Yvonne Roman, center, of Glendale, along with other fans of the Mexican National team celebrate as Mexico scores its second goal against South Africa at a 2026 FIFA World Cup watch party held at Benny Boy Brewing on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the game played at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. (Gary Coronado / For The LA Local)
Yvonne Roman, center, of Glendale, along with other fans of the Mexican National team celebrate as Mexico scores its second goal against South Africa at a 2026 FIFA World Cup watch party held at Benny Boy Brewing on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the game played at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. (Gary Coronado / For The LA Local)

Boyle Heights’ 1st Street came to life last week as fans crammed into nearby businesses, bars and restaurants to watch Mexico defeat South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This week, the business corridor will be transformed into a neighborhood block party to welcome fans for the highly anticipated match between South Korea and Mexico. 

Here’s everything you need to know before heading out. 

When is the game? 

The match between Mexico and South Korea kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday. The two teams will be playing at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Where is the watch party? 

Where: 1st Street between Boyle Avenue and State Street 

When: The watch party begins at 4 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. 

What to expect: Along with broadcasting the game on a large LED screen near Eastside Luv, the street will be closed off to vehicles and instead taken over by local business, vendors, music performances and more. Metro, along with Angel City Football Club, will activate Mariachi Plaza Station as a “welcoming platform” with screens showing highlights of the match. No outside alcohol, coolers, large bags or backpacks will be allowed into the event. 

Ame Oropeza, center, of Los Angeles, along with other soccer fans cheer as Mexico plays South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup game at a watch party at Distrito Catorce in Boyle Heights on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the game played at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. (Gary Coronado / For The LA Local)
Ame Oropeza, center, of Los Angeles, along with other soccer fans cheer as Mexico plays South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup game at a watch party at Distrito Catorce in Boyle Heights on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the game played at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. (Gary Coronado / For The LA Local)

Parking and transportation

Only street parking will be available around the block party, and you may want to arrive early to find a spot. 

Event organizers are encouraging attendees to take public transit. (That’s why Metro is transforming the Mariachi Plaza Station to incentivize attendees to arrive there.)

Taking transit? Attendees can take the Metro E Line directly to Mariachi Plaza Station or Bus Line 74 to 1st / Boyle or 1st / State. The nearest Metro E Line paid parking lots are located at 177 S Alma Ave. in Boyle Heights and 255 S. Atlantic Blvd. in East LA. For more information on parking rates and capacity, check here.

What roads will be closed? 

Drivers should expect street closures along 1st Street from Boyle Avenue to State Street. Roads are expected to close around 11 a.m. on June 18 and will remain closed until midnight. 

Who else is involved? 

Many of the businesses along the corridor will be participating, including Espacio 1839, Street Tacos and Grill, Tenampal, Casa Fina, Birrieria Don Boni, SuperNova Thrift and Distrito Catorce. Un Solo Sol, Yeya’s Restaurant, Six Heights, Latinx with Plants, J&F Ice Cream and Pink & Boujee will also be participating. 

Some may offer food and merchandise outdoors or host DJs similar to past CicLAvia events in Boyle Heights. There will also be a stage with musical performances by Carlos y Charlos, Escaliente and Sonido Algo Leve.

Las Fotos Project, JD Sports, Neighborhood Music Schools, Ponte Your Moños and the Angel City Football Club supporter group, known as PodeRosas, are among the participating organizations.

Latino advocacy organization Maremoto, in partnership with PodeRosas, will have “Ice Out” screenprinting materials available at Distrito Catorce, and guests are encouraged to bring their own jersey or T-shirt to customize. 

For more information: Email boylehtschamber@gmail.com or follow @boyleheights_chamber on Instagram.

Samantha Salas, left, of Los Angeles, and Edgar Walton, of Los Angeles, along with Red Devils, supporters of the South Korea National soccer team, during a game against Czechia at the Koreatown’s 2026 FIFA World Cup watch party at Liberty Park on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Gary Coronado / For The LA Local)
Samantha Salas, left, of Los Angeles, and Edgar Walton, of Los Angeles, along with Red Devils, supporters of the South Korea National soccer team, during a game against Czechia at the Koreatown’s 2026 FIFA World Cup watch party at Liberty Park on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Gary Coronado / For The LA Local)

More World Cup events to keep on your radar: 

Kick it in the Park: LA parks are hosting more than 100 free FIFA World Cup watch parties across the city, including El Sereno Recreation Center, which will be showing 21 matches. 

Find the full schedule, additional celebrations and key information at kickit.lacity.gov.

Casa Mexico Los Angeles 2026: LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown LA will host Casa Mexico Los Angeles 2026, a five-week community-centered celebration of soccer and culture. The event will feature free public programs, including live match viewing parties, music, gastronomy, exhibitions and more.

Find the full schedule, additional celebrations and key information at casamexico.netlify.app.

Ace*Mission Studios: Ace*Mission Studios in Boyle Heights is hosting the 2026 World Cup Fan Hub, Los Angeles from Wednesday to July 19. Fans will get to watch over 70 live matches and enjoy local artisan markets, cultural programming, local food options, a beer garden and entertainment. Children 12 and under get in free, and adult tickets start at $14.51.

More 1st Street watch parties: Distrito Catorce and Six Heights on 1st Street will be screening several matches this month. Check out the full list of events here.

Boyle Heights Beat reporter Alejandra Molina contributed to this story.

My background: I’m originally from Fontana in the Inland Empire and have spent most of my career covering local news for Latino communities in Los Angeles. Most recently, I led coverage of the historic 2024 Latino vote in Nevada as editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal en Español. Before that, I was the Bilingual Communities Reporter at the Long Beach Post, getting to know the city’s vibrant Spanish-speaking communities.

What I do: I cover topics that will help residents in Boyle Heights and East LA navigate and understand the issues they encounter in their everyday lives while also seeing themselves reflected in the stories we spotlight.

Why LA?: I have vivid memories of visiting El Mercadito in Boyle Heights with my family and indulging in gorditas, esquites and nieves de limón before our hour-long drives back to the IE. The struggles of underserved communities are felt across county borders and I’m eager to report on a community that reminds me of home.

The best way to contact me: My email is laura@boyleheightsbeat.org.

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