It’s that time again: the World Cup is back and it’s bigger than ever before.
Anyone who thought the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan was a doozy is in for a treat, what with the U.S. hosting alongside Canada and Mexico this time.
Los Angeles will once again host a number of World Cup games, as it did in 1994 for the Men’s World Cup, and in 1999 for the Women’s World Cup.
Unfortunately, this is also the most expensive World Cup of all time, at least until the next one. Thankfully, there are plenty of places that will screen World Cup games for the low price of $0 or the price of a beer/drink.
There are also plenty of soccer-related events that are more community-oriented, as well as events for the diehards to trade and collect Panini stickers or add to their collection of jerseys. We even have a few events happening in the days before the World Cup.
Dive in below for our list of free, and not-so-free, events in L.A.
Pre-World Cup Events
Chinatowns Against FIFA
Activists from the Coast To Coast Chinatown Solidarity Network, representing the Chinatown neighborhoods from Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Vancouver, will host an online panel to discuss the potential and current impacts of the World Cup on their neighborhoods. The panel is scheduled for Sunday, June 7 at 10am.
(Online)
El Fútbol es del Pueblo Opening Reception
Hosted by Nico Avina and Espacio 1839, prepare yourself for the World Cup with a local 3v3 pickup game with your neighbors in Boyle Heights. There will also be plenty of art, music, community vendors, and shops open late. The event is on June 5, the week before the World Cup starts, from 6 – 10 p.m.
1839 E 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90033
Official FIFA World Cup Fan Zones & Events
FIFA Fan Festival
This is it! The big, official party. The Official FIFA Fan Fest takes places across the first four days of the World Cup at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. The historic venue will screen seven games from June 11 to June 14. Tickets required.
3911 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037
FIFA Fan Zones
What can you do if you can’t make it to the big, official party? You can hang out at the smaller, official parties. From Venice to Pomona, soccer fans can watch up to 39 games in 10 different locations, spread out across the county. Tickets required, prices vary.
Multiple locations: Burbank, Downey, Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park, Fairplex Pomona, Hansen Dam Lake, Los Angeles Union Station, The Original Farmers Market, Venice Beach, West Harbor, Whittier Narrows
Michelob Ultra Pitchside Club
The official beer sponsor of the FIFA World Cup will setup the Pitchside Club at the Santa Monica Pier from June 12 - June 25 for watch parties and giveaways galore. They’ll also host a VIP party on June 11 with guests Kevin Hart, Snoop Dogg, DJ Pee Wee (aka Anderson .Paak), and Disco Lines.
Santa Monica Pier
Watch Parties & Other Events
Adidas Home of Soccer & Saturdays Football
What’s the next best thing to watching the opening match in Mexico City? That would be watching it at BMO Stadium for free during a 12-hour event on June 12 that includes a free concert by Peso Pluma. Plus, more live music, freebies, a little 3v3 action, AND a screening of the South Korea v Czech Republic game too! Free, but tickets are still required.
3939 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037
After Hours with James Corden Live
James Corden and Ian Karmel of “The Late Late Show With James Corden” are returning to late night, and bringing Manchester United / England legend Rio Ferdinand with them. The trio will discuss the events of each match day live from the Fox Studios lot and YOU, yes, YOU, can be in the audience. June 11-24. Tickets required.
10201 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064
Burton Chace Park Viewing Parties
For everyone wayyyyyy out on the western side of the county, the city of Marina Del Rey will host a handful of watch parties for select games at Burton Chace Park. It’s a family-friendly event with music, games, a photo booth, food trucks and more. The screening for the quarterfinal match on July 18 will include a live concert by Los Lobos. There will also be rotating, large-scale sand sculptures at Mother’s Beach nearby.
13650 Mindanao Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Casa México Los Angeles
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes will convert itself into Casa México [on DATE], with the help of the Consulate General of Mexico, Telemundo 52, and Jive Live. The Plaza will screen every Mexico game and will also host screenings of a handful of other matches throughout the tournament.
501 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Copa Del Rave
If you like your football with a healthy dose of a late night rave, hit up the Copa Del Rave. Watch parties will be split between Exchange LA in downtown and Academy LA in Hollywood. Free with RSVP.
618 South Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90014; 6021 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028
For The Love Of The Game Market
Jersey collectors unite! Soccer Timeless Apparel jersey shop invades the West Covina Plaza on June 27 and July 18 for an indoor market and watch party. More than two dozen vendors will be on-hand selling rare fútbol jerseys and merchandise, plus raffles and more.
112 Plaza Dr., West Covina, CA 91790
Kick It In The Park
The city of Los Angeles (not to be confused with the county – too many of y’all are still making that mistake) will host its own World Cup celebrations. The events are free, family-friendly, packed with tons of fun events, and spread out across19 locations.
Multiple locations, from Cheviot Hills Recreation Center to Wilmington Recreation Center
Koreatown Watch Party Festival
16 Korean and Korean American organizations in Koreatown have organized massive watch parties for South Korea’s group stage games, scheduled to take place in Liberty Park and Seoul International Park. The first and third group stage games will be at Liberty Park, aka Wilshire Lawn Plaza, while the second group stage game at Seoul International Park will be a larger event, designed as a block party with part of Normandie Avenue closed to traffic.
Liberty Park on June 11 and June 24; Seoul International Park, June 18
LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration
The LA Galaxy will host numerous watch party events throughout the tournament in different cities. The fun begins in Long Beach with events for a few group stage games. The parties continue in Carson for the Round of 16 and ends in Hermosa Beach for the semi-finals, the bronze (third place) match, and the grand finale. Free with RSVP.
Long Beach, Pine Ave. between 3rd and Broadway / Carson, Galaxy Park / Hermosa Beach, South of the Hermosa Pier
Let’s Kick It
Project Earth and Zenith Eye Focus present a fútbol art installation exploring fútbol, cultura, and community. The event, which takes place on June 13 from 1 - 9 p.m., will convert the historic Fais Do-Do into an art space about the beautiful game.
5257 West Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016
Men In Blazers Match Day Live
Roger Bennett and Rory Smith will hit the road during the World Cup and take Men In Blazers LIVE on the road. Part tailgate, part television, part podcast, all fun! Free with RSVP.
June 12, Santa Monica Pier; June 25, Union Station
Mercado Mundial
The MidCity Mercado will convert into the Mercado Mundial on June 11 & June 27. The monthly market of local vendors and small businesses will partner with Nike to host game-day screenings in English and Spanish. Check back for events in July as well.
5640 W Adams Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90016
Pride House Debut Weekend
Pride House will celebrate the opening weekend of the World Cup with four (count them!), FOUR events, including live match-day screenings as well as special, one-of-a-kind experiences, such as the Bad Bunny-inspired halftime show during the USA vs. Paraguay opening game and a conversation between USWNT legends Christen Press and Tobin Heath. Tickets required.
8911 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Sticker Trading Days @ Classic Football Shirts
This is the place to be every Sunday from now until July 12 IF you’re one of the millions obsessed with Panini stickers. Trading hours are from 12pm - 2pm.
447 N. Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Total Soccer Show Live
The gang from the Total Soccer Show are coming to L.A. and YOU can get in on the fun during their live taping on June 11 at the El Rey Theater. Tickets required.
5515 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Wood Cup
Inglewood will host a community sports and cultural festival called The Wood Cup for the opening US match in Los Angeles on June 12. The event is in partnership with Metro Los Angeles and is a great way to celebrate near SoF-uh, sorry, Los Angeles Stadium. The fun starts at 2pm and ends at 6pm.
Market Street area, 546 W. Hillcrest Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90301
USA Kick Off Watch Party
The giant, outdoor shopping mall near the beach will get a game-day facelift on June 12 for the World Cup. The fun starts at 11 a.m. with plenty of music, fan experiences, and other fun events to accompany the screenings of the U.S.’s debut versus Paraguay, as well as Canada’s home debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina later in the day.
395 Santa Monica Place Santa Monica, CA 90401
Venice Fest: Summer Edition
The Venice Fest returns on June 20 to kick off the summer and some soccer too! In collaboration with VF, Fatty Mart will host Goals & Grooves from June 19 – 21. The mart will be converted into a full-on watch party experience with live broadcasts, food and drink specials, and more.
12257 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90291
Bars, Pubs, Restaurants & More
Bar Jubilee
This Sunset Strip spot will host every game throughout the tournament and serve all-day drink specials, too. Hit up the room full of billiards tables afterwards to unwind.
8911 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069
Blue Birdy Pub
The gang at Blue Birdy will screen every World Cup match and offer a $10 beer-and-shot special. They call it “elevated game-day viewing.” We call it a good and affordable time.
8917 W. Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069
Boomtown Brewery
Boomtown will host watch parties for USA, Mexico, and Brazil throughout the tournament. The brewery is the official home for the Barra 76, and will include Mexican food vendors during Mexico games,and unique Brazilian cuisine during Brazil’s games. Also on tap: lots of great beer.
700 Jackson St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Brewjeria Company
The Pico Rivera brewery and taproom will host watch parties throughout the tournament. Peep its socials for the calendar. Make sure to order the iconic Tomo La Flor while you’re there.
4937 Durfee Ave. Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Britannia Pub
The pub’s official “soccer hours” are from 8am - 2am, which means, yes, they will be open for each and every World Cup game this summer. They are also hosting watch parties for specific games, which are listed on their website.
318 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Busby’s West
Keep your schedule open because Busby’s West will have every game throughout the tournament.
3110 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Casita Del Campo
The Casita, a cute, little pink building on Hyperion, has been around since 1962 and will have plenty of screens to watch all the games inside, along with a menu of Mexican food favorites.
1920 Hyperion Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027
Common Space Brewery
Folks in the Hawthorne area should hit up Common Space. The family-friendly and dog-friendly brewery will be open for every single game throughout the tournament. Plenty of fresh beer and big screens.
3411 W El Segundo Blvd. Hawthorne, CA 90250
Cosm at Hollywood Park
If you got the dime (because this thing ain’t cheap), then head over to Cosm in Hollywood Park and watch the FOX Sports coverage of select World Cup games in front of a massive screen. The space will host 40 of the 104 games during the tournament, including a few of the games at SoFi Stadium. That way, you can join the post-game crowd for celebratory/anguished drinks.
1252 District Dr. Inglewood, CA 90305
Dialog Cafe
Fans of the US national team can watch the team at the cafe’s WeHo location (don’t go walking into the spot inside Equinox by mistake!). The cafe will offer boozy drinks for $1 each time the USMNT scores. You better hope the Pepi Train comes in clutch on the rails!
8766 Holloway Drive West Hollywood, CA 90069
Distrito Catorce
Everyone in Boyle Heights can count on Distrito Catorce as their World Cup headquarters. The venue will screen every game in the tournament, which will also coincide with the launch of their summer menu.
1837 E. 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
Ditriot DTLA
Ditriot is partnering with Manojo Mezcal to convert their parking lot into a watch party for all three of Mexico’s group stage games. Feat. music by Que Madre and MC duties by Urban Pitch.
2117 Violet St. Los Angeles, CA 90021
Fuegos LA
Catch every World Cup game at Argentine Fuegos, but especially the ones featuring Latin American countries. That’s when they’ll offer their special menu.
3957 S Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90062
Lucky Baldwins
May you and your crew get lucky at Lucky Baldwins. All three of their locations will host each and every single game of the tournament.
Three locations: 21 Kersting Court, Sierra Madre, CA 91024 / 1770 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91106 / 17 S. Raymond Ave. Pasadena, CA 91105
Martin’s Event Center
Kick off opening day with this watch party for Mexico vs. South Africa, complete with a mariachi before the game, a DJ at halftime, and more live music afterwards with El Zarquillo Y Su Gente.
3215 W Manchester Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90305
Red Lion Tavern
The Tavern will open one hour before every early match and feature every single game throughout the tournament. Plenty of specials on drinks, brats, and pretzels as well.
2366 Glendale Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90039
Silverlake United
From the creator of The House of Football comes Silverlake United, a bar and restaurant in (you guessed it) Silver Lake. It’s wall-to-wall football action here all day, every day, and you can expect no less during the World Cup.
2630 Hyperion Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90027
State Social House
West Hollywood's State Social House will offer every game on three floors, including a cigar and smoking lounge to celebrate with a stogie or hookah after your team wins. Or just get sloshed upstairs in The Attic if your team loses/fails to make it to the next round.
8782 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
The Cat & Fiddle
Hollywood’s favorite British sports pub (is that an oxymoron?!) will be the place for England and U.S. games. The pub will host parties for both national teams in the outdoor patio and parking lot. They will also screen plenty of other games, but without the additional pomp and circumstance.
742 North Highland Avenue Hollywood, CA 90038
The Cathedral
The Cathedral is a new(-ish) venue in downtown Pomona that was once the Pomona YMCA. Today, it’s The Cathedral and The Union, just a few blocks north of The Fox Theater and The Glasshouse. The venue will host every Mexico and USA game in the group stage.
350 North Garey Ave. Pomona, CA 91767
The Fox & Hounds
As is their tradition, TF&H will be open for every game of the tournament, just as they do every four years.
11100 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604
The Greyhound Bar & Grill
The Highland Park-based football institution will host every game, so long as kickoff is after 12pm when they open. That, however, is subject to change depending on the game! Though you can bet they won’t be opening early for Germany v Curacao or Spain v Cape Verde. Sorry, fam.
5570 N. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90042
The Holloway
This Echo Park spot is next to what used to be the House Of Spirits liquor store from its hipster yesteryear. It was the best place to stop at before a show at The Echo. Nostalgia aside, you can find better booze here and plenty of TVs here to watch every game.
1320 Echo Park Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90026
Tom’s Urban
The Inglewood and DTLA locations are going to pop off for nearly every game, in which case, it’s recommended you buy tickets in advance. Otherwise, you’ll probably have to stare at one of the screens from across the street.
(Two locations: 1011 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015 / 3900 West Century Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90303)
Wirsthaus
Wirsthaus will be home to every game featuring the national teams of Germany, USA, and Mexico. They’ll also screen every World Cup game during normal business hours, plus a few select games outside of business hours.
345 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036
World Grub at Smorgasburg
Smorgasburg will convert into "The World Grub" every Sunday, beginning on June 14, to celebrate the World Cup. Every Sunday game will be screened throughout June and will include a number of activities and events, such as a mini-soccer pitch for kids to play on, and a collectible World Grub Passport for fans to collect stamps on, to win an exclusive Smorgasburg soccer jersey.
777 S. Alameda S. Los Angeles, CA 90021
Ye Olde King’s Head
One of the oldest British pubs on the west coast will host every single match. The gift shop next door will sell plenty of World Cup memorabilia to add to your collection and there will be different activations throughout the tournament.
116 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401
