World Cup 2026 in Los Angeles: Where to Stay, Watch, and Go
Words by Natalie A
LOS ANGELES IS READY FOR THE WORLD’S BIGGEST STAGE
The 2026 World Cup is coming to Los Angeles, and you want to be here for it. From June 11 through July 19, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood hosts eight matches, including the USMNT opener against Paraguay on June 12. For 39 days, this city will feel like one place. It’s chaotic, it’s electric, and K-Town is the best seat in the house.
This isn’t LA’s first rodeo. The city hosted the 1994 World Cup Final and the 1999 Women’s World Cup Final, and today it’s home to the LA Galaxy, LAFC, and Angel City FC. Soccer is in the DNA here. What that means for you: a city that actually knows how to host this thing, in a city that’s worth exploring even when there isn’t a match on.
The question is where to base yourself. The answer is Koreatown, and specifically, the LINE LA, which sits right in the middle of it. More on that in a second.
WHERE TO STAY FOR THE WORLD CUP IN LOS ANGELES
Here’s the thing about staying near SoFi Stadium: sure, you’re close to the matches. You’re also in Inglewood, which is great for game days and not much else. If you’re spending a week or more in LA – which, with matches running from June 12 through July 2, you probably are – you want to be somewhere that actually has stuff going on.
Koreatown is that place. It’s central, it’s walkable, it’s got Metro access that gets you to the stadium without the match-day traffic nightmare, and it’s surrounded by some of the best late-night food and bars in the city. It also happens to be where the LINE LA lives.
The LINE LA was built to celebrate this neighborhood. Its design, its restaurants, its energy. Guests get access to Openaire, the rooftop restaurant and bar with views over K-Town, plus flexible accommodations that work for solo travelers, couples, and groups who want to actually share the experience. Book early. Availability in Koreatown moves fast under normal circumstances. During the World Cup, it’s going to move faster.
PLANNING YOUR WORLD CUP TRIP TO LA
Book now.
The LINE LA offers boutique accommodations with genuine neighborhood access, the kind of property that sells out early for major events.
Take the Metro on match days.
Skip the gridlock around SoFi Stadium. From Koreatown, take the Purple Line from Wilshire/Western to 7th St/Metro Center, then connect to the Metro C Line toward the stadium. FIFA is expected to provide dedicated match-day shuttle services, check the Transit LA app for real-time updates.
Build your trip around the match schedule.
LA’s eight games run from June 12 through July 2, all at West Coast-friendly kickoff times (noon, 6 p.m., or 7 p.m. local). A multi-day stay lets you catch two or three matches while filling the days in between with the best of the neighborhood. Suggested rhythm: arrive June 11, attend the USMNT opener on June 12, spend mid-week exploring K-Town, and catch a second match before the week is out.
THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND KOREATOWN DURING THE WORLD CUP
Koreatown doesn’t need the World Cup as an excuse to be exciting, but the tournament makes it feel even more alive. Here’s how to spend your days between matches.
Eat Your Way Through K-Town
Koreatown has one of the most concentrated and celebrated dining scenes in all of Los Angeles. Start with Korean BBQ at classics like Park’s BBQ grab late-night fried chicken and beer (chimaek-style), or explore the banchan-laden menus along Western Avenue. The food alone justifies basing your trip here.
Recover at Wi Spa
Wi Spa is a Koreatown institution and one of the best places in the city to decompress after a long game day. This traditional Korean spa is open 24 hours and offers multiple hot tubs, saunas, cold pools, and body scrub services. Whether you go after the match or before an early kickoff, it’s an essential K-Town experience.
Explore the Neighborhood After Dark
Koreatown is a 24-hour neighborhood in the truest sense. Karaoke bars, including Break Room 86, located inside the LINE LA itself, stay open late and are a natural post-match destination. The stretch of Wilshire and Western is full of bars, clubs, and late-night spots that make K-Town one of the most reliably fun neighborhoods in the city after dark.
Day Trips to Nearby Neighborhoods
When you’re ready to venture out, Koreatown is perfectly positioned. Downtown LA and the Arts District are 10–15 minutes away, worth visiting for the Grand Central Market and the buzzing restaurant scene. Los Feliz and Griffith Park are a quick drive north, offering hiking trails with panoramic city views. Both make easy half-day trips before returning to K-Town for the evening.
WHERE TO WATCH THE WORLD CUP IN AND AROUND KOREATOWN
Can’t get a ticket to SoFi? Same as most people. The good news is that Koreatown was basically designed for exactly this situation: a neighborhood full of bars with late hours, great food, and an energy that stays high well past midnight. Here’s where to go.
FIFA Fan Festival™ at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
The official World Cup fan hub is a short drive from K-Town and it’s free. The historic LA Memorial Coliseum gets transformed into a full-on celebration – live match broadcasts, music, food, cultural programming. Think of it as the Tidal Basin of the World Cup, except louder. Hours and programming details are expected in spring 2026, so check FIFA.com for updates.
Biergarten (Koreatown)
A German pub in Koreatown sounds like a bit, but it works. Biergarten is a K-Town staple that regularly screens soccer, draws a genuinely diverse crowd, and gives you the option of pairing a cold beer with Korean fried chicken – which is frankly the correct way to watch a World Cup match.
Cham Gastropub (Koreatown)
A modern gastropub with a solid menu and reliable game-day energy. It’s close to the LINE, it’s good, and on match days it’s exactly what you want: a place where the game is on, the food is decent, and you don’t have to fight for a seat.
Openaire at the LINE LA
When you want something a little more elevated – pre-match cocktails with a view, or a post-game debrief with the group – the rooftop at Openaire delivers. Sweeping views over Koreatown, great drinks, and significantly fewer people arguing about offsides.
Tickets for SoFi Stadium matches can be purchased at FIFA.com/tickets. Availability is limited, so check regularly or look into hospitality packages if you need guaranteed access.
Ready to plan your World Cup trip? Explore accommodations and book your stay at the LINE LA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Where is the best area to stay for the World Cup in LA?
A:
Koreatown is one of the most strategically positioned neighborhoods for World Cup visitors as it is central, walkable, connected by Metro, and vibrant around the clock. Boutique hotels like the LINE LA put you directly in the neighborhood with local expertise and amenities that larger chain properties can’t match.
Q:
Which bars and restaurants near Koreatown will show World Cup matches?
A:
Biergarten and Cham Gastropub are solid options within the neighborhood. The official FIFA Fan Festival at the nearby LA Memorial Coliseum offers free public screenings throughout the tournament. Openaire at the LINE LA is ideal for pre or post-match gatherings in a more elevated setting.
Q:
How far is SoFi Stadium from the LINE LA?
A:
SoFi Stadium is approximately 12–15 miles from Koreatown, around 20–30 minutes by car outside of match-day traffic. Via Metro (Purple Line to 7th/Metro Center, then C Line), it’s a straightforward and stress-free ride, highly recommended on game days.
Q:
What cultural experiences should I pair with game days?
A:
Start with Koreatown itself. The food scene, Wi Spa, and late-night bar and karaoke culture can easily fill multiple days. For day trips, the Grand Central Market and Arts District in Downtown LA are close by, as are the hiking trails in Griffith Park. The neighborhood’s multicultural energy feels especially at home during a global event like the World Cup.
Q:
Are boutique hotels like the LINE LA better for fan travelers than chain hotels?
A:
For travelers who want more than a place to sleep, yes. The LINE LA is embedded in Koreatown, its restaurants, its design, and its staff all reflect the neighborhood. You get genuine local knowledge, great on-site amenities, and a property that makes LA feel accessible in a way that a generic airport-area hotel simply doesn’t.
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