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FIFA World Cup 2026™ — Host City Guide

Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles

Eight matches. One of the world's great cities. Here's everything you need to make the most of it — from SoFi Stadium to the best taco stand in Inglewood.

8Matches
70KCapacity
Jun 12First Kickoff
Jul 10Last Match
The Venue

SoFi Stadium

One of the most technologically advanced sports facilities ever built, SoFi Stadium sits in Inglewood, six miles from LAX. Opened in 2020, it's home to the Rams and Chargers — and this summer, the world's game.

FIFA Name
Los Angeles Stadium
Official designation during the tournament
Address
1001 Stadium Drive
Inglewood, CA 90301
Capacity
70,240
Spectators per match
Playing Surface
Natural Grass
Fixed translucent roof — all weather
🕐
Arrive early. FIFA recommends at least 2 hours before kickoff. For USA home matches, plan on 3 hours — crowds will be massive and security lines long.
🎒
Clear bags only. Max 12"×6"×12". No backpacks. Check FIFA's official guidelines before matchday — World Cup security rules are stricter than standard NFL game policy.
💳
Cashless venue. SoFi Stadium is entirely cashless. Food and beverages inside are stadium-priced — eat a real meal in Inglewood before you go in.
Match Schedule

8 Matches in LA

Los Angeles hosts five group stage matches, two Round of 32 games, and the Quarterfinal. All times Pacific — ET in parentheses.

Group Stage
Round of 32
Quarterfinal
12June
USA vs. Paraguay
Group D · 6:00 PM PT (9 PM ET) · SoFi Stadium
Group D
15June
Iran vs. New Zealand
Group G · 6:00 PM PT (9 PM ET) · SoFi Stadium
Group G
18June
Switzerland vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Group · 12:00 PM PT (3 PM ET) · SoFi Stadium
Group
21June
Belgium vs. Iran
Group G · 12:00 PM PT (3 PM ET) · SoFi Stadium
Group G
25June
USA vs. Türkiye
Group D · 7:00 PM PT (10 PM ET) · SoFi Stadium
Group D
28June
Group A 2nd vs. Group B 2nd
Round of 32 · Time TBC · SoFi Stadium
Round of 32
2July
Group H Winner vs. Group J Runner-Up
Round of 32 · 12:00 PM PT (3 PM ET) · SoFi Stadium
Round of 32
10July
Quarterfinal — TBD vs. TBD
Quarterfinal · 9:00 AM PT (12 PM ET) · SoFi Stadium
Quarterfinal
LA's opening match — USA vs. Paraguay on June 12 — will be one of the most watched sporting events in American history. Book hotels and restaurants for that week immediately.
Getting There

Transportation

Skip the car. The I-405 near SoFi is consistently among the worst traffic corridors in the country — on a match day with 70,000 fans, it will be impassable. Metro is your best move.

🚇
Metro Rail + Shuttle
Enhanced Metro service runs for every match. Take the K Line (Crenshaw) or C Line (Green) to the Inglewood/LAX Transit Center area. Free dedicated shuttles run to the stadium gate every 10 minutes on match days. Pre-load your TAP card via the app before you arrive.
$1.75 each way · Recommended
🚌
Park & Ride
15 park-and-ride lots across LA County, including two in Orange County. Park free weekends at Norwalk Metro station, ride the C Line to LAX Transit Center, then catch the free stadium shuttle. 300 dedicated buses per match.
Free parking + $1.75 fare
🚗
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft will operate but designated drop zones are a 20–30 minute walk from the gates. Expect heavy surge pricing on match days — budget $50–100+ each way for USA matches. Not recommended as your primary plan.
Variable — expect surge pricing
🅿️
Stadium Parking
Official on-site parking is available but expensive. Expect $100+ per vehicle for major matches. You'll still face I-405 traffic getting in and out. Only worth considering if arriving very early or leaving very late.
$100+ per vehicle
Pro move: Pre-load your TAP card (LA Metro's smart card) before matchday using the TAP app. Avoids ticket machine queues entirely. Download it before you fly in — it works as a digital transit wallet across all Metro services.
From LAX
SoFi Stadium is just 6 miles from LAX. On non-match days, this is a 15-minute drive. On match days, take the free LAX Flyaway bus or Metro to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, then connect to the stadium shuttle. Do not attempt to Uber directly from the airport on match day.
From Downtown LA
Take the Metro E Line (Expo) west to Culver City, or use Metro direct service on match days. Most mid-city hotels are within easy reach of a Metro station. Budget 45–60 minutes from Downtown to the stadium, including the shuttle leg.
Where to Stay

LA Neighborhoods

Los Angeles sprawls across 500 square miles. Where you stay determines how you experience the city. Here are the neighborhoods that make the most sense for World Cup visitors.

Downtown LA
The hub — central transit, iconic skyline
Home to LA Live, the Staples Center area, and Union Station. The best transit access of any neighborhood — you can reach SoFi via Metro with one connection. Dense with hotels at every price point.
45–60 min to SoFi via MetroFan Zone at Union Station (Jun 25–28)
Inglewood
Walking distance — the local experience
The city of SoFi Stadium itself. Stay here and you can walk to the venue. A historically Black community with one of the most dynamic food scenes in the area — soul food, Caribbean, Mexican. Far more affordable than west-side LA hotels.
Walking distance to SoFiBest value for money
Santa Monica
Beach town — relaxed, walkable, scenic
The Pacific Coast at your door. Ideal if you want a true LA beach experience between matches. Metro E Line connects Santa Monica to the city. Pricier, but unmatched for the outdoor California lifestyle.
60–75 min to SoFiBeachfront Fan Zone (knockout rounds)
West Hollywood / Midtown
Lively, central — bars, restaurants, culture
The Original Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax is an official Fan Zone location. WeHo is walkable and dense with restaurants, bars, and nightlife. Easy Metro D Line access.
50–65 min to SoFiFan Zone at Farmers Market
El Segundo / Hawthorne
Practical — close to both SoFi and LAX
The unglamorous but smart choice. Between the airport and Inglewood, solid mid-range hotels, easy Metro C Line access, and a quick ride to the stadium. Best if matchday logistics are your priority.
20–30 min to SoFi10 min from LAX
Venice Beach
Eclectic, bohemian — the LA you've seen in movies
Skate park, street art, canals, and the boardwalk. An official Fan Zone operates here during the knockout rounds. Further from SoFi, but Venice earns its spot on any LA itinerary.
45–60 min to SoFiKnockout round Fan Zone
Food & Drink

Where to Eat

The food inside SoFi Stadium will be overpriced and forgettable. The food in Inglewood and around Los Angeles will be the opposite. Here's where to find it.

Near the Stadium — Inglewood
Mexican · Since 1986
Lax Tacos
Born on a catering truck, now a neighborhood institution. The Miranda family has been serving authentic Mexican recipes from the same corner for nearly 40 years. Arrive 90 minutes before kickoff — they stay open late on game nights.
0.8 mi from SoFi$Pre-match essential
Vegan Soul Food
Stuff I Eat
Chef Babette Davis has been running this beloved Inglewood spot since 2008. Vegan soul food done seriously well — Tex-Mex-inspired dishes, soul food platters, beet lemonade. One of the highest-rated spots in the area regardless of dietary preference.
1.6 mi from SoFi$–$$Lunch crowd
Soul Food · Since 1983
The Serving Spoon
Three generations of family ownership and one of the great soul food breakfasts in Los Angeles. Fried catfish, pork chops, collard greens, grits. Weekend waits can run long — arrive before 9 AM.
2.9 mi from SoFi$Breakfast/Brunch
Iconic Landmark
Randy's Donuts
The giant donut on the roof is one of the most photographed signs in LA. The donuts are genuinely excellent. When you need a quick boost before a late kick, nothing makes more sense.
1.5 mi from SoFi$Iconic stop
Fast Food · LA Legend
In-N-Out Burger
You're in California. It would be wrong not to. The location on Century Blvd is 0.6 miles from the stadium. Order a Double-Double Animal Style. Non-negotiable.
0.6 mi from SoFi$Essential California
Italian · Family-Run
Sunday Gravy
An Italian restaurant in Inglewood that earns its spot on any list. Honest red-sauce cooking in a warm room — good for a proper sit-down meal on a non-match afternoon when you have time to linger.
2.7 mi from SoFi$$Dinner
Around the City
Grand Central Market · Downtown
Grand Central Market
40+ vendors under one roof in a Downtown landmark open since 1917. Ramen, tacos, pupusas, poke, oysters, Thai — LA's culinary diversity in concentrated form. Open daily, late.
Downtown$–$$Best food hall in LA
3rd & Fairfax · West Hollywood
Original Farmers Market
Open since 1934, this institution has over 100 vendors and specialty food shops. Also an official Fan Zone location — eat here, then stay for the match screenings.
West Hollywood$–$$Fan Zone host
Century Boulevard near SoFi has been adding new dining options ahead of the World Cup. It's your best bet for a real meal close to kickoff — far better value than anything inside the stadium.
Fan Events

Fan Zones & Festivals

Beyond the stadium, Los Angeles is operating 10 official Fan Zones, a full FIFA Fan Festival, and free neighborhood screenings at 19 parks across the city.

01
FIFA Fan Festival™ — LA Memorial Coliseum
June 11–15, 2026
The official FIFA-sanctioned fan festival for LA — located in Exposition Park. Live match screenings, concerts, food vendors, cultural programming, and interactive activations. The largest gathering of World Cup fans outside the stadium itself.
Opening weekend Jun 11–15
02
Fan Zone — Original Farmers Market (3rd & Fairfax)
Selected group stage dates
Family-friendly soccer zones, beer gardens, and cuisine from 40+ eateries. Featuring group stage matches including USA vs. Australia and Mexico vs. Korea Republic. Metro D Line to Fairfax Station.
$5 daily · $17 multi-day · Free ages 3 and under
03
Fan Zone — Los Angeles Union Station
June 25–28, 2026
Free event with live DJs, meet & greets, and live match viewing at one of America's most beautiful train stations. Tickets required even for this free event — register in advance. Doors open 10:30 AM daily.
Free · Tickets required · Register at eventbrite.com
04
Fan Zone — Venice Beach
Knockout round dates
Beachfront Fan Zone on the iconic Venice boardwalk. Knockout stage matches with global food vendors, beer gardens, live music, DJs, and cultural performances.
From $10 GA · VIP available
05
Kick It in the Park — City of LA Parks
Throughout the tournament
Free public match viewings at 19 parks across the city. Capacity capped at 1,000 per location. Show up early. Check the City of LA's website for the full park list and match dates.
Free · First-come, first-served
Before You Go

Essential Tips

Ten things that will make your LA World Cup experience significantly better.

01
Book Now — Not Tomorrow
Hotels near Inglewood and SoFi are selling out fast, especially for the June 12 USA opener and July 10 Quarterfinal. LA is one of the busiest tourist cities on Earth — add 70,000 fans and prices will be punishing last-minute.
02
Get a TAP Card
Download the TAP app or pick up a card at any Metro station on arrival. Load it with credit — you'll use it for every Metro trip including game day. Avoids ticket machine queues entirely.
03
Eat Before You Enter
Food inside SoFi is expensive ($18 beers, $20 hot dogs). Inglewood's restaurant row on Century Blvd is a 10-minute walk from the gates. Have a real meal there first.
04
Plan for 95°F Heat
LA in late June and July averages 85–95°F. The stadium has a roof but isn't fully air-conditioned. Hydrate aggressively. Sunscreen for outdoor waits. Light clothing. This is not European summer.
05
Rethink What You Carry
FIFA has strict stadium security rules — stricter than standard NFL game policy. Clear bags only, 12"×6"×12" max. No outside food or drink. No backpacks. Check official FIFA.com guidelines before matchday.
06
Register Fan Zone Tickets Early
The Union Station Fan Zone is free but requires Eventbrite tickets. The FIFA Fan Festival at the Coliseum may also require registration. Neighborhood park screenings cap at 1,000 — arrive early.
07
Use a Car Strategically
A rental car is useful for non-match days — LA's beaches and attractions are easier by car. But on game days, park it at the hotel and Metro in. Parking near SoFi can cost $100+ and traffic will add hours.
08
Build In Beach Time
If you're in LA for multiple matches, take a day between them. Santa Monica, Venice, and Manhattan Beach are all accessible by Metro. This is Los Angeles — use it.
09
Late-Night Options Exist
Lax Tacos is open until 11:30 PM Fri–Sat. Grand Central Market has late vendors. For late USA matches (7 PM PT), the post-game energy in Inglewood will be worth experiencing.
10
Check FIFA.com for Final Rules
Security protocols, bag policies, ticketing, and transportation are subject to update. Always verify at FIFA.com and losangelesfwc26.com before matchday. Don't rely on secondhand sources for entry rules.
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