World Cup 2026 LA: The Ultimate Fan Guide to SoFi Stadium Transit & Where to Stay
The World Cup is coming to Los Angeles! SoFi Stadium, which during the tournament is referred to as Los Angeles Stadium, is home to 8 matches including the USMNT opener on June 12th. The stadium is located in Inglewood, and there is one thing you need to know: Do not try to drive to the stadium. With parking prices soaring and traffic expected to be at an all-time high, the "City of Angels" has launched a massive transit network to get fans to the pitch. Here is everything you need to know to survive Match Day in LA.
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Forget the $300 parking passes at the stadium. Metro has launched World Cup Enhanced Service Shuttles from 10 strategic hubs (they might add more: check here for updates) across LA county. For just $1.75 each way, these direct shuttles bring you straight to the stadium gates and back. Service starts 4 hours before kickoff and runs until 90 minutes after the final whistle.
The 10 Shuttle Hubs:
Union Station (Downtown LA)
LAX/Metro Transit Center (Near the Airport)
El Camino College (Torrance)
Downtown Santa Monica (recently added)
Downtown Long Beach
North Hollywood Station
Harbor Gateway Transit Center (Gardena)
Hawthorne/Lennox Station
Crenshaw Station
Pierce College Station (Woodland Hills)
Some of these hubs offer parking for a fee. I recommend walking, taking public transportation, or calling a rideshare, but if you want to reserve a parking spot, check out the Metro World Cup Site - click on the match you are in town for, and then you can reserve parking at some of these hubs.
In general, I recommend checking the Metro World Cup Site regularly for the latest updates as they have been adding more hubs.
You can download the TAP App - it’s the most reliable way to handle fares for all Metro buses, trains, and the World Cup Enhanced Service Shuttles.
However, Metro is officially launching contactless payments this spring! That means you’ll soon be able to just tap your Visa, Mastercard, or Apple Pay at the turnstile or on the bus. Since it’s just rolling out now in spring, make sure to follow @metrolosangeles on Instagram for the 'all-clear' that it's live before you head out.
Once you arrive at the stadium, security will be strict.
The Clear Bag Policy: Your bag must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC. It cannot be larger than 12” x 6” x 12”. That means no tinted bags, no holograms, and no patterns. If it's not clear, it’s not going in.
100% Cashless: Everything at the stadium - from tacos to jerseys - is credit, debit, or mobile pay only.
The Digital Ticket: Screenshots will not work. You must have your ticket loaded in the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 App. Make sure your phone is at 100% charge.
For a detailed overview of the stadium policies and to check for updates click here.
Choosing the right basecamp is all about which vibe you’re looking for and how much you are willing to spend. I recommend planning to stay near one of the Metro Stadium Shuttle Hubs. That will make it easy for you to get to the stadium and back.
You can check Online Travel Agencies such as Expedia to check rates for hotels in these neighborhoods.
I picked a few hotels in different neighborhoods based on location, reviews, and rates on match days. Keep in mind, rates will fluctuate and hotels might sell out. I’m listing these hotels just for some guidance, but there are many more to choose from.
The stadium is actually located very close to LAX Airport. So if you are here purely for a game, a good option is to stay in the airport area. You’re minutes from the stadium, but keep in mind, this area will likely be most crowded with very high hotel rates on match days.
Closest Shuttle Hubs:
LAX/Metro Transit Center, 9225 Aviation Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90045 | No on-site parking available.
Hawthorne/Lennox Station, 11191 Larch Ave, Lennox, CA 90304 | Reserved parking
Some Hotel Options for the LAX Area:
See below mentioned hotel options in my Expedia Travel Shop.
Budget:
Seahorse Inn Manhattan Beach - LAX. 2-star motel style inn located along Sepulveda Blvd. It’s about a 25 minute walk to the beach.
Hi View Inn & Suites. 2.5-star motel style inn located along Sepulveda Blvd. It’s about a 25 minute walk to the beach.
Mid-Tier:
Holiday Inn LAX. 3-star IHG property located in Westchester on Century Blvd. right next to LAX Airport. Free airport shuttle provided.
Aloft El Segundo - LAX. 3-star Marriott property located just south of LAX Airport in El Segundo. Free airport shuttle provided.
SpringHill Suites LAX & TownePlace Suites LAX. Both hotels are 3-star Marriott properties and located next to each other in Manhattan Beach. Breakfast is included at both.
Upscale:
Sonesta LAX. 4-star hotel located in Westchester on Century Blvd. right next to LAX Airport. Free airport shuttle provided.
Hilton LAX. 4-star hotel located in Westchester on Century Blvd. right next to LAX Airport. Free airport shuttle provided.
LAX Marriott. 4-star hotel located in Westchester on Century Blvd. right next to LAX Airport. Free airport shuttle provided.
If you want the quintessential Southern California experience, look no further than the coast. I’ve grouped Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Marina Del Rey together because they offer that perfect blend of salt air, world-class dining, and a front-row seat to World Cup festivities.
There are reports that Santa Monica will transform its iconic Pier into the 'Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club' for the tournament, and Venice Beach has been officially confirmed as a FIFA Fan Zone for July 11th. Details on these events are still rolling out and things can change. You can check these links for the latest official updates:
While this area is about 10 to 12 miles from the stadium, it’s arguably the most vibrant place to be between match days. You get the Pacific Ocean as your backyard, but you aren’t sacrificing logistics; with the Metro E Line running through Santa Monica as well as the Big Blue Bus connecting these neighborhoods with LAX Airport, you can still get to the pitch and airport without needing a car.
Closest Shuttle Hubs:
Downtown Santa Monica, 1234 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 | City parking
LAX/Metro Transit Center, 9225 Aviation Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90045 | No on-site parking available.
Some Hotel Options for the Beaches Area:
See below mentioned hotel options in my Expedia Travel Shop.
Budget:
Rest Haven Motel. 2-star motel style inn located in Santa Monica. It’s about a 20 minute walk to the beach.
Lincoln Inn Venice. 2-star motel style inn located along Lincoln Blvd. It’s about a 30 minute walk to the beach.
Encore Motel MdR. 2.5-star motel style inn located along Washington Blvd. It’s about a 35 minute walk to the beach.
Jolly Roger Hotel MdR. 2.5-star hotel located along Washington Blvd. It’s about a 25 minute walk to the beach.
Mid-Tier:
Hotel Carmel. 3-star hotel located in Santa Monica. It’s about a 5 minute walk to the beach.
Venice on the Beach Hotel. 3.5-star beachfront hotel located in Venice Beach.
Residence Inn MdR. 3-star Marriott property located on the marina in Marina del Rey. It’s a short walk to the beach and breakfast is included.
Upscale:
Hilton Santa Monica. 4-star hotel located on 4th Street in Santa Monica. It’s about a 10 minute walk to the beach.
The Pierside Santa Monica. 4-star hotel located steps from the Santa Monica Pier and beach. Free e-bikes available for guests.
The Eden. 4-star hotel located steps from the beach and about a 10 minute walk from the Pier in Santa Monica.
If you want to be in the center of the action, look no further than Downtown LA. Not only is it the city’s transit hub, but it’s also the gateway to the Official FIFA Fan Festival at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
From June 11th to the 15th, the Coliseum - which is just a short Metro ride from Downtown - will transform into a massive party with giant screens, live music, and food from all over the world.
Downtown is home to several ethnic neighborhoods such as Little Tokyo and then there’s also L.A. Live with the crypto.com arena, and one of the most impressive skyscrapers housing the J.W. Marriott & Ritz Carlton, as well as several entertainment and food options.
The beauty of staying here is Union Station. It’s the hub for the FlyAway bus from the airport and for many Metro lines in the city.
Closest Shuttle Hub: Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Regular Transit Parking, Event Rates Will Apply
Some Hotel Options for Downtown LA:
See below mentioned hotel options in my Expedia Travel Shop.
Budget:
Kawada Hotel. 3-star hotel located near the iconic food hall Grand Central Market and about a 20 minute walk to Union Station.
Metro Plaza. 2.5-star hotel located between El Pueblo/Olvera Street and Chinatown. It’s only about a 5 minute walk to Union Station.
Mid-Tier:
The O Hotel. 3.5-star Wyndham property located just steps from L.A. Live and about a 15 minute Metro ride from Union Station. Continental Breakfast included in the room rate.
DoubleTree LA Downtown. 4-star Hilton property located in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Downtown LA and about a 15 minute walk from Union Station.
Aiden Gragon Gate Inn. 3-star hotel located in the Chinatown neighborhood of Downtown LA and about a 15 minute walk from Union Station.
Upscale:
The Biltmore. Historic 4-star hotel located about a 35 minute walk from Union Station or a 15 minute Metro ride and a 20 minute walk from L.A. Live.
Hotel Per La. 4-star Marriott property with a rooftop pool located about a 35 minute walk to Union Station and 20 minutes from L.A. Live.
Westin Bonaventure. 4-star Marriott property with a rotating lounge for stunning views located about a 35 minute walk to Union Station and 20 minutes from L.A. Live.
If you want to spend time at Universal Studios and enjoy nightlife at the bars on the Sunset Strip, then Hollywood is your spot. While it's a bit further from the stadium, it’s surprisingly well-connected for the World Cup.
The big 'pro tip'? North Hollywood! Metro confirmed that the North Hollywood Station will be a hub for the World Cup Enhanced Service. If you stay in the 'NoHo Arts District,' you can skip the city traffic entirely.
Closest Shuttle Hub: North Hollywood Station, 5350 N Lankershim Bl, North Hollywood, CA 91601 | Reserved Parking or Regular Transit Parking
Some Hotel Options for Hollywood:
See below mentioned hotel options in my Expedia Travel Shop.
Budget:
LYFE INN & SUITES North Hollywood. 2-star boutique hotel located near the NoHo Arts District and about a 20 minute walk from the North Hollywood Metro Station.
Hollywood Celebrity Hotel. 2-star hotel located behind the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars are held and steps from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Hotel Rudra. 2-star hotel located steps from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Dolby Theatre.
Mid-Tier:
Lexen Hotel North Hollywood. 3.5-star hotel located steps from the NoHo Arts District and about a 10 minute walk from the North Hollywood Metro Station.
Upscale:
The Hollywood Roosevelt. Historic 4-star hotel located along the Hollywood Walk of Fame across from TLC Chinese Theatre. Many celebrities have stayed here.
Hotel Ziggy. 4-star boutique hotel with a music theme and regular live shows. It’s located on the iconic Sunset Strip in West Hollywood.
If you want to escape the 'big city' feel of Downtown LA but still want incredible transit, you have to look at Long Beach. It’s often overlooked by tourists, but it is a great destination in its own right - and it’s an excellent spot for the World Cup.
Long Beach is an official World Cup Enhanced Service hub, and you have the Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and miles of walkable waterfront. It’s the perfect place to relax between match days.
Closest Shuttle Hub: Downtown Long Beach, 300 E 1st St, Long Beach, CA 90802 | Parking options TBD
Some Hotel Options for Long Beach:
See below mentioned hotel options in my Expedia Travel Shop.
Budget:
Hotel Metropolitan. 2-star hotel located just a few blocks east of Downtown Long Beach.
Hotel Royal. 2.5-star hotel located just a few blocks east of Downtown Long Beach near the Hotel Metropolitan.
Mid-Tier:
Lumea by the Sea. 3-star hotel located just a few blocks east of Downtown Long Beach and a short walk to Alamitos Beach.
The Queen Mary. 3-star unique hotel on the iconic Queen Mary ship. Located across the bay from Downtown. It’s about a 45 minute walk or 25 minute bus ride to Downtown Long Beach.
Upscale:
Hyatt Regency Long Beach. 4-star waterfront hotel with harbor views located near Shoreline Village with its shops and restaurants.
Marriott Long Beach Downtown. 4-star hotel with a rooftop terrace for great views. The hotel is centrally located in Downtown Long Beach.
Fairmont Breakers Long Beach. 5-star hotel with a third-floor terrace pool and a Sky Room offering sunset panoramas. The hotel is centrally located in Downtown Long Beach near the Marriott.
Don't let logistics ruin your LA World Cup Experience. I’ve put the Shuttle Map, Stadium Policies, Neighborhood Hotel Picks, and LAX Airport Arrival Logistics info into a Free LA World Cup 2026 Logistics Guide that you can keep on your phone for easy reference.
Make your FIFA World Cup 2026 trip legendary with the ultimate Los Angeles logistics guide. Featuring the 9 official stadium shuttle hubs, "Match Day" transit hacks for Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), and the best neighborhoods to stay in. Don’t get stuck in traffic - get to the pitch on time!
👉 Check out my SHOP for additional guides such as a Downtown LA Walking Tour.
If you use code WORLDCUP at check-out, you can get all Walking Tour Guides for only $3.99 (code expires on July 20, 2026 at 11:59pm)
Happy travels, and enjoy your World Cup Trip to Los Angeles!
— Chris at Trip Tips with Chris