2026 World Cup Guide: Los Angeles
Return to Matador Network’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Travel Guide.
Los Angeles will open the FIFA World Cup 2026 by hosting the tournament’s first match in the US on June 12. The 70,000-seat venue in Inglewood will be one of the busiest sites in the competition, with eight matches on the schedule — including two group-stage appearances by the US men’s national team, a pair of knockout rounds, and a quarter-final.
SoFi’s location near LAX, major freeways, and Metro lines makes it one of the most accessible venues on the World Cup circuit. And that ease of access extends to accommodations, with well-connected neighborhoods like Downtown LA, Culver City, and the South Bay offering a range of hotels and direct transit routes to the stadium.
Venue: SoFi Stadium
Capacity: 70,000
Match dates
LA will likely be bumping when the World Cup comes around, especially when Team USA is playing. It’s hosting eight matches in 2026 — try to buy your tickets as soon as you can.
- Friday, June 12, 2026: Group Stage, Match 4
- Monday, June 15, 2026: Group Stage, Match 15
- Thursday, June 18, 2026: Group Stage, Match 26
- Sunday, June 21, 2026: Group Stage, Match 39
- Thursday, June 25, 2026: Group Stage, Match 59
- Sunday, June 28, 2026: Round of 32, Match 73
- Thursday, July 2, 2026: Round of 32, Match 84
- Friday, July 10, 2026: Quarterfinal, Match 98
How to get to SoFi Stadium from Downtown LA
Photo: Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock
You have a few options for the best way to reach SoFi Stadium from downtown Los Angeles, depending on whether you value speed or cost. By car, the fastest route is via the I-110 South to the I-105 West. Exit at Prairie Avenue and follow signs for the stadium; the trip takes about 25 to 40 minutes (or more, depending on LA’s notoriously bad traffic). Rideshare services like Uber or Lyft drop off and pick up in designated zones near Kareem Court and Pincay Drive. SoFi Stadium does allow you to reserve a parking space in advance, which is advisable during popular events like the World Cup. But note that you may still have a long walk from your parking spot.
If you’d prefer public transportation, take the Metro C Line (Green) to Hawthorne/Lennox Station, the board the free SoFi Stadium shuttle, which operates on event days and drops off near the stadium entrance. You can also take the Metro Bus (Line 117), which stops about a 10-minute walk from the stadium.
Official LA FIFA Fan Zones
LA hasn’t announced its official FIFA Fan Festival location, as of May 2025. It’s likely it’ll be somewhere central in the city, as it’s a free, public space where anyone can come to watch the games and meet other excited fans. The Fan Fest info will be available online closer to the LA World Cup matches, and shared on the official LA World Cup page.
The 2025 Club World Cup in LA
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Los Angeles will play a significant role in the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, hosting six matches at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. The tournament kicks off on June 15 and culminates with the final on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Rose Bowl’s fixtures feature top clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético de Madrid, and Inter Milan, offering fans a chance to witness elite international soccer — and likely drawing tons of international fans. Events will be held at BMO Stadium.
Los Angeles matches for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup include:
- May 31, 2025: Play-In Match: Los Angeles FC vs. Club América — BMO Stadium
- June 15, 2025: Group B: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético de Madrid — Rose Bowl Stadium
- June 17, 2025: Group E: CF Monterrey vs. Inter Milan — Rose Bowl Stadium
- June 19, 2025: Group B: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Botafogo — Rose Bowl Stadium
- June 21, 2025: Group E: River Plate vs. CF Monterrey — Rose Bowl Stadium
- June 25, 2025: Group E: Urawa Red Diamonds vs. CF Monterrey — Rose Bowl Stadium
Where to Eat, Play, and Stay in LA During the World Cup
Where to Eat, Play, and Stay in LA During the World Cup
One of the World Cup host cities is none other than the capital of the entertainment industry, Los Angeles. It’s tied with Chicago for the most stadiums in a US city and has developed an impressive soccer culture.
The Best Hotels Near SoFi Stadium
The Best Hotels Near SoFi Stadium
Whether you’re coming to Los Angeles this summer for the 2025 Club World Cup — with teams like PSG and Atlético de Madrid playing at the Rose Bowl — or planning ahead for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, here’s where to stay.
The 8 Best Soccer Bars in LA
The 8 Best Soccer Bars in LA
With LA playing host to FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, the city’s bars are bound to be packed. And LA’s soccer bars are rooted in the city’s history as a sports capital and entertainment powerhouse.
More to do in Los Angeles
Photo: Chizhevskaya Ekaterina/Shutterstock
LA is the home of Tinseltown, loaded with excellent beaches up and down the coast, and minutes away from some of the biggest attractions in California. There’s plenty to do around the city to make your vacation into much more than just a soccer-focused trip.
- Why the Streets of Los Angeles Seem to Make No Sense
- Where to Stay, Eat, and Play in Los Angeles (non-World Cup edition)
- The 7 Best Parks in Los Angeles for Your Next SoCal Trip
- DTLA Is Home to the City’s Coolest Hotels. Here’s Proof.
- The Ultimate Guide to All Things Korean in LA’s K-Town
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