With matches spread across North America during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many international visitors—and the tour operators planning their journeys—are building itineraries with time between games or pre- and post-match extensions. For clients traveling through key host cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas, there’s an opportunity to offer something unexpected: a seamless and refreshing extension into Western Montana’s Glacier Country.

Easily accessible from Seattle and the West Coast, Glacier Country provides a natural contrast to the energy of the stadium. Here, high-profile match days give way to wide-open landscapes, fresh mountain air and a more relaxed pace—offering travelers a chance to experience a different side of the American West without adding complexity to the itinerary.

Where the bison roam, at the CKST Bison Range. Photo: Andy Austin

An Easy Addition—Not a Detour

Getting to Western Montana is simpler than many expect, especially from key FIFA World Cup gateway cities:

  • Seattle: The closest host city for matches, with an easy 7-hour drive to Western Montana or nonstop flights on Alaska Airlines to both Missoula and Glacier Park International Airport. Amtrak’s Empire Builder also connects Seattle to the region, with stops in Libby, Whitefish, West Glacier, East Glacier and Cut Bank.
  • Los Angeles: Seasonal nonstop service to both Missoula and Glacier Park International Airport on Alaska, United and Delta.
  • San Francisco: Seasonal nonstop service on United and Alaska, or one easy connection via western hubs like Seattle, Denver or Salt Lake City.
  • Dallas: Nonstop service on American Airlines to both Missoula and Glacier Park International Airport, or one connection via western hubs, such as Denver or Salt Lake City.
Flying into the Missoula Montana Airport is easier than ever. Photo: Andy Austin

Once on the ground, both airports are easy to navigate, with short transfer times and minimal traffic congestion—an added benefit for international travelers arriving from long-haul flights.

A Natural Reset Between Matches

After the pace and crowds of host cities, Western Montana offers a complete change of scenery, with opportunities for guided hikes and rafting trips, American Indian history and culture, rodeos, horseback rides and ranch stays, scenic drives with wildlife viewing, and time to simply unplug.

Rodeo is the official state sport of Montana. Photo: Chance Jackson

A visit to Glacier National Park delivers the kind of iconic landscape many international visitors associate with the American West—glacial-carved peaks, alpine lakes, sweeping mountain meadows and the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s a chance to round out a World Cup itinerary with something memorable and distinctly different. Read here for what’s new in Glacier National Park this year.

An Invitation to Extend the Journey

For clients traveling long distances to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding a few days in Western Montana can transform the trip from a single-purpose event into a more well-rounded travel experience.

Between matches, it offers space to breathe, explore and connect—with the landscape, with each other and with a part of the U.S. they may not have otherwise discovered.

Planning Resources

Our homepage is now available in seven languages, making it easier for international travelers to access essential trip-planning information in their preferred language. Explore our in-language pages in UK English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Hindi, and share them with your clients as a helpful resource as they plan their visit to Western Montana’s Glacier Country.

Additionally, we’ve curated three itineraries that fit seamlessly into a larger journey for international FIFA visitors.

One Day in Glacier National Park

With over 1 million acres to explore, Glacier National Park offers endless opportunities for adventure. While a longer stay is ideal, this one-day itinerary highlights key stops and activities to help visitors make the most of a short visit. Please note this itinerary is designed for the season when the Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open, providing access to many of the park’s most iconic locations.

Book an iconic Red Bus tour for clients in Glacier National Park. Photo: Andy Austin

Seven-Day Northwest Montana + Idaho Loop

This seven-day itinerary showcases the scenic highlights of northwest Montana and northern Idaho. From the vast beauty of Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park to the historic charm of Wallace, Idaho—known as the Center of the Universe—and the world-renowned Lake Coeur d’Alene, it offers a balanced mix of outdoor exploration and cultural experiences.

There’s plenty of ways to play on Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake West of the Mississippi. Photo: Andy Austin

Seven-Day Two Nation Vacation Loop

This seven-day, cross-border itinerary offers the opportunity to experience the landscapes of both the U.S. and Canada. Highlights include Kootenay National Park, Banff National Park and Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. With starting points in British Columbia, Calgary or Kalispell, this route combines Rocky Mountain scenery with hot springs, dining, history and local charm.

Clients can learn about American Indian history and culture throughout Western Montana. Photo: HoneyTrek

If you need additional itinerary assistance or have questions about planning a Western Montana extension, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help.

Safe travels,
DP

April 27, 2026

Related: American Indian, Amtrak, Arts and Culture, Bison Range, Blackfeet Nation, Browning, Canada, Direct Flights, East Glacier Park, Eureka, FIT, Flathead Lake, Itinerary, Outdoor Adventure, Tour Operator, Transportation

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