This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Navigate the World Cup
Dear visitors and locals alike —
LAist is here to make sure you take full advantage of what the region has to offer during the World Cup.
Of course, the tournament is a celebration for the most popular sport on Earth and we want you to get in on the action. But it's also a reason to eat your way through Inglewood where the matches will take place and visit the dozens of soccer watch parties across the region.
Our newsroom has put together an A-to-Z guide for you during this summer of soccer.
Arts, bathrooms, cocktails, diners, eating
A is for arts
Los Angeles is home to a number of major museums and many of them are free.
Sponsored message
Read more: There's great art in L.A. Here's the LAist guide of where to go to see it
B is for bathrooms
Our public bathrooms are tricky to find but we've got maps to help figure out where to go.
Read more: Visiting LA? Our public bathrooms are tricky to find but we’ve got maps
C is for cocktails
Take advantage of the nice, warm summer nights with a cocktail or mocktail at a rooftop bar.
Sponsored message
Read more: At LA's best rooftop bars, the drinks are as good as the views
D is for diners
Tons of glamor and glitz in L.A., but if you want your breakfast the no-frills, old-fashioned way, check out these classic diners. They are a dying breed.
Read more: SoCal loves its diners. Here are some of our favorites
E is for eating on a budget
Welcome to food paradise. L.A.’s got award-winning restaurants that can set you way back, but also places that offer tasty cheap, fast, eats.
Sponsored message
Read more: The LAist guide to eating on a budget (without sacrificing taste) in SoCal
Food halls, gay bars, hikes, Inglewood food and July in LA
F is for food halls
Grand Central Market in downtown is arguably the grandaddy of all L.A. food halls but many have sprouted across the region.
Read more: 4 food halls in Southern California serving up more than just good eats
Sponsored message
G is for gay bars
These L.A. LGBTQ+ institutions are full of history, cheap drinks, and good crowds to chat with locals and watch World Cup matches with.
Read more: Headed to LA for the World Cup? Your nearest gay bar may not be in WeHo
H is for hikes
LAist City Treks is all about exploring LA and SoCal on foot. We're venturing along the not-so-obvious trails.
Read more: Let's explore LA on foot! (And then grab a bite to eat.
I is for Inglewood food
Inglewood's food scene reflects a city where Black and Latino residents make up nearly 90% of the population. These aren't tourist traps — they're the spots locals have been eating at for years. Here's where to eat before the whistle blows.
Read more: Where to eat near SoFi Stadium during the World Cup
J is for July in LA
One thing about Los Angeles in the summer — it’s guaranteed to get hot. But don’t fret. Los Angeles has plenty to offer for visitors and locals to stay cool.
Read more: Zambonis and swanky rooftop pools: A cool list of where to beat the summer heat
Kids, live music, murals, night tours and the ocean
K is for kids
There are plenty of World Cup-related things to do with kids to help you get in on the tournament action without spending a fortune on tickets.
Read more: Take advantage of your kids’ World Cup excitement with these family-friendly LA activities
L is for live music
In Los Angeles, you don’t need to go to a big venue to catch live music. Here’s a list to get you started.
Read more: Ditch the mega concerts. Here’s where to catch live music in LA if you’re new here
M is for murals
L.A. has a lot to offer, including its vast and varied portfolio of public art. It’s even been referred to as the mural capital of the world.
Read more: Hello, LA visitors. A sea of murals awaits you, but here’s a handy must-see list
N is for nightlife
When the sun goes down it’s easy to spot the bars and clubs where the parties happen in Los Angeles. But summertime is (possibly) the best time to explore the region’s not-so-obvious nightlife offerings.
Read more: Bats, bikes and cemeteries: What LA’s nightlife looks like beyond the bars and clubs
O is for ocean
Los Angeles is known for its bustling city landscape and even the beaches, but don’t miss out on what our coast has to offer. Here are a few ways to enjoy what’s beyond the sand.
Read more: There’s more to CA’s iconic beaches. Here’s what else you can do off our coast
Parking, Queen Mary, real tickets, SoFi Stadium and transit
P is for parking
If you opt to engage in the gladiator sport that is L.A. driving — a reminder you're going to need to park that thing too. Here's a guide to help you figure it out.
Read more: Can I park here? A guide for how to park your car in Los Angeles
Q is for Queen Mary
The Queen Mary in Long Beach is many things — a popular tourist attraction, a music festival backdrop, and a source of haunted tales.
Read more: Before the Queen Mary docked in Long Beach, the legendary ocean liner ruled the Atlantic
R is for real tickets
With less than a month before the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off, soccer fans are scrambling to grab the last remaining tickets.
Read more: Don't get played by World Cup ticket scams. Here's what to look out for
S is for SoFi Stadium
T is for transit guide
LAist prepared the following guide to help folks get to and from the stadium, L.A. city watch parties and tips on using bikes and scooters to get around the region.
Read more: How to navigate to SoFi and watch parties in LA during the World Cup
Underrated, viewing parties, weird museums, LAX, your rights and pizza
U is for underrated
We put a call out to LAist staff for their underrated go-tos… and they delivered. Here’s the line up of places that are under the radar but well worth a visit.
Read more: LA’s underrated gems: where LAist staff think out-of-towners should visit
LAist's official guide to unofficial World Cup viewing parties
V is for viewing parties
From parking lots, plazas and parks to sidewalks, strip malls, and strangers’ homes, communities throughout Los Angeles will gather throughout the city to cheer on their teams.
Read more: LAist's official guide to unofficial World Cup viewing parties
W is for weird museums
Los Angeles has its share of world-class museums, from the Broad to The Getty to the Natural History Museum. But there are many more off the beaten path that are as worthy of your time.
Read more: Death, lights and rock & roll: 6 little-known museums to visit in LA
X is for LAX
Millions of people travel through LAX every year. Depending on when you fly, the experience can be a rabbit hole of stress, traffic and lost luggage. Let’s dig in.
Read more: LAX explained: your guide to navigating the West Coast’s most infuriating airport
Y is for your rights
The World Cup launches in Los Angeles during tumultuous times. This all means there could be protests at the stadium or various fan events. Here's how to navigate what you can and can't do during the tournament.
Read more: Can FIFA ban political speech and water bottles? Here’s what we know
Z is for za
Los Angeles is in the midst of a pizza renaissance. Pizzaiolos across the city are slicing up unique takes on pies that pull from multiple influences — local, global, and everything in between, just like Los Angeles itself.
Read more: Yes, LA pizza is very much a thing. And the rest of the world is about to find out
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
