World Cup Matches Next to MLB Parks Create Off Days and Split Series

World Cup matches at sites adjacent to Major League Baseball parks are prompting schedule changes for teams in those markets. The tournament is being held at 16 venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including 11 cities that are home to 13 MLB clubs. Shared parking lots connect several NFL stadiums hosting Cup games with nearby baseball facilities.

City will be off on a Saturday when Ecuador plays Curaçao at the NFL stadium next to the local ballpark. Officials said the club plans to attend the match. The team paused a series on Wednesday when England played its Cup opener.

Philadelphia, the local club will be off on a Friday during a home series because Brazil is scheduled to play Haiti at the nearby NFL stadium. Texas and Kansas City are both off for round-of-32 matches on July 3. The Royals are set to begin an unusual Saturday-through-Monday series against the Phillies that weekend.

Either the Mets or Yankees have a home game on each of the eight dates World Cup matches are scheduled at MetLife Stadium, including the July 19 final. Yankee Stadium is about 14 miles from the venue and Citi Field is about 24 miles away. World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium will be roughly 13 miles from one Los Angeles ballpark and 35 miles from another.

Either the Dodgers or Angels will play at home on six of the eight match dates in Inglewood. Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Miami and Toronto will play multiple home games that coincide with World Cup matches in their markets. The Mariners and Red Sox adjusted a planned doubleheader after match times at Lumen Field were set for noon local time on a Friday.