while there. It looks like it will be used for charter and private stuff, and some airline overflow traffic. 

You have:

• One runway – RWY 15/33
• 4570m / 14,993’
• CAT I ILS 15 / CAT II/III ILS 33
• RFF 9

A quick bit on Slots, because they are quite a big deal.

Slots are already filling up fast. And they are mandatory. And there is an official process for requesting them which you can read about here.

If you haven’t already organised it then get on this fast. I can’t stress that enough. Do it now!

There are a few things to know:

• You will need to pay a 5000USD deposit
• The deposit will be deducted from airport charges
• There will be hefty penalties applied for:
  • No shows or Go shows
  • Misuse (seriously late aircraft)
  • Using a different aircraft type to the one mentioned in the slot request
  • Cancelling on the day

There are exceptions to the penalties. Basically for anything outside the operator’s control:

• If your airplane gets damaged (presumably not through your own fault)
• If the weather is particularly adverse
• Delays due to issues with Air Traffic management
• Industrial action
• Security related stuff (of the mandatory sort)

What sort of penalties are you looking at?

• If you cancel on the day or don’t show up then on top of losing the slot booking deposit, you can expect the following penalties:
  • 100USD per seat (per flight) if you’re a passenger charter flight
  • 20,000USD if you’re a GA/BA flight
  • 30,000USD if you’re a charter cargo flight
• If you just ‘misuse’ your slot then they’ll fine you the following:
  • 5,000 USD for arrivals more than 20 minutes outside the approved slot time, for flights 5 hours or less
  • 5,000USD for arrivals outside 35 minutes of the slot, for flights longer than 5 hours
• Finally, if you take a different type in then expect a 5,000USD fine for each higher ICAO category than the one approved.

We got all this info from here – the official local slot rule spot.

If you sort it all out, get your slot, and plan to use it properly, then on the day, you’ll need to do this:

If you don’t want to stick around in Qatar…

There are some handy and fairly close other places which you might want to consider using instead (if you can’t get parking in Doha). These are probably what you’ll file as your alternates for Doha anyway, given the size and airport numbers in Qatar (2).

Next to Qatar you have Bahrain and OBBI/Bahrain International. A very good alternate, although we are currently checking whether flights direct between the two countries are possible.

Just past Bahrain you have Saudi Arabia, and OEDF/Dammam International. This is a good alternate, although not as good as OBBI. A little bit further into Saudi and you have OERK/Riyadh.

On the other side of Qatar you have some water and then the UAE with OMAA/Abu Dhabi, OMDB/Dubai, OMDW/Another Dubai are all good alternates. We also heard that OMSJ/Sharjah FBO Gama Aviation is offering 7 days free parking there.

Head north and you’ll find OKBK/Kuwait. Also a good alternate. I forgot to put it on the map, it is up there just outside the edge of the picture though.

Some things to know about the country.

You need permits for both landings and overflights. To get all your flight clearances stuff,  try these folk at the Civil Aviation Authority Qatar: doha.comm@caa.gov.qa / khalid.alnsiri@caa.gov.qa / rakesh.attavar@caa.gov.qa / airlines.affairs@caa.gov.qa or AFTN: OTBDYAYX / AFTN: OTBDYFYX

Their AIP is available online, for free, if you need it. You can find it here.

They have a new airspace. Yes indeed. Read about that here.

You really, really can’t take alcohol into Qatar. Or a lot of medication (anything containing Codeine will get you into trouble. Anything else, just carry a prescription for it).

Because Qatar is fairly small and hotel rooms fairly limited, most are requiring tickets to the game so you might have trouble finding space for your crew if they’re overnighting.

It will be mandatory to have a maintenance agreement in place with your ground handling agent if you are operating into Qatar, or else you’ll have to carry your own engineer/maintenance person with you onboard – even for a drop and go.

• Bombardier are negotiating with Qatar Executive for them to provide support for the Challenger and Global series of aircraft. It’s not been finalised yet, but hopefully will all be in place before things ‘kick off’ (if you’ll pardon the pun).

Some Covid stuff.

As of at the moment, Air Crew can enter Qatar for 96 hours. To do this, you need a vaccination certificate and a PCR taken in Qatar within 72 hours of your arrival. Unvaccinated crew will not be allowed in.

A quick definition.

Football = Soccer (if you’re American).

19MAY Operators have cancelled flights to HKMO/Mombassa amid increasing terrorist concerns in the north-east of Kenya; some have repatriated tourists mid-stay. The US Embassy is reducing staff numbers.

19MAY Catastrophic flooding in Serbia and Bosnia has led into increased aid traffic at LYBE/Belgrade and delays and parking restrictions may apply; the flooding is the worst since records began.

LYBE/Belgrade is seeing increased traffic due to aid activity as a result of flooding in the country. Delays of up to 2 hours for non-scheduled traffic possible.

LSGG/Geneva – anticipate high traffic volume and some delays due to EBACE traffic 20-22MAY. Aircraft static display is open on 22MAY.

SKCG/Cartagena, Colombia has restrictions until 28MAY requiring non-scheduled operators to seek permission at least 24H before arrival (though longer is recommended) SKBQ/Barranquilla is a sensible alternate during this period.

VYYY/Yangon, Myanmar is closed 29MAY 0730-0815Z for a live fire drill.

EGLL/London Heathrow ATC Regulation Trial continues, with a pre-tactical EGLLTC regulation of 52 aircraft per hour in place 0400-0800 daily until 31OCT.

HLLB/Benghazi, Libya closed until further notice due to security situation.

LDPL/Pula, Croatia is closed 23MAY 1600-1800Z due emergency exercise.

LIML/Milan Linate will close overnight for runway repairs between 03JUN-04JUL.

ULLI/St. Petersburg SPIEF International Economic Forum 21-24MAY. Refueling is available only on arrival and crews must be at the airport no less than two hours ahead of their departure time. Slots allocated to allow approx 10 arrivals per hour for the Forum. No overnight parking is available for unconnected flights during this period.

UKxx/Ukraine FIR’s (L’viv, Kyiv and Dnipro FIRs) Several airline reports of loss of GPS signals flying through this airspace.

Brazil has issued airport slots for World Cup 2014 on 15MAY, most are allocated already. An AVANAC domestic operating permit is required for all operators before a slot can be requested. Slot validity is 15 minutes. All pax and most crews will require a visa before arrival during World Cup operations – there is no possibility to obtain on arrival.

European Union The European Commission has adopted a new regulation that requires commercial air transport (CAT) operators from outside the European Union (EU), also known as “third-country operators” (TCOs), to obtain a single EU-wide safety authorization to fly to, from or within the EU. The registration requirement applies to CAT TCOs, who must demonstrate to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) compliance with ICAO standards. CAT operators include all airlines and charter operators. The TCO authorization is a single process for all operators flying to the 28 European Union states, EU overseas territories and the four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). The authorization will be a prerequisite to operating in these states and territories. A TCO authorization is not required for operators only overflying the EU member states, EU overseas territories and the four EFTA states. All existing operators must reapply for authorization, even if they hold authorization from individual EU member states. The regulation is in effect from 26MAY and EASA recommends approval be gained within 6 months.

Turkey The previously announced Turkish e-Visa scheme, abolishing Visa on Arrival, scheduled to become effective 10APR14, has been postponed until 31DEC14. https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ for an e-Visa.

United States The FAA’s Flight Standards Service (AFS) has created OpSpec/MSpec/LOA A153, a new and more efficient operations authorization for U.S.-registered aircraft in order to comply with early automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) directives mandated by a growing number of other countries, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region. The new approval is in the final stages of development and is expected to be available to operators at the end of June 2014.

Belarus A visa-free regime will be in place for the official participants of the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship and foreign tourists for the period from 25 April until 31 May 2014. An original or electronic ticket to a game of the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship will become the basis for a visa-free entry in the territory of Belarus for tourists.