SoFi Stadium: Your World Cup 2026 Guide to the Los Angeles Venue
SoFi Stadium is the Los Angeles-area home of the 2026 World Cup, located in Inglewood, California. Famous for its high-tech feel and giant canopy, it will host several matches at this tournament and is one of the most anticipated venues on the West Coast. This guide covers its background, its World Cup role and what to know on matchday.
Stadium Basics
SoFi Stadium opened in September 2020 in Inglewood, part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. It is the shared home of NFL teams the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers. Built at a cost of roughly 5.5 billion dollars, it was the most expensive stadium in the world at the time of completion. Its seated capacity for football matches is around 70,000, with the ability to expand for other configurations, placing it among the largest venues in North America.
Signature Design: Canopy and Infinity Screen
SoFi’s most recognisable feature is the translucent ETFE canopy that covers the seating bowl, a fixed roof with open sides that shelters fans while keeping an open-air feel. Suspended above the field is the dual-sided Infinity Screen, a centrepiece of the matchday experience that gives clear replays and data from almost every seat. This blend of top-tier hardware and open space makes it a model for the new generation of multi-purpose stadiums.
World Cup 2026: The Los Angeles Stage
As the Los Angeles venue for the 2026 World Cup, SoFi Stadium will host multiple fixtures across the group stage and knockout rounds, including a high-profile quarter-final. Under FIFA’s neutral naming rules for the tournament, the venue appears as “Los Angeles Stadium” during the World Cup. To meet FIFA’s natural-grass requirement, a temporary natural pitch is installed for the event.
Two Names and a Track Record
Fans will see the venue under different names: the commercial name “SoFi Stadium” in everyday use, and the neutral “Los Angeles Stadium” used by FIFA during the World Cup. Both refer to the same arena. Since opening, SoFi has hosted a long list of major sport and entertainment events, giving it the operational experience to stage a world-class tournament.
Matchday Tips
Matchdays in Los Angeles draw dense crowds, so plan your transport and arrival early, leave plenty of time for security and entry, and map your route home in advance. Southern California summers can be hot during the day, so stay hydrated and protect against the sun in open areas. With the tournament spread across three countries and several time zones, planning your viewing schedule helps you catch the key fixtures.
FAQ
Q: Where are the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 matches played?
A: At SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, called “Los Angeles Stadium” during the World Cup.
Q: What is SoFi Stadium’s capacity?
A: Around 70,000 seats for World Cup matches.
Q: Why does the stadium have different names?
A: SoFi is the commercial name, while FIFA uses the neutral “Los Angeles Stadium” during the World Cup.
Read more in our World Cup section, or see the full fixtures and results page.
