A taste of the World Cup is headed to Fayetteville in March.
Experience Fayetteville, the city’s tourism arm, announced on Wednesday that Fayetteville has been selected as the host city for the Club América Golden Clash 2026, a major international soccer event scheduled for March 28, 2026. The match will be held at the 76,000-seat Razorback Stadium, home of the University of Arkansas football program.
The Golden Clash will feature Club América’s men’s and women’s first teams in a marquee doubleheader format, creating one of the most significant elite club soccer showcases ever held in Arkansas, according to a press release. Fayetteville is among a select group of U.S. cities capable of hosting international soccer events at this scale.
“Being selected as the host city for the Golden Clash is a major win for Fayetteville and northwest Arkansas,” said Ryan Hauck, CEO of Experience Fayetteville. “This event reflects our city’s growing reputation as a destination capable of hosting world-class sporting events while delivering meaningful economic and cultural impact for our community.”
Club América is widely recognized as the most-watched soccer club in the United States, with more than 15 million fans nationwide and a global fanbase exceeding 45 million supporters. Soccer overall now reaches more than 100 million fans in the U.S., growing faster than any other major sport.
The Golden Clash is strategically timed ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across North America, placing Fayetteville within the broader international spotlight as global interest in the sport accelerates.
Beyond match day, the Golden Clash is expected to include a multi-day series of fan events, community activations and team experiences, extending the event’s tourism and economic impact throughout the Fayetteville area.
“The inclusion of both the men’s and women’s teams reflects the continued rise of women’s soccer at the professional level,” Tina Archer-Cope, vice president of sales for Experience Fayetteville, said. “This event represents not only elite competition, but also a celebration of culture, community, and the growing influence of the sport across the country.”
Tickets will go on sale to the public on Jan. 30 at 12 p.m. CT via this link.
For travel information, accommodations, and things to do while visiting Fayetteville, go to experiencefayetteville.com.
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