SoFi Stadium
Inglewood, CA · USA 🇺🇸 · Home of LA Rams / LA Chargers
About SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium sits at the heart of Hollywood Park in Inglewood, just south of central Los Angeles, and stands as one of the most ambitious sports venues ever built in North America. Opened in 2020 as the shared home of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, the stadium cost a reported five billion dollars and was conceived as an indoor-outdoor hybrid, with a translucent ETFE roof shielding fans from sun and rare rain while the sides remain open to the Southern California air. It has already hosted a Super Bowl, a College Football Playoff National Championship, and the closing ceremony of major touring concerts. For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, SoFi Stadium serves as the marquee West Coast venue, scheduled to host eight matches across the group stage, Round of 32, and Quarterfinal rounds. With Los Angeles as a host city, the stadium becomes a focal point of the tournament's American leg, combining global broadcast appeal, A-list infrastructure, and the kind of cinematic backdrop that FIFA tends to favor for high-stakes knockout football.
## A purpose-built showpiece
The venue was designed by HKS Architects with international events in mind, and the World Cup is the natural next stage in its short but headline-heavy history.
Matches hosted
SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host eight matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the largest match loads of any North American venue. The program spans the **group stage**, the **Round of 32**, and a **Quarterfinal**, meaning the stadium will see the tournament evolve from opening-round storylines into single-elimination drama. Group-stage fixtures bring a mix of confederations and a rotating cast of traveling supporters, while the knockout matches raise the stakes considerably, particularly the Quarterfinal, which is among the most coveted match types on the entire World Cup schedule. Specific teams and kickoff times are set by FIFA's draw process and broadcast windows. For up-to-date confirmed fixtures, kickoff times, and ticket category releases, refer to FIFA.com/tickets as the official source.
Getting there
Getting to SoFi Stadium on a World Cup matchday is a project, and the smartest fans plan transport before they plan anything else. The stadium sits roughly 15 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles and only a few miles east of LAX, which makes it convenient for arriving international fans but congested for locals.
## Public transit
The **K Line (Metro Rail)** is the most reliable option, with **Downtown Inglewood Station** about a 15 to 20-minute walk from the stadium. Matchday shuttle buses typically connect the station to the venue's drop-off zones. From downtown LA or Hollywood, transferring via the A Line or E Line to the K Line is straightforward, though expect crowded trains around kickoff windows.
## Driving and parking
On-site parking around Hollywood Park exists but is **limited, pre-paid, and books out early** for major events. Surrounding residential neighborhoods enforce strict matchday parking restrictions. Many fans use rideshare zones designated by SoFi for pickup and drop-off, located a short walk from the gates.
## Airport access
**LAX is roughly five miles away**, making it one of the closest major airports to any World Cup venue worldwide. Expect heavy traffic on Century Boulevard and the 405 freeway in the hours before kickoff. Arriving at the stadium two to three hours before the match is strongly recommended, especially for knockout fixtures with global broadcast windows.
Where to stay
Los Angeles has one of the deepest hotel inventories of any 2026 host city, but lodging decisions should be made early, since World Cup demand will compress availability across the metro area.
## Closest to the stadium
**Inglewood and El Segundo** offer the shortest commutes, with several mid-range and business hotels concentrated along Century Boulevard near LAX. These are practical, transit-friendly, and convenient for fans flying in. The trade-off is limited nightlife and dining within walking distance.
## Beach and lifestyle zones
**Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Marina del Rey** sit a short drive west, offering coastal scenery, walkable restaurants, and a vacation feel. Expect premium pricing, especially for ocean-view rooms, and plan transit to the stadium in advance.
## Broader Los Angeles
**Downtown LA, Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Culver City** all give fans access to the K Line or major freeways, and they provide the full Los Angeles experience: museums, restaurants, and entertainment districts. Downtown in particular is well-suited to fans who plan to combine sightseeing with matchdays. Booking flexibility, free cancellation, and a hotel near a Metro station are the three details worth prioritizing for World Cup travel.
Seating & sightlines
SoFi Stadium is an **indoor-outdoor hybrid**, a relatively unusual format for a stadium of its scale. A translucent ETFE roof covers the entire seating bowl and field, providing shade and protection from rare Los Angeles rain, while the sides remain open, allowing natural airflow throughout. The result is a venue that feels enclosed and acoustically alive without being a traditional dome.
## Bowl shape and capacity
The seating bowl wraps around a rectangular field configuration suited to football (soccer), with a capacity of around 70,000 for World Cup matches once temporary adjustments are made. The lower bowl runs steep and close to the touchline, particularly along the **east and west sidelines**, which are widely considered the best general areas for following play.
## Where the views are strongest
**Midfield sideline seats** in the lower and club levels offer the most balanced sightlines. **Behind-goal sections** put fans close to the action and tend to attract the most vocal traveling supporters. The upper bowl is steep but offers a strong tactical overview of the pitch. The massive double-sided **Infinity Screen** above the field is visible from every seat and will display match graphics and replays throughout the tournament.
Matchday experience
Matchday at SoFi Stadium is a logistical operation, and arriving early pays off across the board.
## Gates and security
Gates typically open **two hours before kickoff** for major events, and FIFA's security protocols are expected to be strict. Expect bag policy enforcement, metal detection, and ticket validation at multiple checkpoints. A **clear-bag policy** is standard, and arriving 90 minutes before kickoff is a reasonable minimum.
## Food and drink
Concessions at SoFi lean toward elevated stadium fare, with a mix of Southern California staples — tacos, smash burgers, sushi, plant-based options — alongside traditional hot dogs and beer. Lines for the most popular vendors get long; veteran fans tend to eat early or use mobile ordering where available.
## Atmosphere
The stadium's open sides keep crowd noise from feeling muddied, while the roof helps trap energy during big moments. With traveling supporters from multiple continents, expect singing, drumming, and color throughout the bowl, especially during knockout matches.
## First-timer tips
* Wear comfortable shoes; the walk from transit and parking is significant * Apply sunscreen — the open sides mean afternoon sun reaches many seats * Download tickets in advance; cell service can struggle at peak congestion * Hydrate; Inglewood summers are dry and unforgiving
Weather & climate
Los Angeles in **June and July** offers some of the most predictable summer weather of any 2026 host city. Daytime highs typically run in the upper 70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 25 to 30 degrees Celsius), with low humidity and minimal rainfall.
## What to expect
Mornings often start with the famous coastal layer of clouds known as 'June Gloom,' which usually burns off by midday. Afternoons skew sunny and warm, while evenings cool noticeably — particularly with ocean breezes reaching inland.
## Inside the stadium
Because SoFi Stadium is shaded by its translucent roof but open on the sides, fans get protection from direct sun while still feeling natural airflow. Afternoon kickoffs can still feel hot in exposed sections, so hats, sunglasses, and water are practical investments. Evening matches are typically very comfortable. Rainfall during the tournament window is extremely unlikely.
Tickets
Official World Cup tickets are sold exclusively through **FIFA.com/tickets**, FIFA's authorized ticketing platform. Sales are released in phases, beginning with random-selection draws and moving through first-come, first-served windows as the tournament approaches. Creating a FIFA account in advance and reviewing identification requirements before each phase is strongly recommended.
## Accessibility
SoFi Stadium offers accessible seating throughout the bowl, with companion seats and step-free access from transit drop-off zones. Requests should be made through FIFA's accessibility ticketing process.
## Hospitality
FIFA's official hospitality program offers premium packages with food, beverage, and dedicated entrances. These are sold through FIFA's appointed hospitality provider listed on FIFA.com/tickets.