Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host City Guide | Xenia Events
World Cup 2026 Host City

Los Angeles & SoFi Stadium

Southern California’s World Cup centerpiece — SoFi Stadium hosts high-demand group stage matches and knockout-round soccer in a global destination city.

🇺🇸 United States Matches June–July 2026 Host Stadium: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)

Snapshot

Los Angeles at a Glance

Host Stadium
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Match Types
Group Stage • Round of 32 • Quarterfinal
Airports
Los Angeles (LAX) • Burbank (BUR) • Long Beach (LGB)
Distance to Stadium
~10–30 minutes from LAX/Westside (traffic dependent)
Best Areas to Stay
Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Downtown LA
Ideal Stay Length
3–6 nights per match cluster
Stadium Guide

SoFi Stadium Matchday Experience

SoFi Stadium is one of the premier venues in the U.S. and a flagship host stadium for World Cup 2026 in Los Angeles. The stadium is located in Inglewood, with strong access from the Westside and LAX — but traffic patterns are the key variable.

What to Expect
  • Modern stadium design with strong sightlines across seating levels.
  • High demand for premium seating depending on match stage and teams.
  • Traffic, parking routing, and security screening can be significant on match days.
  • Warm days and cooler nights — plan layers for evening kickoffs.
Matchday Tips
  • Plan to arrive 90–120 minutes before kickoff for smooth entry.
  • Coordinate rideshare or private pickup points in advance.
  • Expect tight bag policies — keep it minimal and event-compliant.
  • Build buffer time for post-match departures (especially for late matches).
Where to Stay

Best Areas for World Cup Visitors

Santa Monica
Beach + Walkable

One of the best bases for visitors who want a true “LA vacation” feel — beaches, dining, walkability, and strong hotel inventory. Traffic to SoFi varies, but it’s a top pick for groups.

Beverly Hills / Century City
Luxury Corridors

Premium hotels and an upscale central location with access to West LA, Hollywood, and major shopping/dining. Excellent for higher-service packages.

West Hollywood
Nightlife + Dining

A strong choice for groups who want restaurants, bars, and a lively neighborhood vibe. Easy to combine with sightseeing and nightlife between matches.

Downtown LA (DTLA)
City Core

Great for visitors who prefer a dense city environment, modern hotels, and easy access to entertainment districts. Useful base for multi-city routing and larger group inventories.

LAX / El Segundo
Logistics First

Best for travelers prioritizing airport proximity and efficient match-day travel. Not as “vacation scenic,” but practical and usually strong value.

Hotels

Where We Typically Place Guests

We match hotels to your match schedule, preferred neighborhoods, and budget. Below are examples of the kinds of properties we typically use. Final selection depends on dates, demand, and match assignment.

Luxury & 5-Star

  • Beachfront luxury corridors
  • Beverly Hills / Westside premium hotels
  • High-demand design-forward properties
  • Curated 5-star city stays

4-Star Favorites

  • Santa Monica and Westside staples
  • West Hollywood full-service brands
  • DTLA modern business-class hotels
  • Group-friendly properties near major corridors

Upper-Midrange Options

  • Select-service Westside and airport options
  • Value-forward corridors with clean access
  • Curated stays by match cluster
  • Practical bases for multi-city trips

Your package will specify confirmed hotel options and neighborhoods before you commit.

Transportation

Getting Around LA & to SoFi Stadium

LA is spread out, and match-day traffic can swing dramatically by kickoff time and routing. We recommend building an organized plan for airport arrivals, hotel check-in, and SoFi stadium transport — especially for high-demand fixtures.

Airports
  • LAX — primary airport and closest major gateway to SoFi.
  • Burbank (BUR) — convenient for Hollywood/Valley stays.
  • Long Beach (LGB) — useful for select routing and quieter arrivals.
Getting to SoFi
  • Private SUV or Sprinter (best for groups and timing control).
  • Rideshare is common but can be slow after major events — pickup strategy matters.
  • Parking routing and entry gates may be managed by event operations.
  • Leave extra buffer time — LA traffic is the #1 variable.
Match Calendar

SoFi Stadium World Cup 2026 Match Schedule

Matches hosted at SoFi Stadium. Team placeholders (e.g., “W93”) reflect bracket positions and will resolve after group results. Kickoff times may be adjusted by organizers.

Match 4Group Stage
USA vs Paraguay
Friday, June 12, 2026 · SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Match 15Group Stage
Iran vs New Zealand
Monday, June 15, 2026 · SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Match 26Group Stage
Switzerland vs UEFA Winner A
Thursday, June 18, 2026 · SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Match 39Group Stage
Belgium vs Iran
Sunday, June 21, 2026 · SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Match 59Group Stage
UEFA Winner C vs USA
Thursday, June 25, 2026 · SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Match 73Round of 32
2A vs 2B
Sunday, June 28, 2026 · SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Match 84Round of 32
1H vs 2J
Thursday, July 2, 2026 · SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Match 98Quarterfinal
W93 vs W94
Friday, July 10, 2026 · SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)

Want a simple plan? We can build packages around any match above — hotels, transport, and ticket options tailored to your group.

Between Matches

Things to Do in Los Angeles

Top Sights
  • Santa Monica Pier + beach time.
  • Griffith Observatory (sunset views) and Hollywood sign viewpoints.
  • Rodeo Drive / Beverly Hills for iconic LA shopping.
  • The Getty Center or LACMA for museums and architecture.
  • Venice Beach boardwalk (daytime) and Westside exploring.
Food & Nightlife
  • West Hollywood dining and nightlife corridors.
  • DTLA rooftop bars and live music spots.
  • Top-tier sushi, taco, and chef-driven restaurant scenes.
  • Pre-match dinners curated around your hotel location.
For Families & Extra Days
  • Universal Studios Hollywood.
  • Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
  • Beach day + Malibu drive.

If you’d like, we can fold sightseeing, dining reservations, and family-friendly activities into your World Cup itinerary so everything is confirmed before you land.

Traveler Tips

Safety & Practical Advice

General Safety

  • Stay aware in crowded tourist areas and keep valuables secure.
  • Use rideshare or trusted car service late at night.
  • Keep an eye on event-week travel advisories and routing changes.

Matchday

  • Arrive early: parking and entry lines can build quickly.
  • Confirm official stadium entry rules and match-day routing.
  • Set a defined post-match meetup point if traveling as a group.

Movement

  • LA is spread out — plan your days geographically to reduce commute time.
  • Use official queues and avoid unmarked vehicles.
  • Your Xenia advisor can recommend neighborhoods based on your match dates and priorities.
Packages

Los Angeles World Cup Packages with Xenia

We design fully managed Los Angeles itineraries that connect match tickets, premium hotel placement, and coordinated transportation into one streamlined trip. Every package is customized around your dates, match priorities, and service level.

  • Group stage packages built around 1–2 matches at SoFi Stadium.
  • Knockout-round packages by request (subject to ticket availability).
  • Multi-city routes combining Los Angeles with other U.S. host cities.
  • Premium hotel corridors with match-day transportation included.
  • Private SUVs or Sprinters for your group with match-day coordination.
FAQ

Los Angeles World Cup FAQ

Which airport is best for SoFi Stadium?
LAX is the closest major airport and usually the most convenient for SoFi. BUR can be better if you’re staying in Hollywood or the Valley.
Should I stay near the beach or closer to the stadium?
Beach areas like Santa Monica are great for the full LA experience. If you want simpler match-day logistics, LAX/El Segundo corridors can be more practical.
How early should we leave for matches?
For match days in LA, we generally recommend leaving 2–3 hours before kickoff from most hotel areas due to traffic and routing.
Are match tickets included in Xenia packages?
Yes. Our packages are built around verified match access and seating categories, with hotels and transportation layered on top.

Ready to Plan Los Angeles World Cup 2026?

We’ll send tailored options with tickets, hotel placement, and match-day transportation — built around your preferred SoFi Stadium match dates.

Office: +1 (512) 900-4347  |  Call / Text: +1 (737) 393-1800

Email: info@xeniaevents.com  |  Web: xeniaevents.com

Independence Statement: Xenia Events LLC is an independent travel and hospitality provider and is not affiliated with FIFA, SoFi Stadium, or any official World Cup organizing body. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.