What to know about earthquake risks at World Cup host stadiums

World Cup host cities are located in active seismic zones, including Mexico and parts of California.

After deadly back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, the geological threat may be top of mind for World Cup fans as the tournament continues across North America. Several host cities are located in active seismic zones, including Mexico and parts of California.

Here’s what AccuWeather found about how these venues are prepared for earthquakes and what fans should do if an earthquake occurs during a match.

Mexico City is no stranger to earthquake risk. The city sits in a region where strong earthquakes can occur, and its soft soil can amplify shaking, making seismic safety a key part of emergency planning for large crowds.

According to FIFA’s safety guidance for fans attending World Cup matches in Mexico City, venue earthquake protocols are in place. Fans are encouraged to familiarize themselves with evacuation routes, safe areas and meeting points when they arrive at the stadium.

If an earthquake alert sounds during a match, fans should remain calm and follow instructions from stadium staff and local authorities. Fans should evacuate only if directed, take cover when instructed and avoid using elevators.

Mexico City’s early warning system may provide up to 60 seconds of advance notice through audible and mobile alerts before strong shaking begins. That warning time can vary depending on the location and strength of an earthquake, but even a brief alert can give fans a chance to seek cover and listen for instructions.

Earthquakes are also a regular occurrence in California, where Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area are among the World Cup host regions.

Just on Wednesday, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck near Redwood Valley, California, with shaking felt across parts of the state, including the San Francisco Bay Area. Levi’s Stadium, located in Santa Clara, is one of the World Cup venues in the region.

In Southern California, SoFi Stadium sits near the Newport-Inglewood fault zone, one of the region’s notable seismic hazards. The stadium was designed with earthquake risk in mind, including seismic sensors and a complex, decoupled engineering design intended to help the massive venue withstand major shaking.

In the Bay Area, Levi’s Stadium was also built using modern seismic standards, including seismic bracing and structural engineering designed for earthquake-prone California.

For fans, the safest response depends on where they are when shaking begins. Inside a stadium, the most important step is to remain calm and listen for official instructions. Running for exits during shaking can create added danger, especially in crowded concourses, stairwells or seating sections.

If fans are in their seats when shaking starts, they should drop low, protect their head and neck and stay in place until the shaking stops, unless stadium staff instruct otherwise. Fans in concourses should move away from glass, signs, hanging objects or other objects that could fall.

After the shaking stops, fans should watch for hazards such as broken glass, damaged fixtures or blocked exits. They should avoid elevators, follow marked evacuation routes if directed and move to designated safe areas or meeting points.

Fans attending matches in earthquake-prone host cities can prepare before kickoff by noting the nearest exits, identifying a meeting place with their group and keeping phones charged in case communication becomes difficult after an emergency.

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