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We’ve seen tournament-branded bus wraps and checkout aisle T-shirts popping up in Los Angeles for weeks, but now the traffic warning signs on the freeways can only mean one thing: The FIFA World Cup is finally here, back in the L.A. area for the first time in over three decades.
Though L.A. is just one of 11 cities in the U.S. (plus five others in Mexico and Canada) to host matches during the 39-day tournament, it sure feels like we’re in the center of the soccer world right now: Even if you’re not attending one of the eight matches hosted here, daily watch parties are everywhere, and our weekend events calendar is teeming with fan festivals. It’s a lot to keep track of—maybe even too much—so we’re distilling the overwhelming flood of information down to the essentials.
RECOMMENDED: Our full guide to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in L.A.
Where is the FIFA World Cup being held in Los Angeles?
At Los Angeles Stadium, according to FIFA, but this is simply the un-branded name for SoFi Stadium, the (American) football stadium in Inglewood that’s usually home to the Rams and Chargers. The entire tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, though SoFi will host its matches on select days between June 12 and July 10.
How can I get to SoFi Stadium? And can I park there?
Though you can drive there, it’s upwards of $250 to park at the stadium (and not much cheaper outside of it), and you’ll need to book a spot in advance. Instead, Metro will be operating direct buses to SoFi from about 15 rail and bus-connected spots around L.A. County and OC, including from the Westside, Valley and South Bay, plus in DTLA at Union Station—which will likely be the go-to starting point for many attendees who live near a public transit line.
A bus ride is only $1.75 each way, though parking at the departure point will cost you considerably more (instead of paying $65 to park at Union Station, consider parking for a fraction of that at a nearby Metro stop). Service starts roughly three to four hours before the match and runs as often as every 10 minutes, and until 90 minutes after the match ends. Oh, and unlike some other stadiums—ahem, New York—you can technically walk to SoFi Stadium, though the closest rail line (the K Line’s Downtown Inglewood station) is about a mile and a half away. Uber, Lyft and Waymo are of course options too, though try not to faint once you see the inevitable surge pricing.
How early should I get to the stadium?
We won’t know until the first few matches have taken place just how much time you’ll need to navigate traffic and security (expect a report back on that after this weekend). But generally, the gates open three hours before kickoff (four hours for the U.S. opener on June 12).
Update: You can read our minute-by-minute account of taking the bus to SoFi Stadium for the opening match in L.A., but the short version is that it took us a little over an hour to take a bus from Union Station to the drop-off point across the street from SoFi; just over 10 minutes to walk to the security checkpoint; only 10 minutes to get through the long but efficient security line; and, once we reached the proper entry gate, only a few minutes to scan our tickets, ultimately landing in our seats about an hour and a half before kickoff. The final two miles of the drive took about 25 minutes, so consider factoring that into your arrival plans.
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Can I still get tickets to the World Cup in L.A.?
Yes. For direct tickets, the “last-minute sales” phase started in April but a notable number of seats remain unsold—though you’re looking at a get-in price in the hundreds of dollars, if not thousands to see the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team. Consider checking the official resale marketplace or other third-party sellers, where—if you’re lucky—you actually might be able to nab seats for less than face value.
How can I watch the World Cup without spending all of that money?
While it won’t be quite the same as having a seat right on the pitch, the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee is hosting a run of major watch parties for this June and July’s matches. Things commence with the FIFA Fan Festival, a ticketed ($10) opening weekend celebration at the Coliseum, before transitioning to the official Fan Zones, a mix of free and ticketed traveling watch parties staged at landmarks across the county (think: the Original Farmers Market, Venice Beach, Union Station, Fairplex). You’ll also find plenty of L.A. institutions hosting their own watch parties, from the Getty to the Music Center to the Hammer Museum, not to mention just about every sports bar in town.
What’s the World Cup match schedule in L.A.?
All of the times below are in Pacific Daylight Time. While the first stage matchups have already been determined, the round of 32 and quarterfinal teams will be locked in as the tournament progresses. The U.S. men’s national team has two confirmed matches in L.A.: Its World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12, as well as on June 25 against Türkiye.
Group Stage
Friday, June 12
🇺🇸 USA vs. 🇵🇾 Paraguay at 6pm
Monday, June 15
🇮🇷 IR Iran vs. 🇳🇿 New Zealand at 6pm
Thursday, June 18
🇨🇭 Switzerland vs. 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina at noon
Sunday, June 21
🇧🇪 Belgium vs. 🇮🇷 IR Iran at noon
Thursday, June 25
🇹🇷 Türkiye vs 🇺🇸 USA at 7pm
Round of 32
Sunday, June 28
🇿🇦 South Africa vs. 🇨🇦 Canada at noon
Thursday, July 2
Group H winners vs. Group J runners-up at noon
Group H includes Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Uruguay, and Group J includes Algeria, Argentina, Austria and Jordan.
Quarter Final
Friday, July 10
Winner match 93 vs. Winner match 94 at noon
This is one of the tournament’s quarterfinal matches, the highest-ranked match that’ll take place at SoFi Stadium.