Croatia has been in the US Visa Waiver Program since 2021, which makes a trip to watch live sport in the United States far simpler than it used to be — an ESTA, not an embassy appointment.
What is not simple is everything after you land: there are no direct flights from Zagreb, US cities are built around cars in a way Croatian cities are not, and the tipping and sales-tax conventions catch out every first-time visitor. This guide covers the practical side of the trip.
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
You need entry authorization for two countries. Croatia is an EU member state and is in the US Visa Waiver Program, so the process is straightforward.
USA (Dallas + Philadelphia): Croatian citizens do not need a visa. You need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). The fee is $40.27 USD. Apply at the official site only: esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Avoid third-party sites that charge inflated fees. Most applications are approved within hours, but apply well in advance. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. ESTA is valid for two years and allows multiple entries.
Canada (Toronto): Croatian citizens do not need a visa for Canada. You need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). The fee is CAD $7. Apply at canada.ca/eta. Most applications are approved within minutes. The eTA is linked to your passport and valid for up to five years. You only need it if you're flying into Canada; if you enter by land from the US, you just need your passport.
Important: Apply for both the ESTA and the eTA before your trip, not at the airport.
Getting There
You will connect through a European hub:
- Via Frankfurt or Munich (Lufthansa/Croatia Airlines): The most common routing. Direct flights from Frankfurt to Dallas (DFW), Toronto (YYZ), and Philadelphia (PHL). Croatia Airlines codeshares with Lufthansa on transatlantic connections.
- Via London (British Airways): Direct flights from Heathrow to Dallas, Toronto, and Philadelphia.
- Via Amsterdam (KLM): Direct flights to several US/Canadian hubs. Good connection options from Zagreb.
- Via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines): Turkish flies from Zagreb and has direct service to several US cities, including Dallas and New York.
Book as early as possible to lock in current prices. Search flights to Dallas (DFW) -> | Search flights to Toronto (YYZ) -> | Search flights to Philadelphia (PHL) ->
Getting Around
Dallas/Arlington: You will need Uber/Lyft or a rental car. AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth, with no rail service. Dallas has a light rail system (DART) but it does not reach Arlington. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro is enormous and car-dependent.
Toronto: Excellent public transit. BMO Field is at Exhibition Place, accessible via the 509 Harbourfront streetcar from Union Station, or via the 511 Bathurst streetcar from Bathurst Station (on the Line 2 Bloor-Danforth subway) — both terminate at Exhibition Loop right at the venue. You can also arrive via Exhibition GO station. The TTC subway covers the city well. You do not need a car.
Philadelphia: SEPTA regional rail and subway serve the city. Lincoln Financial Field is in the South Philadelphia sports complex, reachable via the Broad Street Line (NRG Station — the last southbound stop) from Center City. Philadelphia is compact and walkable in the downtown core. You do not need a car.
Money, Phones, and Essentials
Currency: US Dollar in Dallas and Philadelphia. Canadian Dollar in Toronto. As of early 2026, 1 EUR is roughly $1.05-1.10 USD and $1.45-1.55 CAD (Croatia adopted the euro in January 2023). Contactless payments work almost everywhere. A multi-currency card (Wise, Revolut) avoids conversion fees.
Sales tax: Prices do not include tax. In Texas, sales tax is 8.25%. In Pennsylvania, 8%. In Ontario, HST is 13%. Budget accordingly.
Tipping: Not optional in the US or Canada. At restaurants, 18-20% of the bill. At bars, $1-2 per drink. For Uber/Lyft, 15-20%. This is how service workers earn their income.
Phone: Check with your Croatian carrier (HT, A1 Hrvatska, Telemach) about North America roaming packages. For a multi-week trip, a prepaid US SIM from T-Mobile or AT&T runs about $30-40 USD.
Plugs: North America uses Type A/B plugs (two flat pins), 120V. Croatian plugs (Type C/F, 230V) will not fit. Bring an adapter.
Healthcare: There is no universal healthcare for visitors in the US. Buy travel insurance covering both the US and Canada before you go. This is not optional.
Food and Drink Costs
- Coffee and pastry: $5-8 USD / $6-10 CAD
- Casual lunch: $15-22 USD / $18-25 CAD
- Sit-down dinner (no drinks): $35-55 USD / $40-65 CAD
- Beer at a bar: $8-12 USD / $9-12 CAD
Dallas has excellent Tex-Mex and BBQ. Toronto is one of the most multicultural food cities in the world. Philadelphia is famous for cheesesteaks, but the restaurant scene goes far beyond that. Portions in America are large; you will not leave hungry.
Weather
Dallas: Hot. Expect 33-38C (91-100F) with humidity. AT&T Stadium has a retractable roof and air conditioning, but pre-match activities outside will be intense. Drink water, wear sunscreen.
Toronto: Warm and pleasant, 22-28C (72-82F). BMO Field is outdoor with no roof.
Philadelphia: Warm, 27-32C (80-90F) with humidity. Lincoln Financial Field is open-air. Late afternoon sun will be a factor.
Fan Culture Differences
Tailgating: American pre-match culture centers on parking lot gatherings with BBQs and drinks, especially at AT&T Stadium. Join in if invited.
Stadium rules: Most venues enforce a clear bag policy (transparent bags only, smaller than 12"x6"x12"). No pyrotechnics, no flares. Security checks are thorough.
Atmosphere: US crowds are enthusiastic but less organized than Croatian supporter sections. Assigned seating is the norm.
Time Zones
Croatia is 7 hours ahead of Dallas (Central Time) and 6 hours ahead of Toronto and Philadelphia (Eastern Time) during summer.
Jet lag: Croatia to the US East Coast is a 6-hour time difference (7 hours to Dallas). Expect 2-4 days to adjust.