2026 FIFA World Cup Host City Guide: Los Angeles, California

In advance of this summer’s FIFA World Cup, SportsTravel is delving into each of the 11 U.S. cities that will host matches during the event. This year’s edition will be the largest ever, with 48 teams (up from 32), and it will be the first to be staged in three countries — Canada, Mexico and the United States — with 16 host cities in total.

Up next in our series: Los Angeles, California, although it is neighboring Inglewood that will actually host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The City of Angels has a rich sporting heritage, as  it is the home to iconic franchises like the NBA’s Lakers and MLB’s Dodgers, as well as two NFL teams (the Chargers and Rams), two MLS teams (LAFC and LA Galaxy), a second NBA team (the Clippers, who actually play in Inglewood) and teams in the NHL (Kings), WNBA (Sparks), NWSL (Angel City), as well as nearby teams in Anaheim that play in MLB (Angels) and the NHL (Ducks). And of course, Los Angeles is gearing up to host the Olympic Summer Games for the third time in 2028, having previously done so in 1932 and 1984, respectively.

[Editor’s Note: Click here to read our past features on the San Francisco Bay Area, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Houston, Dallas,  Miami, Atlanta, Boston, New York New Jersey and Seattle]

[For the full list of confirmed base camps, click here.]

Stadium

Stadium: SoFi Stadium  / Los Angeles Stadium

Capacity: 70,000

Opened: 2020

W/C Hosting Experience: N/A (Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, hosted eight games in 1994 FIFA World Cup)

Games: Eight matches including:

• USA v Paraguay | Group D | Friday, June 12

• IR Iran v New Zealand | Group G | Monday, June 15

• Switzerland v Bosnia & Herzegovina | Group B | Thursday, June 18

• Belgium v IR Iran | Group G | Sunday, June 21

• Türkiye v USA | Group D | Thursday, June 25

• Match 73 | Round of 32 | Sunday, June 28

• Match 84 | Round of 32 | Thursday, July 2

• Match 98 | Quarter-final | Friday, July 10

Location

Renamed Los Angeles Stadium for this summer’s tournament, SoFi Stadium will host the competition for the first time, although the Rose Bowl in Pasadena hosted eight 1994 FIFA World Cup matches, including the final between Brazil and Italy (and hosted the final of the Women’s World Cup in 1999).

Opened in September 2020, the 70,000-capacity stadium was constructed at an eventual cost of around $5.5 billion, making it the most expensive stadium ever built. Now the home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, the multipurpose stadium occupies the former site of the Hollywood Park Racetrack and neighbors the Kia Forum and the Intuit Dome. It has already hosted one Super Bowl and will do so again in 2027.

During the next Summer Olympics in 2028, the stadium will not only co-host the Opening Ceremony with the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but it will also become the largest swimming venue in Olympic history.

Team Base Camps

San Diego has been selected as the location for the New Zealand Men’s National Soccer Team’s official team base camp training site. The All Whites will train at the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium and stay at a team hotel close to the training ground.

New Zealand will compete in Group G at this summer’s tournament, with a first match scheduled to take place in Inglewood against Iran on June 15. It will play its other two group matches in Vancouver, Canada, against Egypt on June 21 and Belgium on June 26.

Fan Experiences and Activations

There will be an official FIFA Fan Festival at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (the venue for the Closing Ceremony of the LA28 Olympic Summer Games) across four days from June 11 through June 14. The Festival is set to feature live FIFA World Cup match broadcasts, musical performances, interactive fan activations, cultural programming and L.A.-inspired food offerings.
The venue itself is located in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park, and is home to the USC Trojans football team. It has also hosted two previous Olympic Summer Games, two Super Bowls, one World Series and a Papal mass.

There will also be 10 official fan zones during the tournament in the L.A. region:

Accommodation Supply

And, according to CoStar forecasts, Los Angeles has an average daily rate of $219.54 in June, compared to an ADR of $212.14 in July. Those high rates in June (the fifth highest of all U.S. cities) can likely be attributed to the fact that the USMNT will play two games in Inglewood that month, but there’s no guarantee yet which teams will be playing at SoFi Stadium in the knockout round.

Compared to last year, the ADRs have not changed as significantly as in the majority of other U.S. cities when comparing to last year’s rates (0.104 percent in June and 0.064 percent in July), which would have coincided with 2025 FIFA Club World Cup matches at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.

Los Angeles WC 2026 Host Committee CEO Kathryn Schloessman Interview

• What does it mean to you to host the World Cup?

Hosting the FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles is an incredible opportunity for our region, to showcase the very best of Los Angeles to the world. For us, it means elevating our region by reinforcing Los Angeles’ reputation as a premier international destination capable of delivering a world-class experience for fans, athletes, partners, and visitors from around the globe. It also represents an opportunity to create meaningful and lasting impact.

• What are the major opportunities the tournament will bring?

Los Angeles will serve as a primary destination for fans beginning their FIFA World Cup experience. Hosting eight matches, including the US Men’s National Team Opening Match, places Los Angeles at the center of the world’s largest single-sport event. At the same time, the World Cup is part of an extraordinary run of major global sporting events for our region unmatched by any other destination. Los Angeles is preparing to host the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, FIFA World Cup 2026, Super Bowl LXI in 2027, and the return of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028. The economic impact is expected to be significant and long-lasting for our region.

Beyond the numbers, these events create opportunities to invest in communities, support local businesses, inspire the next generation through sport, and showcase the innovation, culture, and energy that define Los Angeles on a global stage.

• What are some of the logistical or operational challenges that have to be negotiated before and during the tournament?

One of our biggest priorities is ensuring a seamless and welcoming experience for residents, visitors, and athletes alike. That includes coordinating transportation and mobility systems, public safety operations and venue logistics. Collaboration between city agencies, regional partners, transportation authorities, public safety officials, and community organizations is essential.

Another important focus is ensuring accessibility and inclusivity throughout the tournament experience from fan events to community programming, so that people from all backgrounds and neighborhoods can participate and feel connected to this historic moment.

• What fan experiences or activations have you got planned for the LA region?

The official FIFA Fan Festival Los Angeles taking place June 11—14 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at Exposition Park and will be the heartbeat of the FIFA World Cup 2026 here in our region, a shared gathering place where fans experience the tournament beyond the stadium. This opening week celebration event will transform the historic L.A. venue into a world-class celebration of sport and culture, designed to ensure families, local communities, and visitors can all participate. Combining live match broadcasts, music, entertainment, and cultural programming, this is about more than soccer, it’s a cultural celebration for all.

• Are you working on any legacy campaigns for after the tournament has ended?

Through our legacy programming, we are committed to ensuring the impact of FIFA World Cup 2026 extends far beyond the final match. Starting with making sure local businesses can compete for contracts through our local supplier efforts and the LASEC Business Connect Program, we have recognized 26 Community Champions, organizations that are using soccer to empower, uplift and drive meaningful change throughout the region.

The 26 Community Champions Grant program has recognized each organization with $26,000 grants and featured weekly videos highlighting their impact in the lead up of the tournament.

Our Road to World Cup Community Days presented by Amgen initiative transforms walls into canvases, revitalizes streets, and fosters play, connection, and community pride. In addition, our Grow the Game of Soccer Clinic Series provides free opportunities for young players, coaches, and referees to develop their skills alongside professional soccer clubs and local stakeholders across Los Angeles.

Lastly, we recently introduced a new legacy program, creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for individuals, primarily youth from underserved communities in L.A., with opportunities to attend a FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Los Angeles, take part in the Official FIFA Fan Festival Los Angeles, and play on the Stadium pitch following the conclusion of the tournament. Together, these efforts are designed to nurture talent, inspire ambition, and ensure the spirit of this World Cup leaves a lasting legacy in the
hearts, minds, and future of the next generation.

• How do you expect this tournament to lead into LA28 and potentially generate further tourism demand?

FIFA World Cup 2026 will serve as a global showcase for Los Angeles, generating significant international visibility, future tourism demand, and economic impact while building momentum toward LA28 and the region’s unprecedented run of major sporting events. The tournament also provides an opportunity that will help position Los Angeles for continued success on the world stage for years to come.

Los Angeles Tourism President and CEO Adam Burke Interview

• What does it mean to you to host the World Cup?

Hosting the FIFA World Cup is a defining moment for Los Angeles. We have a long history of welcoming the world’s biggest sporting events, but the World Cup carries a unique global reach and cultural significance. For Los Angeles Tourism, it’s an opportunity to showcase not only our venues and infrastructure, but also the diversity, creativity, and experiences that make Los Angeles one of the world’s most compelling destinations. It reinforces our position as a global sports capital and creates a platform to inspire future visitation long after the tournament concludes.

• What are the major opportunities the tournament will bring?

The most immediate opportunity is the economic activity that the World Cup will generate across hotels, restaurants, attractions, transportation providers and local businesses. But the long-term opportunity is even greater. The World Cup gives Los Angeles unprecedented global exposure and allows us to tell a broader story about the destination. We view it as both an economic driver and a brand-building opportunity that can influence travel decisions for years to come.

• What fan experiences or activations have you got planned for the LA region?

Locations such as Venice Beach, the Original Farmers Market, and Los Angeles Union Station will create opportunities for residents and visitors alike to celebrate the World Cup atmosphere, connect with fellow fans, and experience the tournament’s energy beyond the stadium.

We’re also making it easy for visitors and locals to discover what’s happening across the city through an event calendar on DiscoverLA.com, which serves as a central resource for World Cup-related activities, fan events, and experiences throughout the tournament.

• How do you expect this tournament to lead into LA28 and potentially generate further tourism demand?

The World Cup serves as an important bridge to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Together, these events represent one of the most significant periods of global attention in Los Angeles’ history. These major events allow us to demonstrate our ability to welcome visitors at scale while building excitement and awareness. From a tourism perspective, we see these events as complementary opportunities that reinforce Los Angeles’ reputation as a premier destination for sports, entertainment, and cultural experiences, helping generate demand well beyond 2028.