World Cup Organizers Unveil Plans For 39 Days Of Soccer In LA County

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee Tuesday shared its plan on how it intends to engage residents and visitors for the 39-day tournament.

Inglewood's SoFi Stadium is expected to host eight matches of the World Cup, including the U.S. Men's National Team opening match and a quarterfinal, with tens of thousands of visitors anticipated to flood the region.

"While Los Angeles is the official host city, we want to share the spotlight and make this World Cup a countywide celebration," Kathryn Schloessman, president & CEO of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission and Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee, said in a statement.

"Communities from Lancaster to Long Beach and Claremont to Calabasas can play a vital role in creating a phenomenal experience for visiting fans and Angelenos during the tournament -- and also help create a meaningful, lasting impact on the entire region," she added.

On Tuesday, Chris Klein and Larry Freedman, host committee co-chairs, and Schloessman encouraged cities across L.A. County to join in as partners to deliver an unforgettable World Cup experience.

City leaders are encouraged to host viewing parties and other fan gatherings throughout the county. In the lead-up to the tournament, cities can help decorate streets with banners, organize other promotional activities and participate in community initiatives led by the host committee.

There will also be an opening-week fan celebration planned at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The host committee also mentioned that a portal for a World Cup volunteer program will open for sign-ups soon.

Meanwhile, the host committee is working with Los Angeles Tourism to curate a 39-day calendar of events to encourage visitors to explore the best of the region through watch parties, fan events, museums, bars, restaurants and more.

"Los Angeles is a global capital of sports and entertainment, and recently named the top city for soccer fans in the U.S.," Adam Burke, president & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism, said in a statement. "Over the next year, we'll showcase what makes LA unforgettable, inviting visitors to kick off their World Cup journey here and stay to explore our incredible attractions, vibrant neighborhoods, and rich cultural experiences."

To boost the excitement for the tournament, the committee will partner with LA84 Foundation and Play Equity Fund to host so-called community engagement events.

The host committee and these two organizations launched a grant program to uplift 26 "champions" that empower their community through soccer. Grant recipients will be announced June 11.

They also plan to host soccer clinics, with the first of such initiatives planned for the fall.

"The World Cup will be a catalyst in Los Angeles that inspires new opportunities and embraces potential," Renata Simril, president & CEO of the LA84 Foundation, and president of the Play Equity Fund, said in a statement. "It will be more than a tournament. ... (Soccer's) greatest stage will leave a lasting impact on our city long after the final game by enriching lives and transforming our communities."

More information on the 2026 World Cup, including tips on how to get involved, can be found online.

City News Service