Los Angeles FIFA World Cup 2026 Ready for Kick-Off
Los Angeles is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup 2026. The city has years of experience accumulating mega-events, and it shows: top-tier sports infrastructure, massive hotel capacity, and an airport that moves tens of millions of passengers annually. This is not a city that improvises these kinds of things.
SoFi Stadium, the heart of the event
All matches in Los Angeles will be played at SoFi Stadium, inaugurated in 2020 in Inglewood. With a base capacity of 70,240 spectators, the venue can be expanded to over 100,000 using FIFA-approved temporary stands, making it one of the largest venues in the tournament.
Configuration and visibility
The field meets standard FIFA dimensions (105x68 meters). Seats have a 29-degree incline, and there are no columns obstructing the view from any section, which is a real problem in older stadiums. 20% of the capacity corresponds to premium zones; the rest are general areas. In total, LA will host 8 matches, including advanced rounds.
Technology within the venue
The Halo Board, the annular screen that completely surrounds the field, measures 70,000 square feet with 4K resolution. There is 5G connectivity throughout the stadium, capable of supporting 70,000 connected devices simultaneously, and a sound system of 1,000 speakers distributed with a total of 28,000 watts. All of this was already tested during Super Bowl LVI in 2022, with a full stadium. For the World Cup, augmented reality features via app and live streaming from the venue will be added.
How to get there
The Metro C Line has a stop at Hawthorne/Lennox, about 2 miles from the stadium, with free shuttle service. There are 12,500 on-site parking spaces, expandable to 28,000. Accesses fully comply with ADA regulations: ramps, elevators, and 1,200 reserved spaces for people with reduced mobility. For the World Cup, exclusive HOV lanes and real-time navigation via app are planned to manage the more than 100,000 daily visitors expected.
Logistics and operations in the city
The Los Angeles organizing committee coordinates with LA28 and FIFA to scale up the operations already used in the 2028 Olympic Games. They are not starting from scratch.
Transportation and accommodation
The LA Metro network covers 6 subway lines and more than 200 bus routes. The LAX People Mover, planned for 2025, will connect the airport with downtown in 25 minutes. As for accommodation, Los Angeles has about 130,000 hotel rooms available, about 40,000 of which are within 10 miles of SoFi. Among these, there are FIFA-certified options for the 32 participating teams and their delegations.
Security and fan zones
The security operation includes 10,000 LAPD and LA Fire officers, threat detection systems with artificial intelligence, and about 1,000 cameras distributed in the Fan Zones. There will be two main zones: Exposition Park (50,000 people) and LA Live (30,000), with giant screens, live music, and international cuisine. During the Copa América 2024, these same zones received 100,000 daily attendees without serious incidents, which provides a concrete reference of what the system can handle.
Los Angeles compared to other US venues
Comparing venues always involves certain nuances. SoFi has less capacity than MetLife (82,500) or AT&T (92,500), but its technology is unmatched among the tournament stadiums. The Halo Board, full 5G, and distributed sound system set it apart from the larger but more conventional venues. In experience with similar scale events, Los Angeles also has an advantage over Seattle or Kansas City; Atlanta, however, surpasses LA in Metro accessibility. Each venue has its strengths, and LA is no exception.
| Venue | Stadium | Capacity | Previous FIFA-like Events | Public Access |
| Los Angeles | SoFi | 70,240+ | Super Bowl, Copa América | Metro C, LAX 15min |
| New York | MetLife | 82,500 | Copa América Final 2024 | NJ Transit |
| Dallas | AT&T | 92,500 | Concerts, MLB | DART train |
| Seattle | Lumen | 68,740 | MLS, Sounders | Light Rail |
What the World Cup leaves in Los Angeles
FIFA's estimates for US host cities project a direct economic impact of over $500 million for Los Angeles, with 25,000 temporary jobs and over a million additional visitors. Infrastructure investment is around $2 billion, distributed among transportation, hotels, and urban improvements. The development of Hollywood Park, with its 300-acre park, is part of this process. A boost to youth football programs linked to LAFC and Galaxy, two growing franchises, is also expected. This is not the first time a World Cup has left its mark on the city: something similar happened in 1994.
What you need to know before you go
There are some frequently asked questions that are worth answering directly.
How many World Cup 2026 matches will be played in Los Angeles?
8 matches are expected in total, including group stage, round of 16, and possible knockout rounds, according to official bid documents.
Which stadium will host the World Cup 2026 matches in Los Angeles?
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will be the venue for all matches.
What infrastructure improvements are being made for the event?
The extension of the Metro network, the construction of the LAX People Mover, and works to expand SoFi to 100,000 spectators are the most relevant projects underway.
How will the World Cup affect the local economy?
Over $500 million in direct impact, 25,000 temporary jobs, and a considerable increase in tourism during the tournament weeks.
Is it easy to get to SoFi Stadium from downtown Los Angeles?
Yes. The Metro C Line goes to Hawthorne/Lennox, with a free shuttle to the stadium. The complete journey takes around 45 minutes. There are also 12,500 parking spaces available on site, with the possibility of expanding to 28,000.