Bosnia & Herzegovina is not in the US Visa Waiver Program, so a trip to watch live sport in the United States starts with a B1/B2 visitor visa and an embassy appointment. Book that first; everything else is straightforward by comparison.
There are no direct flights from Sarajevo, so you will connect through a European hub. This guide covers the visa, the routes, and the things that catch every first-time visitor out once they land — tipping, sales tax that is not on the price tag, and how completely US cities are built around cars.
Which Sport to Go and See
The United States runs five major spectator sports, and which one you can see depends entirely on when you visit.
- College football (late August to early January) is the one most visitors underestimate. Crowds of 100,000 are normal at the biggest programmes, the atmosphere is closer to a derby than anything in US pro sport, and tickets are cheap by comparison.
- NFL (September to February) is the hardest ticket and the biggest occasion. Only nine home games a season, so plan around a specific team's schedule.
- MLB (April to October) is the easiest to see on short notice — 81 home games a season means tickets are cheap and available almost any day of the week in summer.
- NBA and NHL (October to June) are indoor, weatherproof, and the best option for a winter trip. Many arenas host both.
If you are building a trip around it, our schedule pages show every away game for a given team with flights, hotels and tickets for those dates, and the stadium guides cover getting in, where to sit, and what you cannot bring through the gate.
Entry Requirements
This is the most important section. Read it carefully and act immediately if you haven't already.
USA (Los Angeles + Seattle games)
Bosnian citizens are not eligible for ESTA (the Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Bosnia & Herzegovina is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program. You need a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa to enter the USA, and getting one requires an in-person interview at the US Embassy in Sarajevo.
The process:
- Complete the DS-160 online application form at ceac.state.gov
- Pay the visa application fee ($185 USD, roughly 340 BAM at current rates)
- Schedule an interview at the US Embassy in Sarajevo
- Attend the interview with your passport (valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates), DS-160 confirmation, photo, and supporting documents showing ties to Bosnia (employment letter, property records, bank statements, family ties)
- If approved, your passport with the visa is returned within a few business days to a few weeks
** Interview wait times at the US Embassy in Sarajevo can stretch to several months. com/ba/) immediately.
If you already have a valid B1/B2 visa: You're set. Check that your visa hasn't expired and that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond June 2026.
Canada (Toronto match)
Bosnian citizens also need a visa to enter Canada. You can apply for a Canadian eTA only if you hold a valid US visa; otherwise, you need a standard Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
eTA route (if you have a valid US visa): BiH citizens holding a valid US B1/B2 visa can apply for a Canadian eTA online ($7 CAD). This is the fastest path if you're already processing or hold a US visa. Apply at canada.ca/eta.
TRV route (if you don't have a US visa): Apply for a standard visitor visa through the IRCC portal. Processing times vary but plan for 4-8 weeks. Apply early.
Recommended order: Get your US B1/B2 visa first, then use it to apply for the Canadian eTA. This is simpler and faster than applying for a Canadian TRV separately.
For Bosnians with dual nationality
Many Bosnians hold Croatian, Swedish, German, or other EU passports. If you hold a passport from a US Visa Waiver Program country, you can enter the US with an ESTA ($21 USD, apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov). Most EU passport holders can also enter Canada visa-free with an eTA ($7 CAD). Check your second passport's eligibility before going through the BiH visa process.
Getting There
From Bosnia: Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) has no direct flights to North America. You will need to connect through a European hub.
Best routing options from Sarajevo:
- Via Frankfurt (FRA): Lufthansa connects Sarajevo to Frankfurt, with onward flights to Toronto, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Strong option for the full itinerary.
- Via Vienna (VIE): Austrian Airlines connects Sarajevo to Vienna, with connections to all three cities via Star Alliance partners.
- Via Munich (MUC): Another Lufthansa hub with good North American connections.
This avoids backtracking to your entry city. Inter-city flights within North America (Toronto to LA, LA to Seattle) are frequent and relatively affordable if booked early.
For the diaspora: Bosnians in the US — particularly in St. Louis (the largest Bosnian community outside Europe, with an estimated 70,000+), Chicago, and other cities — will have a much shorter journey. St. 5 hours.
Book as early as possible. Fares purchased now are likely to be significantly cheaper than last-minute prices.
Search flights to Toronto (YYZ) -> | Search flights to Los Angeles (LAX) -> | Search flights to Seattle (SEA) ->
Getting Around
Toronto: BMO Field is in the Exhibition Place area, walkable from downtown Toronto (about 25 minutes from Union Station). The TTC streetcar (Route 509 or 511) runs from Union Station directly to Exhibition Place. The city has excellent public transit: TTC subway, streetcars, and buses cover the core. Uber and Lyft operate throughout the city. If you're flying in, Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) is about 30 minutes from downtown via the UP Express train ($12.35 CAD, runs every 15 minutes).
Los Angeles: SoFi Stadium is in Inglewood, south of downtown LA. On game days, LA Metro runs a free shuttle to SoFi from the LAX/Metro Transit Center station, served by the C Line (Green) and K Line (Pink). From downtown LA, take the E Line to Expo/Crenshaw and transfer to the K Line to reach the LAX/Metro Transit Center. LA is famously car-dependent, but the game-day shuttle setup works well. Uber and Lyft are available everywhere but expect surge pricing around the stadium. From LAX, the stadium is about 15-20 minutes by car (traffic dependent — could be much longer). The new LAX people mover connects to the Metro C/K Lines at Aviation/Century station.
Seattle: Lumen Field is in the SoDo district, right next to the Stadium light rail station on Sound Transit's 1 Line. From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the light rail runs directly to the Stadium station (about 35 minutes, $3.25). Downtown Seattle is walkable to the stadium (about 15-20 minutes from Pioneer Square). This is the easiest stadium to reach by public transit of your three games.
Inter-city travel: Toronto to LA is a 5-hour flight, with many daily options. LA to Seattle is about 2.5 hours, also frequent. Book internal flights early. Alternatively, the LA to Seattle leg can be done as a scenic road trip up the Pacific Coast Highway (about 18-20 hours of driving), but only if you have time and a rental car.
Driving: Your Bosnian driving licence is valid in the US for tourist stays, though carrying an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside it is recommended. You drive on the right, same as Bosnia. In Canada, your BiH licence plus IDP is also accepted.
Money, Phones, and Essentials
Currency: Three currencies across your trip. US Dollar in Los Angeles and Seattle. Canadian Dollar in Toronto. As of early 2026, $1 USD is roughly 1.90 BAM, and $1 CAD is roughly 1.35 BAM. Contactless payments (Visa, Mastercard) work almost everywhere in all three countries. A multi-currency card (Wise, Revolut) is the cheapest way to pay and avoids double conversion fees.
Sales tax: Prices in the US and Canada do not include tax. In California (LA), sales tax is about 10.25%. In Washington state (Seattle), about 10.35%. In Ontario (Toronto), HST is 13%. Budget accordingly.
Tipping: Tipping is mandatory in both the US and Canada. At restaurants, tip 18-20% of the bill. At bars, $1-2 per drink. For Uber/Lyft rides, 15-20%. This is how service workers earn their income. Not tipping is considered extremely rude. Budget for it on top of tax.
Phone: Check with your Bosnian carrier (BH Telecom, m:tel, HT Eronet) about roaming packages. For the best deal, pick up a prepaid US SIM at the airport or a T-Mobile store ($30-40 USD for a few weeks of data). eSIM services like Airalo work too and can be set up before you leave. For the Toronto leg, check if your US prepaid plan includes Canada roaming, or get a separate Canadian SIM.
Plugs: The US and Canada use Type A/B plugs (two flat pins), 120V. Bosnian plugs (Type C/F, 230V) will not fit without an adapter. Bring one. Most phone and laptop chargers auto-switch voltage, but check hair dryers and other appliances before plugging them in.
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian speakers exist in significant numbers in many US and Canadian cities, especially St. Louis, Chicago, and Toronto. Stadium staff, transit, and restaurants operate in English. Download Google Translate's offline English pack before you travel if needed.
Healthcare: There is no public healthcare for visitors in the US or Canada. An emergency room visit in the US can cost thousands of dollars. Buy travel insurance before you go. This is not optional.
Halal Food
Toronto: Excellent halal options. Toronto has one of the largest Muslim communities in North America. The Thorncliffe Park, Scarborough, and Mississauga areas are packed with halal restaurants. Near BMO Field, the King West and Queen West neighborhoods have halal-friendly options. The Halal Guys, Paramount Fine Foods, and Lazeez Shawarma are reliable chains throughout the city.
Los Angeles: Strong halal scene. Anaheim, Garden Grove, and the greater Orange County area have a significant Muslim community with many halal restaurants. Closer to SoFi Stadium, Inglewood and the surrounding South LA neighborhoods have halal options. The Halal Guys operates multiple LA locations. Little Arabia in Anaheim (~30 minutes from the stadium) has a concentration of Middle Eastern restaurants.
Seattle: Good options. The Rainier Valley and Columbia City neighborhoods have halal restaurants reflecting Seattle's East African and South Asian communities. Near Lumen Field, the International District has some halal-friendly spots. Use Zabihah or Google Maps to find current options.
Prayer spaces: All three cities have multiple mosques. Use the Muslim Pro or Zabihah apps for locations and prayer times. Toronto's Islamic Foundation of Toronto and the Masjid Toronto are centrally located. In LA, the Islamic Center of Southern California is a major mosque. In Seattle, the Idriss Mosque in the Central District is close to downtown.
Food and Drink Costs
North America is more expensive than Bosnia for dining out. Rough budgeting guide (USD unless noted):
- Coffee: $5-8 USD (9.50-15.20 BAM)
- Casual lunch (fast-casual, food truck): $15-22 USD (28.50-41.80 BAM)
- Sit-down dinner (no drinks): $35-55 USD (66.50-104.50 BAM)
- Dinner with drinks: $55-85 USD (104.50-161.50 BAM)
- Beer at a bar: $8-14 USD depending on city
- Grocery run for a day: $20-30 USD (38-57 BAM)
Toronto prices are comparable to US cities but in Canadian dollars (roughly 25-30% less when converted from BAM). Los Angeles is one of the most expensive dining markets in the US. Seattle is slightly more affordable than LA but still a major city. Portions are large. Budget $50-80 USD per day for food if you mix casual and sit-down meals. Cooking in an Airbnb kitchen cuts costs significantly.
Weather
Toronto: Pleasant. Mid-June in Toronto means 20-26 C with moderate humidity. Bring sunscreen and a hat. Evening temperatures drop to a comfortable 15-18 C. Similar to a nice late spring day in Sarajevo.
Los Angeles: Warm and dry. Late June in LA means 24-30 C with low humidity. SoFi Stadium has a translucent roof that provides shade but is not fully enclosed — it stays comfortable inside. Evenings cool to 18-20 C. LA's dry heat will feel familiar to anyone from Herzegovina.
Seattle: Mild. Late June in Seattle means 18-24 C. Seattle's summer weather is typically pleasant and dry, though rain is always possible. Lumen Field is open-air. Bring a light layer for the evening.
Fan Culture
This time, the qualification drama — penalties against Italy — has united the country like few things can. Expect Bosnian fans to bring serious energy, amplified by the massive diaspora population in North America.
The diaspora factor: St. Louis alone has an estimated 70,000+ Bosnians, making it the largest Bosnian community outside Europe. Chicago, New York, Jacksonville, and several other US cities have significant Bosnian populations. Toronto and other Canadian cities also have sizable communities. The atmosphere will be emotional.
BMO Field, SoFi Stadium, and Lumen Field all support this culture. Bring your flags, drums, and scarves. Cevapi on the grill in the parking lot is not out of the question.
Stadium rules: Bag policies are strict. Most North American stadiums enforce a clear bag policy: only transparent bags smaller than 12"x6"x12" are allowed. Leave your regular bag at the hotel. You can buy a clear bag cheaply at any Target, Walmart, or Canadian Tire. No pyrotechnics, no smoke bombs, no flares.
Atmosphere: US and Canadian sports crowds are enthusiastic but less structured than European ultras culture. All stadiums have assigned seats. Make your section count.
Time Zones
Bosnia is on Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) during June. Toronto is on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4), so 6 hours behind Bosnia. Los Angeles and Seattle are on Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7), 9 hours behind Bosnia.
| Match | Local Time | Bosnia (CEST) |
|---|---|---|
| Canada vs Bosnia (Toronto, ET) | Fri 12 Jun, 3:00 PM | Fri 12 Jun, 9:00 PM |
| Switzerland vs Bosnia (Los Angeles, PT) | Thu 18 Jun, 3:00 PM | Fri 19 Jun, 12:00 AM |
| Bosnia vs Qatar (Seattle, PT) | Wed 24 Jun, 3:00 PM | Thu 25 Jun, 12:00 AM |
The cafes in Sarajevo, Mostar, and Tuzla will be open.
For you in North America: All three games are 3 PM local kickoffs. Your mornings are free for exploring. The 6-hour time difference to the East Coast and 9-hour difference to the West Coast are significant. Give yourself at least two days to adjust after arriving. Jet lag heading west (which stretches your day longer) is generally easier to manage than heading east.