The World Cup is underway, and the fan fever is palpable across LA.
This week, you can find free watch parties via LA’s Kick it in the Park program at MacArthur Park, El Sereno Recreation Center, the Taper Auditorium at downtown’s Central LA Public Library and more. Big celebrations are planned for Thursday’s South Korea v. Mexico game in Koreatown and Boyle Heights.
Meanwhile, here’s what’s in store at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium (ahem, Los Angeles Stadium):
- 6 p.m. Monday, June 15: Iran v. New Zealand
- 12 p.m. Thursday, June 18: Switzerland v. Bosnia-Herzegovina
- 12 p.m. Sunday, June 20: Belgium v. Iran
Our World Cup guide has everything you need to know to enjoy the matches. And read on for updates about how LA is experiencing the tournament.
8:28 p.m. Thursday, June 18
Fans in Boyle Heights cheer Mexico’s win against South Korea
Boyle Heights’ 1st Street was electric as Mexico defeated South Korea 1-0 Thursday. Fans climbed light posts, celebrated on the roofs of local businesses and threw their beers up in the air as the clock ticked down.
Several hundred people turned out for the neighborhood block party, which shut down 1st Street near Mariachi Plaza to make way for a big screen. Even after the match was over, the party continued as music performances took the stage near Eastside Luv.
—Laura Anaya-Morga
7:42 p.m. Thursday, June 18
Here’s how Boyle Heights reacted to Mexico’s goal against South Korea
6:35 p.m. Thursday, June 18
‘We’re against each other, but we’re also here for each other’: Koreatown World Cup watch party
More than a thousand fans gathered at Seoul International Park several hours before kickoff in the Mexico v. Korea match on Thursday.
The watch party featured a variety of activities, including a mechanical bull-riding station, mini soccer games and carnival-style games where attendees could win stuffed animals.
Ricardo Gutierrez, from Wilmington, sported a green Mexico jersey, but felt a sense of camaraderie in the air at the pre-game festival.
“We’re against each other, but we’re also here for each other,” Gutierrez said while sporting the flags of both teams painted on his face.
5:25 p.m. Thursday, June 18
Fans pack Boyle Heights’ 1st Street for Mexico vs. Korea watch party
Despite air quality advisories related to Wednesday’s hazmat fire in Boyle Heights, the World Cup Block Party on 1st Street is in full swing.
Fans showed up sporting jerseys and lucha libre masks, waving Mexican flags, eager to watch the Mexico vs. South Korea match Thursday evening.
Local businesses and vendors set up canopies along 1st Street between Vicente Fernandez and State streets to welcome attendees and sell products.
A giant puppet of a woman with soccer cleats and a soccer ball roamed the grounds of the event. They were brought together by a collective of artists through the organization Community Arts Resources (CARS) to “celebrate the unity of the people of Los Angeles,” said Emeka Simmons, a San Pedro artist who helped create the puppets.
—Laura Anaya-Morga
3:37 p.m. Thursday, June 18
World Cup fan hub in Boyle Heights opens after delays
5:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 17
A week into the 2026 World Cup, a new fan hub has opened in Boyle Heights that hopes to welcome thousands of soccer fans from across Los Angeles as well as locals.
Hosted by Ace*Mission Studios, the 18-acre film production and event space adjacent to the LA River, the World Cup Fan Hub will showcase over 70 live matches on a 34-foot by 24-foot LED screen until the end of the tournament on July 19. The event website also touts a local artisan market, cultural programming, local food options, a beer garden and entertainment, though event schedules and a list of participating vendors have not yet been announced.
Inglewood and LA Metro respond to complaints of World Cup blocking locals from their neighborhoods
At least two videos — one on TikTok and the other on Instagram — caused widespread outrage because of officers’ treatment of locals.
“The City wants residents to know that denying access to homes has never been and will never be part of Inglewood’s traffic management plan for FIFA World Cup matches or any other event,” read the traffic update from Inglewood Mayor James Butts, which was posted on Instagram.
In the same post, Metro LA released a statement explaining that they requested assistance from the LA County Sheriff’s Department to support bus movement out of the area, but did not call for “complete street closures.” They explain that Metro and Inglewood are coordinating a plan to better mitigate traffic around the stadium.
3:10 p.m. Wednesday, June 17
South LA fans believe Argentina can win the World Cup again
12:33 p.m. Wednesday, June 17
Where to buy World Cup jerseys, flags and gear in Boyle Heights
World Cup fever has arrived in Los Angeles, and fans everywhere are showing off their team pride with jerseys, hats, ponchos and other soccer-themed gear. Some are even dressing their pets in their favorite team’s colors.
Whether you’re looking for merch for your next watch party, family carne asada, or just want to be part of the World Cup energy, we’ve got you covered with Boyle Heights spots selling World Cup gear.
1:22 p.m. Tuesday, June 16
Ahead of Mexico vs. South Korea match, some LA fans are rooting for a tie
World Cup fans usually know exactly who they’re rooting for.
Ask around Los Angeles ahead of Thursday’s match between Mexico and South Korea, though, and you’ll find plenty of fans who would be perfectly happy if neither side won.
“I think we should just tie because I think that would be the most peaceful option,” said Edmund Kim, who attended South Korea’s opening-match watch party in Koreatown with his girlfriend, Ruth Perez.
12:17 p.m. Tuesday, June 16
Road closures, parking and other things to know before Boyle Heights’ FIFA World Cup block party
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.
Click here for everything you need to know before heading out.
9:49 a.m. Tuesday, June 16
At MacArthur Park, the World Cup brings back a sense of community
Longtime Westlake resident Steve Granados grew up going to MacArthur Park, so attending a World Cup watch party there felt familiar. What surprised him though was that after everything the community has endured over the past year, residents were still willing to gather in the park to celebrate together.
5: 45 p.m., Monday, June 15
See how some Iranian Americans arrived at SoFi Stadium on Monday
9: 15 a.m., Monday, June 15
Iranian Americans plan protests and watch parties ahead of team’s World Cup opener
Iranian Americans are torn over Iran’s participation in the World Cup, as some community members plan to watch Monday’s match and others plan to protest outside the stadium where the team will play.
A rally is planned for outside the stadium near Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran. Many of Southern California’s Iranian Americans arrived after the Islamic Revolution, and a hub of eateries, shops and markets about 10 miles from the stadium is known as “Tehrangeles.”
6 a.m. Monday, June 15
United by love, divided over the World Cup – how a Koreatown man and his Mexican-American wife plan to watch the game
As Korean-born Bonyub Koo’s relationship with his Mexican-American wife, Mirella Vargas, deepened, he couldn’t help but notice the similarities between their cultures.
She introduced him to caldo de res, a traditional Mexican beef and vegetable soup. He couldn’t help but compare it to soegogi-muguk, a beef and radish soup popular in Korean cuisine.
“Mexican and Koreans are similar in so many ways,” Koo said. “Taste wise, Mexican food is super similar to Korean food. There’s so many similar flows.”
Read more about the couple and the World Cup game that may put them at odds.
Sunday, June 14
Your new favorite World Cup spot is hidden inside a downtown LA loading dock
For 39 straight days — the entire World Cup competition from start to finish — Chef Diego Argoti of Estrano, the viral street pasta pop-up, and formerly Poltergeist, will be cooking over a live, open fire in a loading dock. There’s freshly brewed beer made just steps away. No reservation, no dress code. Just cold beer, good food, and every World Cup match on.
Estrano Verano is the World Cup viewing destination you haven’t heard of yet — but will.
Saturday, June 13
Where to eat near SoFi Stadium during the World Cup
Thousands of international soccer fans are about to descend on Inglewood for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. SoFi Stadium is the tournament’s premier venues — but the best reason to spend time in the neighborhood has nothing to do with what’s happening on the pitch.
Inglewood’s food scene reflects a city where Black and Latino residents make up nearly 90% of the population. These aren’t tourist traps — they’re the spots locals have been eating at for years, from a James Beard-recognized soul food diner open since 1983 to a carnitas truck with roots in Michoacán.
Saturday, June 13
Why aren’t hotels full for the World Cup — and what does it mean for LA?
The World Cup kicks off tomorrow but you wouldn’t know it from hotel bookings.
“There is quite a lot of hotel availability throughout the region,” said Jackie Filla, CEO of the Hotel Association of Los Angeles. “Visitor rates are not meeting expectations currently.”
