Key Aspects:
- Several cruise brands of Carnival Corporation will broadcast 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
- The brands secured the rights to show the matches from sports agency IMG.
- Cruises between June 11 and July 19, 2026 will feature the broadcasts.
Several Carnival Corporation brands have deals in place that will enable them to broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches — all 104 of them, between June 11 and July 19, 2026.
Princess Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and P&O Cruises announced on December 16, 2025 that they had secured the rights to show the matches onboard their ships via the Sport 24 Special Event Channels.
More cruise lines could join them as the matches near and more deals are struck. The wildly popular international soccer tournament happens only every four years and draws a huge global audience.
The matches will be available in guests’ staterooms and also shown in various lounges and, in some cases, at outdoor spaces onboard the ships. On Cunard ships, for instance, the Golden Lion pub will be the spot to gather for the games, while on Holland America Line’s and Princess Cruises’ ships, select matches will be broadcast on the Lido Deck screens.
Holland America Line will also show some matches in its ships’ World Stage theaters, while Princess ships will offer viewing parties, where guests will be invited to wear their favorite team’s jersey and cheer them on.
P&O Cruises will show the matches in its ships’ Brodie’s venue. Also, matches involving England will be featured in the larger SkyDome venue on P&O Cruises and in The Pavilion on Cunard, as both lines cater to the UK market.
FIFA, the International Federation of Football Associations, will hold the matches in various locations in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The sports agency IMG owns the broadcast rights to FIFA events.
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“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,” said Kate Garden, commercial director of IMG.
Wide Range of Summer Cruises Will Feature the Matches
In announcing that the matches will be offered on their cruise ships, the lines promoted some of the voyages that will feature the FIFA games.
On Holland America Line’s Noordam, for instance, guests booking the 7-day “Alaska Explorer” cruise sailing roundtrip from Seattle will be able to enjoy the broadcasts. The voyage, departing on July 5, 2025, will call at Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka.
For a longer cruise, Zuiderdam offers a 14-day Canada/New England cruise roundtrip from Boston on June 20, 2026.
Sample cruises offered on Princess Cruises’ ships that coincide with the FIFA matches include a 7-night Mediterranean sailing on Sun Princess, from Athens to Barcelona on June 20, 2026, and the 9-night “Circle Japan” voyage on Diamond Princess, departing July 2, 2026, roundtrip from Yokohama.
“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,” said Lorna Warren, vice president of hotel operations and guest experience for Princess Cruises.
“By bringing live coverage to all 17 ships, we’re making sure fans can experience incredible destinations and cheer on every match whether they’re soaking up the sun in the Caribbean, taking in the Mediterranean coast, or sailing past glaciers in Alaska,” added Warren.
