Los Angeles: A journey information to the 2026 World Cup host metropolis

Los Angeles is legendary for its sunshine, browsing seashores, Hollywood glamour and a meals scene formed by cultures from around the globe.

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The Californian metropolis can also be famend for its sporting tradition and can as soon as once more step onto soccer’s greatest stage as a FIFA World Cup host this summer time, earlier than welcoming the world again for the Olympics in 2028.

Boasting an extended historical past with the match, the area beforehand staged the 1994 males’s World Cup last on the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, earlier than additionally internet hosting the 1999 Women’s World Cup last on the identical venue.

World Cup fixtures in LA

LA is internet hosting eight matches on the 70,000-capacity SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, together with the US staff’s opener in opposition to Paraguay on 12 June. One of the World Cup’s flagship venues, and residential to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers, will probably be known as Los Angeles Stadium throughout the match.

Group video games that includes nations together with Belgium, Iran, New Zealand, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Türkiye can be performed on the stadium, adopted by two Round of 32 ties and a quarter-final.

• 13 June 2026 – Group D: USA vs Paraguay
• 16 June 2026 – Group G: Iran vs New Zealand
• 18 June 2026 – Group B: Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
• 21 June 2026 – Group G: Belgium vs Iran
• 26 June 2026 – Group D: USA vs Türkiye
• 28 June 2026: Round of 32
• 2 July 2026: Round of 32
• 10 July 2026: Quarter-final

Sporting tradition

Sport is woven into the id of LA, a metropolis full of championship groups and iconic venues. Baseball followers of the Dodgers and Angels flock to video games at Dodger Stadium in Elysian Park and at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, whereas basketball’s Lakers and Clippers play in downtown arenas alongside the NHL’s Kings.

The metropolis can also be dwelling to NFL franchises the Rams and Chargers at SoFi Stadium, plus MLS golf equipment LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC.

Legendary venues together with the Rose Bowl and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum have hosted Super Bowls, Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup finals.

LA will once more take centre stage over the subsequent few years, welcoming the summer time Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.

Landmarks and locations to see

Within strolling distance of LA Stadium is Inglewood Park Cemetery, the ultimate resting place for such notables as Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and Cesar Romero (the unique Joker in TV’s “Batman”). The Santa Monica Pier additionally marks the tip of historic Route 66 – which celebrates its one centesimal 12 months in 2026. Griffith Park is dwelling to the Observatory, the LA Zoo, the Hollywood signal and mountain climbing trails. Four main film studios supply excursions.

For arts and tradition, take a look at the brand new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Getty Center or the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

LA’s meals scene

LA is a world-class meals metropolis, with Latin, Asian and Middle Eastern among the many cuisines that rival something to be discovered overseas.

Among the town’s well-liked stops are Langer’s Deli for the No. 19 pastrami sandwich, In-N-Out Burger, Philippe the Original for French-dip sandwiches, the unique Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood close to LA Stadium, Quarter Sheets for pizza, Grand Central Market, Spago in Beverly Hills, and stylish Holbox for Mexican seafood close to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Fan zones

The get together will get going on the official FIFA Fan Festival from 11-14 June at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with tickets costing $10 per day. There can be 10 fan zones scattered across the space open on varied dates from 18 June to 19 July. Four of them are free – Downey, Union Station in downtown LA, Magic Johnson Park and Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in South El Monte.

Tickets on the different areas, together with Venice Beach and Burbank, vary from $5 to $25 per day with costlier VIP choices. Besides reside match broadcasts, there’ll be meals, reside music, beer gardens, artwork, interactive video games and cultural actions.

Transportation choices

Los Angeles is infamous for its site visitors. Five of the eight matches begin at midday native time; the opposite three are at night time. With restricted and costly parking on the stadium, most spectators will need to use public transportation or trip share.

Metro bus or rail (round-trip tickets are $3.50) will drop riders at one in every of 15 pickup areas, the place free buses will take them to the stadium. Other choices are park-and-ride areas with direct service to the stadium, strolling or getting dropped off.

Early-bird pricing for reserved parking in any respect areas ranges from $12 to $102.

Stadium suggestions

Arrive just a few hours early at Los Angeles Stadium to navigate lengthy safety strains and congestion. There’s a transparent bag coverage in impact. Only credit score, debit or cellular pay is accepted inside. Fans can carry one unopened 20 ounce or much less bottle of water.

A translucent cover with panels that may open for air flow covers the 70,240-seat stadium, which opened in 2020 and can host the opening ceremony and swimming competitors on the 2028 LA Olympics. The stadium has open sides that may go away the seating bowl topic to wind.