Southern California World Cup fans: You don’t need a pricey ticket to bask in all the hoopla

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If you’re a fan of international football and can’t afford those mammoth ticket prices, there will be scores of World Cup fan experiences planned around the Los Angeles area in the days ahead. There will be viewing parties, concerts, festival and more. And, oh yes, some soccer matches, too.

Of course, Southern California fans aren’t the only ones who can enjoy World Cup fever. As is the custom, the 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States that are hosting games will all have Cup-themed festivals, or fan zones.

These are designated areas, often in parks and public squares, where fans can watch the games, enjoy food and beverages, take in some entertainment and buy official merch. It’s also a chance for cities to showcase local culture.

At least 78 fan fests are sanctioned by the FIFA host city organizing committees, according to the Associated Press.

But there are many more than that. For example, some 20 Major League Soccer teams across the continent are hosting events tied to the World Cup, with other teams partnering with the host city fan fests. And countless taverns, restaurants, schools and other gathering spots will host viewing parties and other activities.

Here in the Southland, the FIFA Fan Festival will kick off its list of activities at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Thursday.

The event will welcome fans with big screens to watch all eight matches, as well as several booths and vendors, live entertainment, a chance to enter giveaways, and more.  The four-day event will feature live match broadcasts, musical performances, fan activations, international food offerings and cultural programming.

“This has been an eight-year journey to bring the World Cup to Los Angeles, and we are so excited to be kicking it off,” said Kathy Schlossman, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, and CEO of the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee, during an event preview on Wednesday.

“The fan festival is a great opportunity, not just for visitors to be part of the World Cup,” Schlossman said, “but for our Angelenos to participate. This is a four-day event, a very affordable, family-friendly event.”

The festival will include16 different opportunities — including events hosted by the LAFC and Galaxy pro soccer teams — during which kids get to play soccer.

There will also be characters and team mascots roaming the Coliseum’s historic grounds and lots of other activities for kids — and an air taxi by Archer will also be on display.

Other festival highlights include a Thursday watch party for Mexico’s match against South Africa, along with performances by Los Lobos and Deorro; and on Friday, fans will be able to watch the United States face Paraguay while Steve Aoki and DJ Ravidrums perform. Capital Cities is scheduled to perform Saturday, while Sickick and Normani are slated to appear Sunday.

Tickets are $10, while children 12 and younger will be admitted free.

Other opening-week events include the FIFA Countdown Concert on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena, part of a synchronized celebration linking Los Angeles, Toronto and Mexico City ahead of the tournament. The Los Angeles show is scheduled to feature Diplo’s Major Lazer, Davido and Ava Max.

Adidas also will launch its “Home of Soccer” activation Thursday at BMO Stadium. The free event will include a public watch party for the World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa, activities tied to Adidas’ nationwide adiCup youth tournament and a second watch party for South Korea’s match against the Czech Republic. The day will conclude with performances by Noodles and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Peso Pluma, according to organizers.

Organizers also announced a series of official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zones that will operate throughout the tournament:

— The Original Farmers Market, June 18-21;

— Downey, June 20;

— Union Station, June 25-28;

— Hansen Dam Lake, July 2-5;

— Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park, July 4-5;

— Whittier Narrows, July 9-11;

— Venice Beach, July 10-11;

— Fairplex in Pomona, July 14-15 and July 18-19;

— West Harbor in San Pedro, July 14-15 and July 18-19; and

— Downtown Burbank, July 18-19.

Meanwhile, fans also can purchase official tournament merchandise at FIFA World Cup 2026 retail pop-up stores now operating across the region. Organizers said the locations offer jerseys, apparel, hats, scarves, accessories, mascot merchandise and other World Cup-themed products.

The stores are located on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, at Manhattan Village in Manhattan Beach, The Bloc and Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles, Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood and Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. Organizers said all six locations are expected to remain open through July 31.

Officials encouraged fans to review the full schedule of events, match listings, transportation options and “Know Before You Go” information by visiting losangelesfwc26.com.

World Cup-related events also are scheduled throughout Southern California during opening week.

Long Beach will host multiple events in collaboration with the L.A. Galaxy and the Downtown Long Beach Alliance.

During the World Cup group stages matches, Long Beach will host several free community events along Pine Avenue in downtown. Larger community events will also include parts of Broadway and Lincoln Park, the city said.

“Our city is ready to celebrate the world’s game in a way that is true to who we are, and we look forward to keeping this momentum going by providing even more opportunities for every resident to have a chance to be part of this once-in-a-generation moment,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a previous statement.

Those larger activations, which the city has dubbed “marquee events,” will include live match viewing parties, L.A. Galaxy player and alumni appearances, youth programming, fan areas, giveaways, limited-edition merch sales and more.

And during the World Cup knockout stage, Long Beach is also planning to host free watch parties and other soccer-related programming at local parks across the city.

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All the World Cup related fanfare will culminate with a one-day open streets event — akin to the city’s Beach Streets events — in multiple neighborhoods across Long Beach on July 19, which will open up streets to pedestrians and bicyclists.

The L.A. Galaxy will also host free youth soccer clinics for children ages 6-14 from 3 to 5 p.m. June 12 and from 9 to 11 a.m. June 19 at Lincoln Park, 101 Pacific Ave. The clinics are free, but registration is required and space is limited.

For the full schedule of Long Beach events, go to longbeach.gov/pages/city-news/soccerinlbc/.

Hermosa Beach will also be hosting a similar celebration with the L.A. Galaxy from July 14 to 19.

The free event, which will take place south of the Hermosa Beach Pier, will feature live World Cup semifinal and final matches on a big-screen, as well as player and alumni appearances, youth programming, music, giveaways and other festivities.

The event’s first day will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 14, featuring the first semifinal match. The second day, featuring the second semifinal, will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the following day. The third-place match will be streamed from 1 to 4 .m. July 18, and the final match event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 19.

A series of youth soccer sessions, for a fee, will take place on July 18 and 19 as part of the celebration “providing opportunities for young players to learn the game in a fun, inclusive environment led by Galaxy Youth coaches,” according to a recent news release.

For details, go to lagalaxy.com/soccercelebration.

On Thursday, Ovation Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., will launch its World Cup watch party series with a free public viewing of Mexico’s match against South Africa beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Ovation Hollywood Courtyard.

Also Thursday, Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors will host a free viewing party beginning at 11 a.m. at Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey. The event will feature broadcasts of the World Cup opening ceremony, Mexico vs. South Africa and South Korea vs. the Czech Republic, along with food trucks, arts and crafts, lawn games, a photo booth and live entertainment.

On Friday, Santa Monica Place, 395 Santa Monica Place, will host a free USA Kick Off Celebration from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. featuring broadcasts of Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States vs. Paraguay, along with DJs, games, giveaways, food vendors and fan activities.

Pride House Los Angeles/West Hollywood will present “Celebramos la Cultura Latina” beginning at 4 p.m. Friday at Beaches Tropicana, 8911 Santa Monica Blvd. The event will feature a watch party for the United States-Paraguay match, live entertainment and performances celebrating Latin culture and LGBTQ+ pride.

At 4 p.m. Friday, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, the Consulate General of Paraguay in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Parks Foundation and Street Food Cinema will host “Fútbol for the People” at the Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way in Griffith Park.

The free event will include food vendors, games and a large-screen broadcast of the United States-Paraguay match.

Los Angeles County Parks will also offer a series of free Soccer Watch Parties at parks across the county from June 12-26. Officials said the events will feature live match broadcasts on giant LED screens, youth soccer clinics, family-friendly games, refreshments, halftime activities and inflatable attractions.

The watch parties are scheduled for Stephen Sorensen Park in Palmdale on June 12, Walnut Nature Park in Walnut Park on June 18, Amelia Mayberry Park in Whittier on June 24, George Lane Park in Quartz Hill on June 25 and El Cariso Regional Park in Sylmar on June 26.

The City of Pasadena also will host a free public watch party beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Pasadena Civic Auditorium Plaza, 300 E. Green St. Organizers said the event will feature food trucks, family-friendly activities, soccer-themed games, live music, a beer garden and a live broadcast of the United States-Paraguay match.

Additional Friday watch parties are scheduled throughout the region, including a 4:30 p.m. event at the Carson Event Center, 801 E. Carson St.; a 4:30 p.m. viewing at Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood; a 5 p.m. viewing party at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey; a 5 p.m. “One Nation Under Gol” celebration at Duarte Sports Park, 1401 Central Ave.; and a 5 p.m. community watch party at Veterans Memorial Park, 4117 Overland Ave. in Culver City.

All will feature live broadcasts of the United States-Paraguay match along with food, entertainment or family-oriented activities.

Events aren’t limited to L.A. County — Orange County and the Inland Empire will get in on the act.

In Ontario, Greater Ontario California (GOCAL) and The Inland will host a World Cup Final Watch Party on Sunday, July 19. Toyota Arena will include large screens, concessions, local vendors and family‑friendly activities, including a Kids Zone presented by the Empire Strykers. The event is free to attend, but tickets are required. Parking is $15 per vehicle. Information: toyota-arena.com/plan-your-visit/parking-guide.

OCVIBE will host watch party for the July 19 Cup final at the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, noon to 4 p.m.; doors open at 11 a.m. Information and tickets: ocvibe.com/finalwatchparty.

Huntington Beach’s Old World Village will host a Soccer Fest starting Thursday. Included: A watch party for the Germany-Curacao match, Saturday at 10 a.m. (doors open at 9 a.m.) Information and reservations: visitoldworld.com/.

The Associated Press, City News Service, and staff writer Michael Hixon contributed to this report 

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