World Cup fever officially takes over Los Angeles.
From Koreatown to Lynwood, L.A. soccer fans are chanting, dancing and watching the world’s biggest tournament together.
FIFA fever is kicking all over L.A. as the 2026 World Cup finally arrives across North America, bringing community watch parties, street festivals and a wave of national pride into neighborhoods throughout Southern California.
Fans packed Liberty Park in Koreatown to cheer on South Korea, while another crowd filled Plaza México in Lynwood for Mexico’s opening match against South Africa.
The celebrations spread from giant outdoor screens and live performances to Union Station, where Metro ambassadors began directing visitors toward the buses, trains and shuttles serving World Cup matches and watch parties.
Apparently, the entire city has been placed into group-stage play.
Explore official Los Angeles fan zones and gear up to support Mexico, South Korea or whichever team has taken over your living room.
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Koreatown turns Liberty Park red.
South Korean pride was on full display as a giant Koreatown watch party took over Liberty Park along Wilshire Boulevard.
The free street festival opened hours before kickoff with Korean cuisine, local vendors and live performances as supporters gathered in their red shirts for South Korea’s match against the Czech Republic.
One attendee told KTLA that the celebration had become a full family affair, especially for residents with longtime connections to the neighborhood.
Another organizer explained that soccer remains Korea’s number-one sport and that the Los Angeles Korean community always comes together for major international matches.
The crowd gathered around a giant LED screen facing Wilshire Boulevard, surrounded by flags, performances and enough red shirts to make the entire park look match-ready.
Everyone also appeared to have the same favorite player, with Son Heung-min remaining the name supporters expected to carry the team through another World Cup run.
Watch Koreatown cheer on South Korea.
KTLA visits Liberty Park as Korean food, live performances, red shirts and a giant outdoor screen transform Wilshire Boulevard into a World Cup celebration.
Team Mexico fills Plaza México in Lynwood.
A few miles south, Plaza México became its own sea of green as fans gathered for the tournament’s opening match.
KTLA’s Hailey Winslow joined the crowd as supporters waved flags, sang into the television microphone and delivered messages of unity and positivity while Mexico faced South Africa in Mexico City.
For local fans, the opening game was about more than one score. The gathering brought families and generations together to celebrate Mexico hosting the World Cup for a historic third time.
The live broadcast quickly became part match report and part neighborhood party as supporters reacted to every attack, near miss and goal.
Green shirts, waving flags and spontaneous microphone takeovers. Team Mexico understood opening-day television.
Watch Southern California celebrate Team Mexico.
Fans at Plaza México in Lynwood react live as Mexico launches its World Cup campaign against South Africa in Mexico City.
Team Mexico supporters bring the party to Lynwood.
Plaza México fills with flags, families and opening-match energy as Southern California supporters gather to cheer on the tournament co-hosts.
Metro prepares to move the World Cup crowds.
With tens of thousands of people expected at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, transportation officials are making one message especially clear: leave the car at home when possible.
The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is adding routes and dates to bring visitors from San Diego, Orange County and Ventura County into Union Station on match days.
Once fans arrive, Metro ambassadors will direct them toward buses and shuttles serving Los Angeles Stadium and watch parties across the city.
Metro is preparing a fleet of approximately 300 World Cup buses operating from transit hubs throughout Southern California.
Union Station is also offering special-edition World Cup TAP cards that can be loaded for travel across Metro’s bus and rail system.
The game-day shuttles will pick up passengers outside Union Station and at other designated transit locations before carrying them directly toward the stadium.
Caltrans is also warning drivers to expect heavy traffic around major match days and encouraging visitors to use public transportation whenever possible.
Because nobody needs their World Cup memory to begin with three hours of traffic and a parking receipt that requires financing.
Watch how to reach the World Cup without driving.
NBC Los Angeles maps out the Pacific Surfliner, Union Station, commemorative TAP cards and Metro shuttle service heading toward Los Angeles Stadium.
Los Angeles gets ready to move the World Cup crowds.
Union Station, Metro ambassadors, commemorative TAP cards and direct stadium buses prepare to move supporters across Southern California.
The Coliseum becomes one giant World Cup living room.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is also becoming a major gathering place with the launch of its FIFA Fan Festival.
The four-day event combines giant match screens with music, live performers, cultural exhibits, interactive activations and food inspired by countries competing throughout the tournament.
Organizers described the experience as an enormous viewing party built for both international visitors and Angelenos who want to take part without holding a match ticket.
Six screens keep the matches visible throughout the grounds, while food and entertainment fill the breaks between games.
The opening menu draws inspiration from global street food, including South African dishes such as a Gatsby sandwich loaded with fries, steak and peri-peri sauce, along with bunny chow served inside a bread bowl.
Organizers say the goal is for visitors to arrive ready to explore, try food from different countries and leave with a full belly.
General admission begins at $10 for adults, while children under 12 can attend free with the appropriate reserved ticket.
Tour the FIFA Fan Festival at the L.A. Coliseum.
Giant match screens, live music, interactive fan zones and global street food fill the historic Coliseum as Los Angeles welcomes World Cup supporters.
Food, music and football fill the L.A. Coliseum.
The historic stadium prepares to welcome thousands of supporters with global street food, live entertainment and multiple screens showing the tournament action.
Koreatown is red, Lynwood is green, the buses are rolling and the Coliseum has six giant screens. Los Angeles has officially entered its World Cup summer.
Sources: KTLA’s Koreatown watch-party report provided the Liberty Park celebration and supporter reactions; KTLA’s Team Mexico report provided the Plaza México coverage; NBC Los Angeles provided the transportation report; and the L.A. Coliseum Fan Festival report provided the food, entertainment and event details.
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