Los Angeles will stage eight matches at the 2026 World Cup, including two US group games and three knockout ties at SoFi Stadium. Betting angle: strong home support makes the US a safer early-market selection and could favour over-goals and win-draw-win markets at SoFi, while neutral knockout ties may see shorter odds for established continental powers.
Los Angeles set to be a World Cup epicentre in 2026
Los Angeles will host eight matches at the 2026 World Cup, with the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood the focal point. The city’s schedule includes two of the USMNT’s group games plus multiple knockout fixtures, putting LA among the tournament’s most important host cities.
US group fixtures and other scheduled matches
The USMNT, managed by Mauricio Pochettino, will open their campaign at SoFi Stadium against Paraguay on June 12. Other group matches at the venue include Iran vs New Zealand on June 15, and Switzerland vs a UEFA qualifier (possible opponents: Wales, Northern Ireland or Italy) on June 18.
Belgium face Iran on June 21, and the US return to SoFi for their final group game against a play-off winner. SoFi will also host three knockout fixtures: two last-32 matches and one quarter-final.
SoFi Stadium: a world-class matchday stage
SoFi Stadium is one of the most advanced arenas in global sport. Opened in 2020 and privately financed by Stan Kroenke, the venue seats about 70,000 spectators and features a massive canopy and an oval Infinity Screen — roughly 70,000 square feet of LED that hangs over the pitch and provides clear sightlines from across the bowl. The stadium shares Hollywood Park in Inglewood with other major venues, creating a compact sports and entertainment district.
Matchday atmosphere and betting implications
The SoFi environment — large-capacity crowds, a rowdy home support for US fixtures and cutting-edge fan tech — will influence markets. Expect home-team price suppression for the US, higher volumes in match-winner and goals markets, and potentially sharper lines for live betting as crowd energy fuels momentum swings.
Fan zones and public festivals across LA
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will host the FIFA Fan Festival kickoff from June 11–15, offering live match streams, music, cultural programming and food celebrating the city’s diversity. Beyond the Coliseum, the wider LA region will feature dozens of fan zones, from Venice Beach to Union Station, providing multiple viewing and celebration hubs for fans unable to get to SoFi.
Where to stay and getting around
Los Angeles offers accommodation across a wide range of neighbourhoods — from beachfront Venice to upscale Beverly Hills and central Inglewood near SoFi. Travelling between venues in LA will often require planning for traffic and public-transport options, especially on high-demand matchdays.
LA’s packed sporting calendar and home clubs
Los Angeles has an intense sports calendar in the coming years: the city hosts eight World Cup games in 2026, SoFi returns to stage the Super Bowl in 2027, and the 2028 Olympic Games arrive soon after.
Domestically, SoFi is home to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers; the Intuit Dome hosts the LA Clippers; the Crypto.com Arena is home to the Lakers and the Kings; the Dodgers play at Dodger Stadium; and MLS and NWSL action comes from Dignity Health Sports Park, BMO Stadium and other local grounds.
Beyond football: culture and attractions for visitors
Cosm offers immersive, planetarium-style shared-reality experiences ideal for fans seeking larger-than-life screenings. Car enthusiasts can explore the Petersen Automotive Museum’s century-spanning automotive displays. For iconic views, e-bike tours up Mt. Lee Drive deliver close-up panoramas of the Hollywood Sign. Studio tours at major lots give a behind-the-scenes look at film and TV production — useful downtime for visitors between matches.
What this means for fans and punters
Los Angeles promises an electric tournament atmosphere that will shape betting markets: expect a home bias for the US in pre-match and outright markets, lively in-play volatility at SoFi, and robust activity around goals/over markets driven by stadium energy. Savvy bettors should monitor fan allocations, transport logistics and likely crowd composition when sizing stakes for local fixtures.
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With LA hosting eight matches at the World Cup in 2026, FourFourTwo gives you the low down of what to do in the City of Angels on and off the pitch.
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