Los Angeles, our megaevent age is upon us. Today begins a new chapter: over the next two years, our region will be visited by millions — maybe? maybe not? — as we assert our global status as the host with the most. And it all starts with this 39-day test run. Let this guide serve as a mission statement, a calendar of events, and an invitation to help shine a light on LA's public spaces, public transit, and public benefits — including what, if anything, will be left for Angelenos after FIFA leaves town.
This guide is being regularly updated with new information and events. Support Torched with a one-time contribution or paid subscription. Paid subscribers get an invite to the Torched party in September — see you there!
As your far-flung correspondent, I'll be putting a heavy emphasis on the activations of Metro and the city of LA. I'll be testing the dedicated shuttles to SoFi. I'll be putting in serious bike share miles. And yes, I'm going to try to make it to all the fan zones — all 10 of them! (Can I also make it to all 19 LA city parks hosting watch parties? Stay tuned!) There will also be many bars, restaurants, and breweries to visit, some literally playing every single match: that's 104 games, 48 teams, three countries, one continent for those keeping track. I see these as wayfaring outposts, not necessarily destinations. If there's an exceptional outdoor viewing scene, please invite me — LA Al Fresco, your time to shine! — but I'm much more interested in the ephemeral celebratory infrastructures that test the limits of our permit-restricted urban landscape: pop-up beer gardens, innovative vending concepts, dance parties in the streets.
Disclaimer: This is not a guide for people who want to attend World Cup matches. (My only advice there is: Go Metro.) This is not really even a guide for watching World Cup matches. This is how to find the best of our city over the next 39 days — and how to help share what you discover so we can piece together a cohesive civic narrative. Because we are Los Angeles.
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How to use this guide
Torched readers know there are official World Cup events — and there's everything else. If events are ticketed, I highly recommend RSVPing, even for free tickets, as many of these have strict capacity limits and you could get turned away. The flip side of this is that you're going to be giving your information to promoters, brands, and potentially FIFA. Which is why I've separated out the two types of events below.
Official FIFA-sanctioned events
FIFA fan festival: June 11 to 14. Coliseum in Expo Park. $10, kids under 12 free
U.S. Soccer House: June 11 to 26. The official U.S. team hospitality house in Venice, free
Community events
Metro's transit-first activations: Station pop-ups, events easy to access on transit, and/or adjacent open streets. This is my gold standard as far as guides go, and all this information is also compiled on a very good-looking map
Discover LA: Yes, Discover LA is an official sponsor but there are plenty of community events on this calendar
NEW: Here are some of my recommended places to watch matches indoors due to air quality or heat: Grand Central Market basement (inside and also has great AC), Clifton's (forest-setting seating, kids allowed until 9 p.m.), Central Library (not playing all matches, no food or drink, but best viewing experience), the gorgeous One Culver City atrium (Monday through Friday only), the Hammer Museum's indoor theater,IKEA Burbank ("rock your favorite team’s gear, and show it off to our greeter to receive one FREE frozen yogurt voucher")
Getting around
Metro is running dedicated shuttles to matches, and I will be testing the experience, but regular transit service, including transit parking at stations, shouldn't be impacted — HOWEVER, please read this very important information about parking that will definitely impact your choices: On World Cup match days June 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 28 and July 2, 10: Regular transit parking (non-reserved) will be $10 at Harbor Gateway Transit Center, North Hollywood, Norwalk, Aviation/Imperial, Lakewood Bl, El Monte and Atlantic stations. Regular transit parking will NOT be available at Hawthorne/Lennox, Crenshaw and Pierce College stations. At Union Station, parking will be $65 on a first-come, first-served basis on match days as well as “Heart of the City: Los Angeles Union Station Fan Zone” event days: June 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, July 2, 10.
Metro Bike and Lime Bike both have passes that will save you money. I use both systems depending on where I'm going. I have an annual pass for Metro Bike where all rides under 30 minutes are free, and LimePrime pass where all rides under 20 minutes are $2.80. Here's a Lime referral for a $5 credit
Metrolink and Amtrak are both offering enhanced service, with reservations required on Amtrak
All Metro's shuttles will have the same accessibility as regular bus service. Here's LA City accessibility information. Most events have a number you can call ahead of time if you need accessibility accommodations
LA officials say ICE won't be doing immigration enforcement at games, but that's no guarantee for the region. Torched readers also know federal agencies are in charge due to security designations that are already in place for 2028. Keep in mind that you will see a whole range of uniforms. Just because it says "Homeland Security" doesn't mean it's ICE. Here's CHIRLA's rapid response hotline: 1-888-624-4752
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Torched's LA World Cup schedule
Many of these happenings run multiple days, but these are the days I'm planning on attending due to other events and/or my attempt at clustering events together due to transit accessibility. (Because of course I'm not driving.) Just because there's nothing listed on a specific day doesn't mean there's nothing happening; I just haven't set my schedule yet. This calendar is aspirational, subject to change, and will be updated regularly — so be sure to send me your tips!
June 25: Discofoot in WeHo. Union Station fan zone opens and turns the area around Union Station into a pedestrian plaza — like it should be all the time. Türkiye vs. USA at SoFi at 7 p.m.; watch at the Turkish Vibe Zone in Grand Park.
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