Unearth The Voyage
Los Angeles is getting ready to host some of the most exciting matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Whether you’re flying in for a single weekend or planning a longer trip, knowing how to navigate this massive city will make your experience unforgettable. From catching games at the stadium to exploring fan zones, beaches, and amazing food spots, LA offers countless ways to celebrate the beautiful game. This guide will help you plan every detail so you can focus on cheering, exploring, and making memories.
1. Start with the Actual Match Schedule
Before booking flights or hotels, head straight to FIFA.com and the official LA World Cup website to check which matches are happening when. Los Angeles will host eight games at SoFi Stadium, including the USMNT opener on June 12, 2026. Knowing exact dates and kickoff times helps you avoid booking a hotel for the wrong weekend or missing a must-see game.
Build your itinerary around one big stadium match and a couple of bar or fan zone viewing sessions. This way, you get the full experience without sprinting across the city every few hours. Rushing nonstop kills the fun and leaves you exhausted.
Add every match you care about to your phone calendar with local Los Angeles time. Time zone mix-ups are surprisingly common and can cost you a game you really wanted to see live.
2. Understand Where You’re Actually Going: SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium sits in Inglewood, not downtown LA, and FIFA officially calls it Los Angeles Stadium during the tournament. It’s the home of the Rams and Chargers and hosts huge concerts and events year-round. Most tourists don’t realize how far Inglewood is from popular spots like Hollywood or Santa Monica.
You’ll need extra travel time to get there, especially during rush hour or on match days when thousands of fans are heading the same direction. Don’t assume you can walk from your hotel unless you specifically booked in Inglewood itself.
Pull up a map and pin SoFi Stadium, your hotel, and LAX airport so you see real distances. This simple step prevents nasty surprises when you’re already jet-lagged and trying to catch kickoff.
3. Pick Your Home Base Neighborhood Strategically
Choosing where to stay matters more than you think. Downtown LA offers great transit links, urban energy, and tons of sports bars. Inglewood puts you closest to SoFi but has fewer tourist attractions. Santa Monica and the Westside give you beach vibes and fun nightlife, but expect longer rides to the stadium on game days.
Koreatown is a hidden gem with incredible food, buzzing nightlife, and a strong soccer culture thanks to LA’s huge Korean community. If you want authentic eats and a fan atmosphere, this neighborhood delivers.
Check fan-focused travel sites like The World Cup Guide for detailed neighborhood breakdowns. Picking the right base saves time, stress, and money throughout your weekend.
4. Book Accommodation Early and Near Transit
World Cup weekends mean hotels fill up fast and prices spike hard. LA already draws millions of tourists every year, and FIFA expects massive crowds across Southern California. Waiting too long to book could leave you paying double or staying miles from anywhere useful.
Prioritize hotels within walking distance of a Metro rail station or a reliable bus line over being near one single attraction. Good transit access gives you flexibility and saves a fortune on rideshares. Check cancellation policies in case transport plans change and you want to switch locations.
Consider splitting your stay: one night near Inglewood around match day, then move closer to beaches or nightlife for the rest of your trip. Flexibility beats convenience when you’re juggling stadium games and sightseeing.
5. Plan How You’ll Get to SoFi Stadium Before You Land
Getting to SoFi usually involves a combo of Metro rail lines plus a shuttle or short walk. From Union Station downtown, take the B or D Line to the E Line, then transfer to the K Line toward Downtown Inglewood. Stadium shuttles typically run for big events and connect you the final stretch.
LA Metro maintains a dedicated SoFi Stadium transport page with up-to-date shuttle routes, timings, and tips. Apps like Moovit provide live directions specifically for the stadium. Because game-day services can change for the World Cup, check these sources a week before your trip instead of assuming past schedules still apply.
Arriving early is smart. Crowds, delays, and confusion are guaranteed on match days, so give yourself an extra hour minimum.
6. Decide When You’ll Rely on Rideshare vs Transit
LA traffic during the World Cup will be brutal, so knowing when to use transit versus rideshare keeps you sane. Use public transport when heading to or from the stadium during peak match times or when you’re based near a Metro line that connects to Inglewood routes. Rail is faster and cheaper when streets are jammed.
Rideshare makes sense late at night when trains are less frequent or when you’re in neighborhoods poorly served by rail, like some hillside areas. Expect longer wait times and surge pricing around SoFi on game days. Check the stadium’s official event pages for updated rideshare pickup zones closer to your trip.
Set realistic expectations and budget extra time. Flexibility beats frustration every single time.
7. Lock in at Least One Great Soccer Bar for Non-Stadium Matches
Don’t wait until game morning to find a bar. LA has a strong soccer scene with spots like The Fox and Hounds in the Valley, Tom’s Watch Bar, and 33 Taps in Silver Lake. These places go wild during major tournaments and offer the kind of atmosphere you can’t get watching alone in your hotel room.
Check each bar’s social media or website for match-day reservations, special hours, and cover charges. Some venues fill up hours before kickoff, especially for knockout rounds. If you’re traveling with a big group, ask if they’ll seat fans of specific teams together to boost the vibe.
Having a backup bar in mind is smart in case your first choice hits capacity or has technical issues.
8. Mix in a Fan Zone or Official Viewing Area
Many World Cup host cities set up official fan zones with big screens, food vendors, and live entertainment. LA will likely do the same, but exact locations and details might not be announced until closer to 2026. Keep an eye on the official LA World Cup site and FIFA’s host city guide as the tournament approaches.
Check the City of Los Angeles and Discover Los Angeles tourism channels for any city-sponsored viewing events. Fan zones offer a unique community atmosphere and are often free or low-cost, making them great for budget-conscious travelers.
Build flexibility into your weekend by choosing a backup soccer bar in case the fan zone is overcrowded or reaches capacity. Having options keeps your plans stress-free and fun.
9. Build a Non-Soccer Mini-Itinerary Between Matches
You won’t spend every minute in the stadium, so plan a few classic LA experiences between matches. Santa Monica and Venice beaches offer sun, sand, and people-watching. The Hollywood Walk of Fame and Griffith Observatory are iconic and easy to reach. LA is also a major league sports city, so catching a Dodgers or Lakers game could add another layer to your trip.
You can’t do everything in one weekend. Choose one or two big attractions, schedule them around kickoff times, and leave buffer time for traffic and lines. Trying to cram too much in leaves you exhausted and frustrated.
Use FIFA’s official Los Angeles host city guide for evergreen highlights and local tips. Balance soccer with sightseeing for a well-rounded experience.
10. Plan Around LA’s Food Culture
LA’s food scene is famously global, making it perfect for a World Cup weekend. Koreatown serves up incredible Korean BBQ and late-night eats, especially exciting if you’re catching matches featuring Asian teams. Mexican and Latin American food is everywhere, reflecting the huge local fan base for teams from the Americas.
Instead of booking restaurants far from your plans, choose spots near your bar or close to transit so you’re not racing across town between meals and matches. Good food fuels good vibes, and LA has options for every budget and craving.
Ask locals or check recent reviews for hidden gems. Some of the best meals come from food trucks and hole-in-the-wall spots that tourists often miss.
11. Respect Stadium Rules on Bags, Payment, and Prohibited Items
SoFi Stadium has strict policies on bag size and type, cashless payment requirements, and prohibited items like certain containers and professional cameras. These rules can be updated for high-security events like the World Cup, so don’t rely on what you read months earlier.
Check the official SoFi Stadium event page for FIFA World Cup 26 before you pack your match-day bag. Print or screenshot the policies in case you don’t have strong cell service at the entrance. Getting turned away for a banned item or wrong bag ruins the start of your experience.
Arrive prepared and you’ll breeze through security while others scramble. Small details make a big difference on game day.
12. Use Trusted Sources for Real-Time Transport and Safety Info
LA is big and can overwhelm first-time visitors. Stick to official sites for transit info: LA Metro, Metrolink, and your local consulate or travel advisories. Use real-time apps like Google Maps and Moovit for live route updates and delay notifications. These tools keep you informed when plans change suddenly.
Follow the official LA World Cup and SoFi Stadium social accounts for last-minute announcements about road closures, shuttle changes, and match-day rules. Avoid relying on random social media posts that aren’t tied to official or reputable sources, as misinformation spreads fast during big events.
Staying informed means staying in control. A little extra checking saves hours of stress and confusion during your weekend.
