The world’s biggest sporting event is coming to North America. And for many fans from around the globe, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring them closer than ever to the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination.

Michigan’s Mackinac Island won’t be hosting any of the matches on the soccer field at Great Turtle Park, of course. But the charming, car-free vacation spot is accessible from each of the 16 stadium venues across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

While you’re traveling to the tournament, why not plan a visit to the historic island known as the Jewel of the Great Lakes?

A two-horse carriage passes a row of American flags along the porch of Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel

Why is Mackinac Island Worth a Stop?

For three years in a row, Mackinac Island has been voted the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination. There are many reasons Mackinac Island is so beloved. Here are just a few of the many things that make it stand out:

  • Car-Free Charm – Motor vehicles never became part of the culture on Mackinac Island because village leaders way back in 1898 voted to ban “horseless carriages.” As a result, horse-drawn carriages and bicycles rule the roads, giving the whole island a quaint aura that’s super appealing in this day and age.

 

  • Historical Vibe – Partly because of all the horses and bicycles, visiting Mackinac Island feels like taking a step back in time. There’s also lovely Victorian architecture around town, with many places to stay and downtown buildings dating to the 1800s. Mackinac Island’s historic Fort Mackinac goes back even farther, built by the British during the American Revolution in the 1700s.

 

  • Stunning Scenery – Surrounded by water, Mackinac Island naturally offers gorgeous sights to see. And because of high bluffs (which prompted construction of the fort in the first place) the views at elevation are simply awesome. From Mackinac Island restaurants with waterfront patios to overlooks up high in the woods, there are eye-popping vistas all over.

 

 

  • Perfect Summer Weather – Mackinac Island is known as America’s Coolcation Destination for good reason. Summer temperatures are simply sublime, with average highs in the 70s and nightly lows in the 50s. The island’s pleasant climate offers a refreshing change from the intense summer heat and humidity found at many of the 2026 World Cup venues.

A boy on top deck of a Mackinac Island ferry boat points at the Mackinac Bridge

Where is Mackinac Island?

Centuries ago, before the American colonies declared independence, Mackinac Island was part of New France. In fact, the silent “c” in Mackinac comes from the language of French fur traders who roamed the Upper Great Lakes. As control of North America shifted over time, Mackinac Island came under the jurisdiction of the British and, ultimately, the USA. It is located in Michigan, one of the 50 American states.

You may know Michigan from its two distinct peninsulas surrounded by the Great Lakes, the world’s largest group of freshwater lakes. Mackinac Island is in the water between Michigan’s two peninsulas near the mighty Mackinac Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere.

By latitude, Mackinac Island is a little north of the 45th parallel, on a level with Bordeaux, France and Turin, Italy as well as Belgrade, Serbia and Harbin, China.

The wing of an airplane with the entirety of Mackinac Island visible in the water below

Getting To Mackinac Island From 2026 World Cup Venues

Of the 16 stadiums scheduled to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, Mackinac Island is nearest the venue in Toronto, Canada (which is actually south of the island). A handful of the U.S. World Cup host cities also are within a day’s drive of Mackinac Island including Philadelphia, New York, Kansas City, Boston and Atlanta.

From other 2026 FIFA World Cup venues including those in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver and the three stadiums in Mexico – Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey – Mackinac Island is accessible by flight.

Here’s a quick rundown of the simplest way to reach Mackinac Island from each World Cup host city. Note that a regular schedule of passenger ferries is in effect only during Mackinac Island’s prime visitor season, from May through October:

 

  • Atlanta – Fly direct to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) and charter a flight to Mackinac Island Airport or to Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), where you can catch a shuttle to the Mackinac Island ferry dock in Mackinaw City. Drive time from Atlanta is about 15 hours.

 

  • Boston – Fly direct to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) and charter a flight to Mackinac Island Airport or to Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), where you can catch a shuttle to the Mackinac Island ferry dock in Mackinaw City. Drive time from Boston is about 14 hours.

 

  • Dallas – Fly direct to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) and charter a flight to Mackinac Island Airport or to Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), where you can catch a shuttle to the Mackinac Island ferry dock in Mackinaw City.

 

 

  • Houston – Fly direct to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) and charter a flight to Mackinac Island Airport or to Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), where you can catch a shuttle to the Mackinac Island ferry dock in Mackinaw City.

 

 

 

 

  • Miami – Fly direct from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) and charter a flight to Mackinac Island Airport or to Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), where you can catch a shuttle to the Mackinac Island ferry dock in Mackinaw City.

 

 

  • New York/New Jersey – Fly direct from Newark (EWR) or LaGuardia (LGA) to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) and charter a flight to Mackinac Island Airport or to Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), where you can catch a shuttle to the Mackinac Island ferry dock in Mackinaw City. Drive time from New York is about 13 hours.

 

  • Philadelphia – Fly direct to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) and charter a flight to Mackinac Island Airport or to Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), where you can catch a shuttle to the Mackinac Island ferry dock in Mackinaw City. Drive time from Philadelphia is about 13 hours.

 

 

 

  • Toronto – Fly direct to Sault Ste. Marie (YAM) and then rent a car or catch a ride to the Mackinac Island ferry dock in St. Ignace. Drive time from Toronto is about 7 hours.

 

Soccer players battle for the ball during a Mackinac Island Cup match in Great Turtle Park

Soccer on Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is home to Great Turtle Park, where pickup soccer games are played all summer involving local residents, visitors and seasonal workers who come from all over the world. The field in the past has also hosted college soccer games involving teams from Northern Michigan University and Michigan Premier Soccer League competition.

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