When FIFA officials considered where to hold the World Cup final, they overlooked the sporting capital of the western hemisphere. Los Angeles lost the final to New York, snubbing the most glamorous, sun-drenched, and star-studded city on the planet. However, with its cutting-edge technology and stadiums that seem plucked from the future, the true winners of the World Cup may be those who experience life in Los Angeles.
While sports in LA may appear futuristic, local leaders insist it is not the future but the present. In recent years, LA has hosted a Super Bowl, WrestleMania, and the All-Star games of the NBA, MLB, and MLS. The city is now preparing for another golden era: the 2026 World Cup, Super Bowl LXI in 2027, and the 2028 Olympics. It is easy to see why LA is awarded so many major events. SoFi Stadium will be the standout venue of the World Cup, while the new Intuit Dome basketball arena takes technology to unprecedented levels.
SoFi Stadium: A Spaceship for Sports
SoFi Stadium is the jewel in America's sporting crown. This £4 billion mega-structure, privately funded by Arsenal's Stan Kroenke, resembles a spaceship from afar and is the most awe-inspiring arena ever built. As you walk to your seat, before even glimpsing the pitch, the 70,000-square-foot Infinity Screen looms overhead. Hanging in a giant oval above the field, it provides a perfect high-definition view from every seat in the 70,000-capacity stadium, creating a unique way to watch sports. The screen, the largest in the world, displays replays, stats, and entertainment that leave spectators amazed.
The NFL's LA Rams and LA Chargers call SoFi home. Next year, it will host Super Bowl 61, and the year after, it will transform into an Olympic swimming venue, likely where Leon Marchand becomes an all-time great. Otto Benedict, senior vice president of facility and campus operations, says, "There is no other place that can host these three events: the World Cup with eight matches, a Super Bowl, and the Olympics as a swimming venue. We will play a role in the opening ceremonies. From technology, hospitality, and campus size, this was designed as a global entertainment destination." He adds that the Infinity Screen will entertain, educate, and allow fans to experience more than a traditional soccer stadium. FIFA will use the screen to push content, especially given soccer's different flow compared to the NFL.
Intuit Dome: The Future of Fan Experience
Just down the road, the brand-new Intuit Dome takes innovation further. This gleaming home of the NBA's LA Clippers, driven by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, rewrites the rulebook on live sports. The best feature: queuing for concessions is obsolete. The Intuit Dome uses revolutionary 'GameFace ID' technology: register your face, walk in, grab food and drink, and exit without ever taking out your phone or wallet. Up to 52 cameras recognize you instantly and charge your account automatically.
Ballmer also built a terrifying fortress for opponents. Behind one hoop is a massive 4,500-seat single-tier stand called 'The Wall', reminiscent of Borussia Dortmund's Yellow Wall but supercharged with American showbiz. The first 300 seats are standing-room only, known as 'The Swell', packed with die-hard Clippers 'ultras' to intimidate visiting teams. In the 2024/25 season, visiting teams had the lowest free-throw percentage in the NBA at that arena. Like SoFi, the Intuit Dome has its own Infinity Screen and prioritizes spectator experience: fans always walk down to their seats, not up. A full-sized outdoor basketball court allows pick-up games before tip-off, making it a masterclass in sports entertainment.
Historic Venues and Community Focus
Alongside new technologies, LA boasts rich sports history. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where Daley Thompson defended his decathlon gold and Carl Lewis won four golds in 1984, will host the World Cup Fan Festival. Fans will watch games on giant screens, enjoy live music, diverse street food, and cultural experiences, starting with a five-day festival before the tournament. In 2028, the Coliseum will again host the Olympic flame.
Football is booming in LA. LA Galaxy, the original glamour club that signed David Beckham, put MLS on the map, but LAFC has become a community-focused powerhouse. Larry Freedman, LAFC president, says, "We felt a different way, more authentic to the world's game, built through community. Nothing brings people together better than the beautiful game." The NWSL's Angel City FC, backed by a star-studded Hollywood ownership group, also plays at BMO Stadium, drawing large crowds weekly, proving women's football is a powerhouse in LA.
The World Cup is expected to spark a second soccer boom in the US. Kathryn Schloessman, president of the LA Sports & Entertainment Commission, says, "It's a massive growth opportunity. We saw it after the 1994 World Cup when MLS was formed. Soccer is easy to take up—you only need a ball, no special equipment. It's much more accessible than other sports." She adds, "It's a tremendous opportunity for all 16 host cities to showcase themselves. We're working hard to ensure those without tickets still have a great World Cup experience."
So, while FIFA may have chosen New Jersey for the final, for pure sporting experience, the City of Angels is truly a City of Sporting Dreams.
Other Sports in Los Angeles
- MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers (Dodger Stadium), LA Angels (Angel Stadium)
- NHL: Los Angeles Kings (Crypto.com Arena), Anaheim Ducks (Honda Center)
- MLS: LA Galaxy, LAFC (BMO Stadium, shared with Angel City FC)
- Unique experience: COSM Los Angeles offers immersive viewing of Premier League, UFC, and more.
FIFA Fan Zones in LA During World Cup
- June 18-21: The Original Farmers Market
- June 20: City of Downey
- June 25-28: The Heart of the City - LA Union Station
- July 2-5: Hansen Dam Lake
- July 4-5: LA County's Earvin 'Magic' Johnson Park
- July 9-11: Los Angeles County Whittier Narrows
- July 10-11: Venice Beach
- July 14-15 & 18-19: Fairplex, West Harbor
- July 18-19: Downtown Burbank
Check LosAngelesFWC26.com for updates.
What Else to Try in Los Angeles
Visit the Petersen Automotive Museum for over 100 years of automotive history, including the first Ferrari and celebrity cars. Take an E-bike tour with Bikes and Hikes to see the Hollywood sign and stunning city views. Experience a film studio tour, such as Sony Pictures Studio Tour, where you might see props like McLovin's ID or the Breaking Bad caravan.
Where to Stay
We stayed at The Shay in Culver City, with modern rooms starting at $325 (£249) per night.
How to Get to Los Angeles
Virgin Atlantic flies direct from London Heathrow to Los Angeles, with return fares from £484 per person, including complimentary food, drink, and entertainment. Visit virginatlantic.com or call 0344 8747 747. Prices correct as of June 8, 2026.
For more information, visit discoverlosangeles.com.
