World Cup Update
LOS ANGELES WORLD CUP 2026 HOST COMMITTEE SHARES PLANS
FOR 39-DAY TOURNAMENT WITH LEADERS FROM 88 LA COUNTY CITIES
Committee provides extensive menu of community activities to help cities
spread the impact and excitement for World Cup throughout the County
LOS ANGELES (May 20, 2025) – The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee gathered leaders from 88 cities and other L.A. County communities today at the GRAMMY Museum to share information on its FIFA World Cup 26™ plans and outline opportunities for countywide participation.
Los Angeles is gearing up to stage eight matches at SoFi Stadium – including the U.S. Men’s National Team opening match and a Quarterfinal – and welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. The Host Committee leaders, including Co-Chairs Chris Klein and Larry Freedman and Host City Manager Kathryn Schloessman, encouraged cities across L.A. County to join as partners in delivering an unforgettable World Cup experience by organizing a range of activities leading up to and during the most celebrated global sporting event.
Municipal leaders are being encouraged to host viewing events and other fan gatherings to extend World Cup engagement throughout the county. In the leadup to the tournament, cities can help build enthusiasm by decorating streets with banners, organizing other promotional activities, and participating in community initiatives led by the Host Committee.
In addition to the matches, the Host Committee is planning a variety of World Cup related activities, including an opening week fan celebration at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and official viewing parties throughout the region. The Host Committee also announced that the portal for the World Cup volunteer program will be open for sign-ups soon.
“While Los Angeles is the official host city, we want to share the spotlight and make this World Cup a countywide celebration,” said Kathryn Schloessman, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission and Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee. “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.”
The Host Committee is working with Los Angeles Tourism, the official Tourism Board Promoter for Los Angeles as World Cup Host City, 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.,” said Adam Burke, President & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism. “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.”
Over the course of the next year, the Host Committee, in conjunction with the LA84 Foundation and Play Equity Fund, will host community engagement events with the mission of leaving a lasting legacy.
Community Legacy programs include:
- 26 Community Champions: A grant program that launched this spring to honor extraordinary organizations that work to uplift their communities through the power of soccer. Recipients will be announced on June 11.
- Grow the Game of Soccer Initiative: Soccer clinics across the region that are designed to empower and inspire the next generation of players. The first clinic will take place this fall.
- Beautification and Clean-Up Days: Volunteer clean up days where community members will revitalize and celebrate their neighborhoods across the greater Los Angeles area as we prepare to welcome visitors from around the globe.
“The World Cup will be a catalyst in Los Angeles that inspires new opportunities and embraces potential,” said Renata Simril, President & CEO of the LA84 Foundation, and President of the Play Equity Fund. “It will be more than a tournament. Football’s greatest stage will leave a lasting impact on our city long after the final game by enriching lives and transforming our communities.”
FIFA World Cup 26TM is the world’s largest single-sport event, and just one in an incredible string of global upcoming sporting events in the Los Angeles region, including Super Bowl LXI in 2027 and the Olympic & Paralympic Games in 2028.
For more information on FIFA World Cup 26™ Los Angeles and how to get involved, please fill out the expression of interest form or visit losangelesfwc26.com.
About the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission
The Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) is a nonprofit organization officially designated to attract, secure and support high-profile sports and entertainment events in Los Angeles and serves as the lead for the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 and Super Bowl LXI Host Committees. LASEC connects local businesses and communities with these major events to create lasting economic, cultural and social impact for the region. For more information, visit: LASEC.net
About the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee
The Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee was established to deliver a premier FIFA World Cup 26™ experience and drive lasting social, cultural and economic impact for the region. We serve as the liaison between FIFA and the Los Angeles region to harness opportunities surrounding the tournament to elevate our community. The Host Committee is co-chaired by LAFC Co-President Larry Freedman and former U.S. Men’s National Team player Chris Klein, led by the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC), and includes the Los Angeles Rams, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), and LA Galaxy. For more information, visit losangelesfwc26.com.
