Another way to experience the World Cup is by discovering exhibits that reflect sports history and L.A.’s innovative art scene.
The new David Geffen Galleries at LACMA sparked a new and vibrant conversation about art in Los Angeles and it feels good to be here for it. 2026 feels like the year of the new museum in L.A., with the LACMA addition plus Refik Anadol’s Dataland opening this summer, and the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art heading our way in the fall. But art goes well beyond the walls of any museum. L.A. has a wide range of styles and inspirations on the streets, in galleries, and of course in museums, too, to get you in the mood for the World Cup (it is the beautiful game, after all) and encounter artists from many of the countries coming here to play.
Put on your headphones, crank up Soundtrips from Metro Art x KCRW, and head out to any one of these artsy destinations to get you in the mood.
Art on the Metro
For an in-person introduction to the fútbol craze taking over L.A., head to Los Angeles Union Station to check out Play! on view at the Metro Art Passageway Gallery, a new exhibition featuring artworks by Pelle Cass celebrates soccer, sport and play. Thirty-six images accumulate hours of activity into densely layered timelapses, capturing impressions created by athletes and objects in motion. The resulting stills present a record of activity where play prevails over competition. The art deco station is itself a destination for architecture lovers, and it’s the major hub for getting around L.A. on public transit; you can take six Metrolink commuter lines, Metro Rail subway/light rail (A, B, D Lines), and Amtrak from there.
Mark Dean Veca’s Miracle of La Brea at the newly opened Wilshire/La Brea Station on the D Line traces the layered history of the Miracle Mile from bubbling tar to the 19th century barley fields. Spot the bowling pin, a reminder of the Wilshire La Brea Recreation Center Bowling Alley that was popular in the 1930s and ‘40s, and the baseball bat — referencing The Hollywood Stars, a minor-league baseball team owned by Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck and Bing Crosby, who played at Gilmore Field, which once existed near the Original Farmers Market.
L.A. Union Station
800 N. Alameda St.
Downtown L.A.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Wilshire/La Brea Station
5300 Wilshire Blvd.
Miracle Mile
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Soccer at LACMA
At LACMA — now newly accessible via Metro at the D Line station at Wilshire and Fairfax — “Fútbol is Life: Animated Sportraits by Lyndon J. Barrois, Sr.,” is on through July 12. The charming, quirky exhibit features miniature sculptures made from chewing gum wrappers that are set up in photo vignettes and stop-motion animations that portray key moments in women’s and men’s soccer history. The small but mighty figurines are the perfect way to get into the cross-cultural spirit offered by the sport and the new D Line takes you right there to Wilshire and Fairfax.
The Geffen Galleries that span across Wilshire Boulevard also just opened at LACMA this spring, so it’s the perfect time to take in the newest art space in the city.
Through July 12
“Futbol is Life: Animated Sportraits by Lyndon J. Barrois, Sr.”
LACMA/Resnick Pavillion
Miracle Mile
Closest Metro: D Line: Wilshire/Fairfax Station
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Soccer-themed Murals
Don’t forget to look at all the art around you — for free — right here on the walls of L.A. Going up in June is a huge mural by artist Dave Young Kim of LAFC star and South Korean phenom (and former Tottenham Hotspurs player) Son Heung-min in Koreatown. To get there, take Metro to the B Line’s Wilshire/Vermont station.
Muralist Michelle Guerrero, who goes by Mr. B. Baby in her murals, has full walls of work that can be seen all over town celebrating her Latin heritage, which includes a deep love for soccer. Her main character, the pinata-inspired Chocho, is often seen playing guitar, hanging out with native lizards, eating papaya and more. Mr. B. Baby recently teamed up with Angel City FC for a new soccer mural on the wall of the Niky’s Sports location in Pasadena; take the Metro A Line to Allen Station.
Son Heung-min mural
The LINE Hotel
3515 Wilshire Blvd.
Koreatown Closest Metro: B Line: Wilshire/Vermont Station
PLAN YOUR TRIP
PEOPLE PORTRAITS: In CREATIVITY; PERFORMING; SPORTS and FASHION by Faith Ringgold
Civic Center/Grand Park Station
101 S. Hill St.
Downtown L.A.
Closest Metro: B Line: Civic Center/Grand Park Station
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Mr. B. Baby: Angel City FC mural
Niky’s Sports
1726 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena
Closest Metro: A Line: Allen Station
PLAN YOUR TRIP
A chance to try your skills
Head to the California Science Center near the Expo Park/USC station for “Game On! Science, Sports & Play.” A team of athletes worked with the museum to put together an interactive exhibit for all ages, where you can test your swing against a 60 mph pitch, get ready for your own backyard World Cup with a hi-tech kicking drill, and learn the latest optimized health and nutrition info for athletes and weekend warriors alike. To get there, practice your drills along the Expo Line to the Expo Park/USC Station.
Through 2028
“Game On! Science, Sports & Play”
California Science Center
700 Exposition Park Dr.
Expo Park
Closest Metro: Expo Line: Expo Park/USC Station
PLAN YOUR TRIP
L.A. through art and history
Explore art that speaks to L.A.’s heritage as a world stage for art as well as sports ahead of the World Cup. The Arts District has dozens of galleries that feature internationally renowned artists. The Hauser & Wirth space is a huge former flour factory that is showing a selection of pieces from Eileen Harris Norton’s private collection of prominent contemporary American women artists and artists of color (many with L.A. roots) through Aug 16. The exhibit has perspectives as wide as the World Cup itself, including work from Betye Saar to Kerry James Marshall to Glenn Ligon to Patrick Martinez. Lucky for us, both the Metro A and E lines drop you right in the middle of the Arts District action.
For first-time visitors coming for the World Cup games or even locals who want a better sense of L.A.’s unique geography and history through art as they explore the city, the Huntington Library is a perfect addition. The Huntington’s Mapel Orientation Gallery gives a comprehensive look at Henry Huntington’s urban design for the city and there’s even a replica Red Car — the original streetcars that took people around L.A. in the days before Metro. These days, you have to take the bus — Line 10 will get you there.
Another must-see for a sense of L.A. as it was is the L.A Central Library, which celebrates 100 years this year. A number of exhibits are dedicated to the anniversary, including a time capsule from 1925 that was recently opened and is on view in the third floor Atrium of the Bradley Wing, and the original plans for the library’s unique building that once included cascading escalators. The library is close to one of Metro’s major downtown hubs; the 7th St/Metro Center station is on the A, B, D, E lines and Pershing Square is also close by on the B and D lines.
Hauser & Wirth
901-909 E. 3rd St.
Arts District
Closest Metro: A or Expo Lines: Little Tokyo/Arts District Station
PLAN YOUR TRIP
The Huntington
1151 Oxford Rd.
San Marino
Closest Metro: Metro Bus Line 10
PLAN YOUR TRIP
L.A. Central Library
630 W. 5th St.
Downtown L.A.
Closest Metro: Pershing Square Station or 7th St/Metro Center Station
PLAN YOUR TRIP