Five Cruise Lines to Show All 2026 World Cup Matches at Sea

Five major cruise brands, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises and Cunard, will broadcast live coverage of all 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup across their fleets via Sport 24 Special Event Channels.

The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The cruise lines said matches will be available on stateroom televisions and in a range of public venues onboard.

What the onboard World Cup coverage includes

The cruise lines’ agreements with IMG are designed to let guests follow the full tournament while sailing during the peak summer season. Along with in-cabin viewing, several brands plan larger communal screenings for select fixtures, depending on the ship.

• Tournament schedule: Coverage is set for June 11 to July 19, 2026, spanning all 104 matches.
• How matches will air onboard: Guests will watch via the Sport 24 Special Event channel(s), with access in staterooms and additional public-venue screenings on some ships.
• Where guests can watch: Depending on brand and ship, viewings may include theaters, lounges, poolside screens, and other dedicated venues.

Holland America Line and Seabourn: stateroom access plus shared screenings

Holland America Line said guests will be able to watch matches live on stateroom televisions, with select marquee games also shown in larger onboard spaces such as the Lido Pool big screen or the World Stage theater on certain ships.

Michael Smith, Holland America Line senior vice president of guest experience and product development, said the company sees live coverage as a planning benefit for travelers booking summer 2026 itineraries. “Guests can confidently book their cruise for next summer knowing that if their national or favorite team advances, they will be able to watch the match from the comfort of their stateroom,” Smith said.

Seabourn said it will carry live coverage across its three ocean ships, with matches available in guest suites as well as in onboard settings where fans can gather. Mark Tamis, president of Seabourn, said, “We know how important it is for our guests to experience these matches live while traveling to extraordinary destinations on board our ships.”

Broader rollout across Princess, P&O Cruises and Cunard

Princess Cruises, another Carnival Corporation brand, said it will make the tournament available across its 17-ship fleet and plans to create special viewing experiences on certain sailings, including team jersey parties shown on outdoor deck screens.

P&O Cruises and Cunard also outlined shipboard screenings tied to larger social settings. P&O Cruises plans to use its SkyDome venue for match viewing, while Cunard said it will show games featuring England’s team and other major fixtures in venues including The Pavilion and the Golden Lion pub.

Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK and P&O Cruises, said the aim is complete live coverage across the P&O Cruises and Cunard fleets next summer, linking live sport with onboard shared experiences.

IMG and Sport 24: “bringing the spirit of the stadiums to sea”

IMG, which secured the broadcasting rights, is providing the distribution framework through Sport 24 Special Event Channels. Kate Garden, Commercial Director at IMG, said, “From private staterooms to open-air decks, guests will be able to enjoy the atmosphere and excitement of the tournament as we bring the spirit of the stadiums to sea next summer.”

Sailing during the tournament: example itineraries highlighted by cruise lines

With the World Cup overlapping the summer cruise calendar, some itineraries have been promoted as ways to travel while keeping up with the matches. Holland America Line pointed to the 7-day Alaska Explorer cruise on Noordam departing July 5, 2026. Princess Cruises highlighted sailings including a 7-night Mediterranean cruise on Sun Princess departing from Athens on June 20, 2026.

Lorna Warren, Vice President of Hotel Operations and Guest Experience for Princess Cruises, said, “The FIFA World Cup is one of the most fan-driven global events, and our guests shouldn’t have to choose between exploring the world and watching the world’s best teams compete.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and how many matches are scheduled?

The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and includes 104 matches.

Which cruise lines will broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2026 onboard?

Holland America Line, Seabourn, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises and Cunard have announced plans to show all 104 matches across their fleets via Sport 24 Special Event Channels.

Where can guests watch matches while cruising?

Matches are expected to be available on stateroom televisions, with additional screenings in public venues depending on the brand and ship, including theaters, lounges, poolside screens, and dedicated spaces such as SkyDome on P&O Cruises ships and The Pavilion and the Golden Lion pub on Cunard.

Will the broadcasts be available fleetwide?

The cruise lines have said coverage will be available across their fleets. Seabourn specified that the agreement covers its three ocean ships, while Princess Cruises said coverage will extend across its 17-ship fleet.

The companies said the onboard programming is intended to let passengers follow the tournament live while staying on their planned itineraries during the June 11 to July 19, 2026, World Cup window.