Los Angeles hosts eight World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, including games involving the United States, making it one of the tournament's key cities. LA is vast, sunny and car-dominated, which makes it very different from the compact host cities of the east coast. Fans who plan around the city's scale, however, get beaches, Hollywood, world-class food and one of the most spectacular stadiums on the planet. Here is how to do Los Angeles right.

SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is one of the newest and most impressive venues in world sport: a vast, covered arena with a translucent roof, a giant wraparound video board and a capacity of around 70,000 for the tournament. The stadium complex includes shops, restaurants and entertainment, and match days there feel like major events in themselves. Arrive early to enjoy the complex and to clear security without rushing, and note that the stadium's scale means long walks from transit stops and parking areas.

Los Angeles is famously car-dependent, and public transport, while improving, does not cover the city as comprehensively as in other host cities. The Metro rail network reaches many key areas, and match-day shuttles and rideshares serve SoFi Stadium, but for a multi-day stay a rental car is often the practical choice. If you drive, budget for parking and traffic: LA traffic is legendary, and match days make it worse. Alternatively, base yourself near a Metro line and combine rail with rideshares for stadium trips.

The best bases for World Cup fans are Downtown LA, Hollywood, Santa Monica or the Inglewood area itself, depending on your priorities. Downtown offers transit access and nightlife, Santa Monica offers beaches and a relaxed atmosphere, and Hollywood puts you near the classic sights. Avoid staying far from both the stadium and the sights you want to see: LA's distances punish poor location choices. Book early, as summer hotel rates in the city rise sharply during the tournament.

Between matches, LA offers the classic experiences: Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Griffith Observatory, studio tours, and neighbourhoods from Silver Lake to Koreatown for food. The city's food scene is one of the best in the tournament, from taco trucks to fine dining, and its diversity means you can eat your way around the world without leaving the city. Plan one major outing per day: LA rewards a relaxed pace, not a checklist sprint.

Summer heat in Inglewood can be intense, so bring sun protection, a hat and water for the journey to the stadium, and wear comfortable shoes for the long walks around the complex. Keep your digital ticket ready and your phone charged, as stadium entry is app-based. After the match, expect heavy traffic and long rideshare waits: consider staying for post-match entertainment at the complex or walking to a designated pick-up area away from the immediate stadium exits.

Los Angeles is a city of neighbourhoods, and each rewards a visit: Silver Lake and Echo Park for cafes and vintage shops, Koreatown for late-night food, the Arts District for galleries and street art, and Pasadena for a quieter, greener day out. Rather than racing between famous sights, pick one neighbourhood per non-match day and explore it properly, on foot where possible. LA's sprawl can be exhausting if you try to conquer it, but its neighbourhoods are the key to enjoying it at a human pace, and locals are usually happy to point you towards their favourite spots.

Los Angeles pairs a spectacular stadium with a city built for enjoyment: beaches, film history and food from every corner of the world. Respect the city's scale, plan your transport, and LA will give you one of the most enjoyable World Cup trips of all.