SoFi Stadium hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final in Los Angeles
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, holds 70,240 fans under a cable-supported translucent roof — the first NFL venue purpose-built with a permanent cover. Home to both the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, SoFi opened in 2020 and has already hosted Super Bowl LVI and WrestleMania. FIFA has assigned Los Angeles eight matches for 2026, culminating in a quarter-final on July 10 — the largest fixture count of any US host city outside the final.
SoFi's Inglewood location, 12 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, was previously challenging to reach by transit, but the Metro C Line extension to Hollywood Park station — directly adjacent to the stadium — opened in 2022 and transformed the ground's accessibility. Supporters can now travel from downtown LA's 7th Street/Metro Center in approximately 35 minutes for a standard Metro fare. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is 5 miles north of the stadium, and the LAX-to-SoFi transit option uses the LAX Connector shuttle to the C Line. Supporters flying into LAX are well positioned for the most direct possible stadium arrival of any US host city.
Why this city matters
Metro C Line to Hollywood Park station provides direct rail access to SoFi Stadium — 35 minutes from downtown LA
Los Angeles hosts the USA vs Paraguay opener on June 12 — one of the most-watched US group matches of the tournament
Eight matches, including a quarter-final on July 10, make LA the highest-fixture US city outside the final
SoFi's permanent translucent roof eliminates heat and rain concerns for all June and July matches in Inglewood
Matchday planning
Where to stay in Los Angeles for the 2026 World Cup
Where is SoFi Stadium and how far is it from downtown Los Angeles?
SoFi Stadium is in Inglewood, approximately 12 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles along the I-405 corridor. The venue is adjacent to Hollywood Park — a mixed-use entertainment and residential development — and the area has grown significantly since SoFi opened in 2020, with new hotel and restaurant options filling what was previously an industrial gap between LAX and the 405 freeway.
Base location matters significantly for Los Angeles fans. Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica and the Westside are all viable bases, each requiring either a Metro C Line trip or a rideshare journey. The Hollywood Park zone adjacent to the stadium has its own hotel inventory and direct walking access to the gates — for fans who want maximum convenience, staying in the stadium precinct is a straightforward option.
How do fans travel to SoFi Stadium from LAX and downtown LA?
The Metro C Line is the fastest and most reliable option for most supporters. From downtown LA's 7th Street/Metro Center, trains reach Hollywood Park station in approximately 35 minutes. From LAX, passengers use the free LAX Connector shuttle to Aviation/LAX station, then take the C Line for two stops south to Hollywood Park — total journey from terminal to stadium gates is approximately 25 minutes.
I-405 traffic on match days can be severe, and rideshare surge pricing in the post-match window around SoFi is consistently high. Pre-booked parking in the Hollywood Park lots is available but expensive. The Metro C Line is the clearest advice for fans staying downtown or near any C Line station. Supporters driving from further afield should budget at least 90 minutes from most southern California origin points during peak tournament traffic.
What is the fan experience like in Los Angeles during the World Cup?
Los Angeles brings a uniquely commercial and multicultural dimension to the tournament. LA's Mexican, Central American, Brazilian, Japanese, Korean and European communities will generate genuine support for multiple nations, and the city's restaurant geography — from Korean barbecue in Koreatown to Brazilian spots in Little Brazil — means fans of almost every qualifying nation will find food and culture that reflects home.
The Hollywood Park development adjacent to SoFi has restaurants, event lawns and hotel infrastructure that creates a pre-match village around the venue. Ancillary fan events may be hosted at other LA venues including the Crypto.com Arena complex and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The Fan Festival site has not been officially confirmed but is expected in either downtown LA's Grand Park area or in the Inglewood entertainment zone.
Is Los Angeles worth visiting for the USA's World Cup opener on June 12?
The USA vs Paraguay match on June 12 is scheduled at SoFi Stadium and will be the highest-profile US group opener of the tournament. National team supporters from across southern California, Arizona and Nevada will converge on Inglewood, and the match is expected to sell out quickly. The cultural weight of the host nation's opening match at the Los Angeles stadium — in front of one of the largest metropolitan populations in the tournament — makes June 12 one of the must-see group fixtures of 2026.
The USA opener is the single hardest ticket in the city by demand. Beyond that match, the eight-fixture allocation gives Los Angeles a range of group-stage options for flexible fans. The quarter-final on July 10 is a Friday, which suits supporters flying in from Europe or South America for a long-weekend tournament experience. Book accommodation early — LA hotel rates in June and July are already high before the World Cup premium is applied.
City snapshot
How many World Cup 2026 matches does Los Angeles host, including the quarter-final?
Los Angeles hosts eight World Cup 2026 matches at SoFi Stadium, including a quarter-final on July 10 and the USA vs Paraguay group opener on June 12. Eight matches places LA among the highest-allocated host cities in the entire tournament outside the final venue.
The USA opener on June 12 and the July 10 quarter-final are the two peak demand dates in the city. Between those anchor matches, six group and round-of-32 fixtures provide significant opportunities for fans attending the tournament across multiple weeks. Early booking of both flights and accommodation is essential — the city is already at peak tourism capacity in late June through July.
Los Angeles is also a major international air hub, with LAX offering direct routes from virtually every major city in the world. For supporters building a multi-city US itinerary, LA works as either an arrival or departure point alongside fixtures at other west coast venues. The Metro C Line now removes the logistical friction that previously made SoFi challenging to reach, making LA one of the more navigable large-city World Cup venues.
