LOS ANGELES STADIUMS PARTICIPATE IN FIFA WORKSHOPS IN CONTINUED BID TO HOST 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP™ MATCHES
Organizers Make Strong Case to Bring Tournament to the Los Angeles Region
LOS ANGELES (March 16, 2021)— The Rose Bowl Stadium and SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park have reengaged with FIFA and U.S. Soccer via virtual meetings aimed at discussing the viability of hosting key matches and events throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Each of the two, hour-long calls discussed the logistics of hosting the matches within each stadium site and was led by the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee, which is overseen by the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission and includes the Los Angeles Rams Foundation, Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, LAFC Sports Foundation and the LA Galaxy Foundation.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ will be played across North America, with cities in Canada, Mexico and the USA all set to host matches. Los Angeles is bidding for the opportunity to host multiple matches, a fan festival and other ancillary events. The Host Committee is expecting FIFA to finalize the 16 host cities from the proposed slate of 23 candidates by the end of 2021.
“Our Los Angeles committee has put forth two incredible stadium options for FIFA and U.S. Soccer to select from, in the Rose Bowl Stadium and SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. We are excited to showcase our state-of-the-art venues, diverse landscape and the rich cultures across our region that make it a wonderful backdrop for the world’s game,” said Kathryn Schloessman, Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission President & CEOand Managing Member, Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee.
“The Rose Bowl Stadium strives to unify people through entertainment and sports. To think we could have the honor of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ would be incredible,” said Darryl Dunn, Rose Bowl Stadium CEO/General Manager. “We are proud of our history, which includes playing host to the 1994 FIFA Men’s World Cup™ Final and the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Final, and we hope to once again welcome the world to Pasadena in 2026.”
“Stan Kroenke built SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park to host world-class events, such as the FIFA World Cup™, and we would be honored to have fans from all over the world at our facility,” said Jason Gannon, Managing Director, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. “We look forward to continuing the bid process to bring this internationally beloved event to Los Angeles.”
“Los Angeles is truly a soccer city. LAFC is proud to be a part of the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee and proud to be working with the other members of the Committee to make our collective vision - of bringing the best in the world’s game to the world’s city - a reality,” said Larry Freedman, LAFC Co-President.
“Los Angeles has a rich and storied soccer history, and we are represented by a deeply passionate and diverse community of fans. This city is a multicultural epicenter with a fervent group of supporters of teams and nations throughout the world. Los Angeles’ resources and infrastructure will set the standard for a host city and make it a perfect location for the most celebrated tournament in the world,” said Chris Klein, LA Galaxy President.
Los Angeles continues to define itself as a soccer city, building off the rich history of hosting the 1984 Olympic Soccer tournament, the 1994 FIFA World Cup™ and 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup™, which remain the largest-attended FIFA World Cup™ events in history. The city is home to three professional soccer teams: The Los Angeles Galaxy, who began play in 1996 and winner of a record five MLS Cups; The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), who began play in 2018; and, the newest member to our soccer city, Angel City FC, the National Women's Soccer League expansion team that is expected to begin play in 2022.
The Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee is thrilled to continue to engage with FIFA and U.S. Soccer in the process and eagerly anticipates site visits and the ability to share the region’s state-of-the-art venues with the selection committee.
Los Angeles has an unprecedented decade of major events coming to the region that include the 2021 MLS All-Star Game, 2022 Super Bowl LVI, 2022 MLB All-Star Game, 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, 123rd U.S. Open Championship, 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball West Region Championship and the 2028 Summer Olympic & Paralympic Games. For more information on all major events, please visit LASEC.net.
About the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee
The Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee has been established to deliver a premier 2026 FIFA World Cup™ experience and drive lasting social, cultural, and economic impact for the region. We serve as the liaison between FIFA, U.S. Soccer and Los Angeles to harness the opportunities surrounding the tournament to elevate our community. The Host Committee is led by the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) and includes the Los Angeles Rams Foundation, Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, LAFC Sports Foundation and the LA Galaxy Foundation. For more, visit LASEC.net.
