Press Release
Croatia national football team players training on field during World Cup preparation

April 24, 2026

Make Alexandria, Virginia Your World Cup Homebase 

CONTACTS: 
Andrew Postal,  apostal@visitalexva.com or 805-390-3684 
Karishma Singh, ksingh@visitalexva.com or 703-652-5373 

Stay in the City Team Croatia Selected for Easy Access to North American World Cup Games— Where Global Soccer Meets an Inclusive Story 

For World Cup fans traveling to North America, Alexandria, Virginia offers convenience and a place that feels like home. Located just minutes from Washington, D.C., Alexandria combines seamless transportation, walkable neighborhoods, and a proud inclusive community with the kind of atmosphere that turns a tournament trip into a lasting memory. 

With its own Amtrak station and easy access to three major airports, Alexandria is easy to navigate for travelers, families and fans. Once here, visitors can enjoy a Travel + Leisure Top 5 Best U.S. City and a Condé Nast Traveler Top 3 Best Small U.S. City at their own pace. Nationally recognized for its rich history, beautifully preserved architecture and welcoming, walkable atmosphere, Alexandria is a compelling destination. From waterfront dining and historic attractions to a vibrant arts and culture scene, hundreds of independent restaurants and shops, and easy connections to the nation’s capital by water taxi, Metrorail, car or bicycle, Alexandria offers visitors an authentic experience with global appeal. 

That international appeal is underscored by the Croatian national football team, the Vatreni, choosing Alexandria as its official Team Base Camp for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The team trains at Episcopal High School, one of the few sites in the United States featuring a premier Bermuda grass field comparable to the world’s most iconic stadiums. While the training grounds remain private, the Vatreni presence places Alexandria at the center of global soccer activity, giving fans the opportunity to stay where preparation meets place. While the World Cup may bring you here, Alexandria gives you a story to take home. Unlock Your Story in Alexandria. 

The 2026 “Fan Voyage”: Alexandria as the World Cup’s Ultimate Homebase 

Travel Trend: Fan Voyage, Atmosphere-Driven Travel, The New Sports Explorer  

New research from YouGov Sport reveals that sports tourism is no longer just about the ticket; 40% of travelers say that “atmosphere and experience” are the primary motivators for traveling to a live sports event, while 30% are driven by the opportunity to visit a new place. Alexandria is capturing this “Fan Voyage” trend by positioning itself as the ultimate World Cup homebase—where global fandom meets authentic local culture.  

In Alexandria, the experience comes to life one stop at a time. Raise a glass to your favorite team with a thoughtfully curated global wine from Wine Gallery 108 in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Owner Lisa Katic selects wines carefully in an accessible, artisanal way, with her family’s Croatian heritage as a guiding light. Then, when you’re hungry, walk just a few blocks up to Old House Cosmopolitan Grill. For nearly a quarter century, Ivica “Ivan” Svalina and his wife, Amela Svalina, have brought a passion for food to Northern Virginia’s dining scene, inviting guests to savor classic dishes like crispy schnitzel, cheesy Spätzle, and comforting pasta dishes like Käse Spätzle. A nod to Ivan’s familial ties to Croatia is reflected in the menu itself, which integrates beloved specialties like Zagrebački Odrezak (Croatian Schnitzel), Ćevapčići, and Branzino, a fish commonly enjoyed throughout coastal Croatia. Writers and World Cup fans can also catch a game, an international beer and a bite at Lighthorse Restaurant.  

LaPluma Coffee & Wine is turning match days into a full-on celebration with jersey discounts, goal-time coffee pours, country-inspired drinks, raffles and interactive “Pick Your Team” rewards as teams advance. Fans can also enjoy limited-time World Cup combo specials designed for sharing, plus festive décor in support of the games and the Croatian team. 

Seamless Access to North American Match Cities from Alexandria  

Travel Trend: Hub-and-Spoke Travel, Multi-City Match Hopping 

Strategically positioned within easy access of eastern World Cup match cities, Alexandria offers a central hub for fans following their favorite team. Fans can keep a consistent homebase in Alexandria and leverage the city’s unparalleled transit links to reach the team’s group-stage matches in cities close as just a few hours away, via train, plane or automobile. 

For Team Croatia’s matches specifically: 

  • June 17 (England vs. Croatia): Catch a direct, 3-hour flight from Reagan National (DCA) or Dulles (IAD) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to see the opener at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, TX. 
  • June 23 (Panama vs. Croatia): Fly direct from DCA or IAD to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) in just under 2 hours for the clash at BMO Field. 
  • June 27 (Croatia vs. Ghana): Take a stress-free Amtrak ride directly from the Alexandria Station to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station (approx. 3 hours) for this high-stakes match at Lincoln Financial Field. 

For fans staying in and exploring Alexandria, events, including watch parties for various World Cup matches, are being planned across Alexandria’s neighborhoods. The Alexandria Soccer Association (ASA) brings soccer culture to life. ASA will be hosting several World Cup watch parties and events: 

  • June 12 at 8:30pm: “Pitches and Pints” watch party at Piece Out in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood 
  • June 19 at 3pm: Family Watch Party at Gustave Boulangerie in Del Ray 
  • Throughout summer: Youth training camps led by professional Croatian coaches  

Together, these offerings make match days feel less like one-off spectacles and more like a natural extension of the local community. Visitors will be treated to the city’s shoppable and walkable brick-lined streets, fulfilling the modern fan’s desire for both sporty excitement and a high-end travel discovery with proximity to key North American host cities.  

The Ultimate 2026 Road Trip Where Soccer Meets America’s 250th  

Travel Trend: Heritage-Sports Fusion, The Nostalgic Road Trip Revival 

The summer of 2026 is witnessing the resurgence of the “old-school road trip,” as travelers seek out the scenic autonomy of the open road. This nostalgia-driven shift coincides with the merging of two cultural milestones: FIFA World Cup 2026™ and America’s 250th anniversary. Strategically located along the Mid-Atlantic corridor, Alexandria is the premier homebase for fans turning their match schedule into a “Great American Road Trip.” This trend is backed by the 2026 Hilton Trend Report, which reveals that 71% of Americans plan to drive for their next vacation and 76% of travelers choose the road over flying to embrace spontaneity, making Alexandria’s walkable, riverfront retreat the perfect road trip stop for North American matches. 

On the same weekend the World Cup kicks off, Alexandria invites road-trippers to park their cars and soak in the riverfront atmosphere during Sails on the Potomac (June 12-14, 2026). The event features a fleet of majestic tall ships and live local music as part of the ALX Jazz Fest. Beyond the waterfront festivities, travelers can explore the city’s inclusive heritage at the Freedom House Museum or take in the temporary public art installation Time and Place outside the Alexandria Circuit Court, where Richmond-based artist Sandy Williams IV asks viewers to contemplate the meaning of the Declaration of Independence. By blending global sports excitement with the timeless appeal of the American highway, Alexandria offers a multi-layered itinerary for the modern nomad looking to experience history in the making. 

World Cup Travelers Invited to Base Themselves in a Historic, Not Static, Waterfront Destination 

Travel Trend: Base Camp Travel, Walkability, Historic Travel, Experiential Travel 

As the World Cup draws an estimated 1.2 million international travelers, many fans are looking for a homebase that contains a multitude of offerings. As a historic, not static, waterfront destination, Alexandria blends history with contemporary culture, inviting visitors to unwind between match days with wellness-forward stays, outdoor trails, scenic waterfront strolls and boutique accommodations ideal for recharging. 

At the same time, travelers can explore more than 200 independent shops and restaurants, enjoy global dining without large crowds, and easily connect to nearby match cities like Philadelphia and New York/New Jersey via direct Amtrak service.  

What makes Alexandria especially timely for World Cup travelers is its convergence of history and contemporary living. Travelers aren’t just observing the past; they’re engaging with it—dining in centuries-old buildings, walking historic streets that now buzz with modern energy, and staying in accommodations that honor heritage while offering modern amenities. It is experiential travel layered with meaning, in addition to convenience. 

As global sporting events grow larger and more logistically complex, destinations like Alexandria reflect a shift in how fans want to travel: fewer check-ins, more immersion; fewer crowds, more connection. Travelers are invited to unlock their own Alexandria story in the backdrop of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.