Long Beach will partner with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Metro and the Downtown Long Beach Alliance to host multiple fan experiences and more to celebrate the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The city announced the new partnership on Friday, Feb. 13, with various events planned to take place throughout the entire tournament, from the first group stage matches starting on June 11 all the way through the World Cup final on July 19.
“From major Downtown programming to youth soccer clinics and park activations across our neighborhoods, we’re bringing the global game to the coast in a way that uplifts local businesses, celebrates our diversity and creates shared moments for families and fans alike,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in the announcement. “This summer, the excitement of this global moment will be felt in every neighborhood and shared by every resident, and Long Beach welcomes the world to celebrate with us.”
Claudia Velasquez, 27, from Long Beach was cheering on Team U.S.A with a group of friends at Legends Sports Bar in Long Beach on Friday morning, Nov. 25, for the U.S. vs England 2022 World Cup game. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The American Outlaws fan group, hosted a World Cup watch party during the USMT’s opening match against Wales at Legends Sports Bar in Long Beach on Monday, November 21, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The American Outlaws fan group, hosted a World Cup watch party during the USMT’s opening match against Wales at Legends Sports Bar in Long Beach on Monday, November 21, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Candace Mowery and Amy Rogozinski celebrate inside Legends Restaurant and Sports Bar, as the U.S. women’s soccer team scores their first goal in the World Cup semi-finals, in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. The U.S. national soccer team defeated England, 2-1, and advanced to the Women’s World Cup final for the third consecutive time, they will play Sunday. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The American Outlaws fan group, hosted a World Cup watch party during the USMT’s opening match against Wales at Legends Sports Bar in Long Beach on Monday, November 21, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Claudia Velasquez, 27, from Long Beach was cheering on Team U.S.A with a group of friends at Legends Sports Bar in Long Beach on Friday morning, Nov. 25, for the U.S. vs England 2022 World Cup game. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Dubbed the LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration, the event series will include Galaxy player and alumni appearances, family-friendly fan areas, youth programming, giveaways, and more.
Other cities in the region are also planning to host similar LA Galaxy soccer celebrations coinciding with the World Cup, including Hermosa Beach.
Long Beach’s celebration, meanwhile, will also include big-screen live viewing parties, though more details on those events will be released in the coming weeks.
“This summer, Southern California will feel like the center of the soccer universe, and we want fans to have a home for every moment,” said Tom Braun, the Galaxy’s president and COO. “In Long Beach, we’re bringing the excitement of the group stages to the heart of downtown, creating inclusive, high‑energy environments where families, supporters and casual fans can come together and experience the drama of world football.”
After the group stage, Long Beach will take the excitement across the city with various other World Cup-related fan experiences. Specific locations, dates and times for those will be announced in the coming days, the city said.
The city will also host a one-day open streets event — akin to the city’s Beach Streets events — in multiple neighborhoods, which will open up streets to pedestrians and bicyclists. Specific details for that event will also be announced in the coming weeks.
“With these events and experiences, the city is embracing the opportunity to contribute to the regional energy surrounding the tournament through a community-focused approach to tournament programming,” the announcement said. “This approach will bring the excitement of the global game to communities across Long Beach while providing the flexibility to partner with local organizations to incorporate youth sports programming, interactive activities, local businesses and cultural celebrations that reflect Long Beach’s diversity and love of sports.”
The city has also created a website to help soccer fans stay updated about all the World Cup happenings in Long Beach, which is online at longbeach.gov/SoccerInTheLBC.