Los Angeles hosted World Cup 2026 matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, one of the newest and most spectacular venues in world sport, and the city matched the occasion with ten official fan zones spread across its neighbourhoods. For visiting fans, Los Angeles offers sunshine, beaches, film history and food from every continent, but also sprawl, traffic and distances that surprise first-time visitors. This guide explains how to plan a Los Angeles match trip: getting to SoFi Stadium, choosing where to stay, enjoying the fan zones, and fitting the city's best sights around the football.

SoFi Stadium sits in Inglewood, south-west of downtown Los Angeles, and is surrounded by a large entertainment district with restaurants, shops and open spaces. The stadium is modern, covered by a translucent roof, and designed so that every seat has a good view, with huge video boards that make replays easy to follow. Gates open well before kick-off, and security follows the clear bag policy common to American stadiums, so pack accordingly and arrive early. The stadium's size means concourses are spacious, but also that walking from transport drop-off points to your gate can take time: allow a generous margin and follow signs rather than cutting across parking areas.

Los Angeles is famously car-dependent, and SoFi Stadium is no exception, although matchday shuttle and public transport options were expanded for the tournament. The Metro rail network reaches Inglewood, and ride-sharing drop-off zones operate on matchdays, but both become congested in the final hour before kick-off. If you stay downtown, the rail journey is straightforward; if you stay near the beach or in Hollywood, allow extra time and consider a shuttle service. After the match, crowds disperse slowly, so walking to a quieter pick-up point or waiting for the initial surge to pass often saves more time than joining the first taxi queue. Never drive to the stadium without pre-booked parking.

One of Los Angeles's distinctive features was its network of ten fan zones in communities across the region, from downtown to the coast. These zones offered big screens, food vendors, music and family activities, giving fans without stadium tickets a genuine tournament experience close to where they stayed. Each zone had its own character: some were beachside and relaxed, others urban and loud, and all were free or low-cost to enter. For visitors, the fan zones are also a practical way to watch a second match on a non-stadium day, or to enjoy the atmosphere with locals rather than only with travelling supporters. Check locations and opening hours in advance, because not every zone screened every match.

Choosing where to stay in Los Angeles depends on your priorities. Downtown offers transport links and hotels at many price points, Hollywood offers nightlife and film sights, and beach neighbourhoods offer relaxation but longer stadium journeys. Most visitors combine two bases or accept one longer journey on matchday. Beyond football, the city's highlights include the Griffith Observatory for skyline views, the Getty Center for art and gardens, Santa Monica Pier for the beach, and the food markets of the Original Farmers Market. Allow a full day for sightseeing rather than squeezing attractions between matches, because Los Angeles traffic makes rushed itineraries frustrating.

Summer in Los Angeles is warm and dry, but evenings near the coast can cool quickly, so carry a light layer even for a day game. Sunscreen and water are essential, and stadium prices for food and drink are high, so eat well before entry. English is widely spoken, but Spanish is common too, and many stadium staff are bilingual. Keep your phone charged and download offline maps, because data coverage inside a packed stadium can be unreliable. Above all, plan your return journey before you enter the stadium: knowing exactly how you will get home turns the end of the match from a stressful scramble into a relaxed walk to your transport.