Soccer fans across the world are gearing up for the 2026 World Cup, which is slated to get underway on June 11.
And it’s the same in Long Beach, where the city is preparing to host a slew of watch parties and other fan events to help residents enjoy the soccer tournament locally as part of its LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration.
The city initially announced its intentions to host multiple events throughout the World Cup, which will run through July 19, in collaboration with the LA Galaxy and the Downtown Long Beach Alliance in February, but now, additional details for what fans can expect have been released.
“When we announced the LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration earlier this year, we promised Long Beach would show up in a meaningful way — and we’re delivering on that promise,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a Thursday, Feb. 14, announcement. “Our city is ready to celebrate the world’s game in a way that is true to who we are, and we look forward to keeping this momentum going by providing even more opportunities for every resident to have a chance to be part of this once-in-a-generation moment.”
Fans watch with great intensity, the U.S. women’s soccer team World Cup semi-finals at Legends Restaurant and Sports Bar in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. The U.S. national soccer team defeated England, 2-1, and advanced to the WomenÕs World Cup final for the third consecutive time, they will play Sunday. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Kevin Guadamuz celebrates inside Legends Restaurant and Sports Bar, the U.S. women’s soccer team World Cup semi-finals, win over England in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. The U.S. national soccer team defeated England, 2-1, and advanced to the WomenÕs World Cup final for the third consecutive time, they will play Sunday. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The crowd inside Legends Restaurant and Sports Bar, erupts in celebration as the U.S. women’s soccer team scores their first goal in the World Cup semi-finals, while one England fan covers his face in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. The U.S. national soccer team defeated England, 2-1, and advanced to the WomenÕs World Cup final for the third consecutive time, they will play Sunday. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Fans watch with great intensity, the U.S. women’s soccer team World Cup semi-finals at Legends Restaurant and Sports Bar in Long Beach on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. The U.S. national soccer team defeated England, 2-1, and advanced to the WomenÕs World Cup final for the third consecutive time, they will play Sunday. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
During the World Cup group stages matches, Long Beach will host several free community events along Pine Avenue in downtown. Larger community events will also include parts of Broadway and Lincoln Park, the city said.
Those larger activations, which the city has dubbed “marquee events,” will include live match viewing parties, LA Galaxy player and alumni appearances, youth programming, fan areas, giveaways, limited-edition merch sales, and more.
Here is the schedule for those marquee events:
June 12: U.S. v. Paraguay, 5-8 p.m.
June 18: Mexico v. South Korea, 5-8 p.m.
June 19: U.S. v. Australia and Scotland v. Morocco, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
June 20: Netherlands v. Sweden and Germany v. Ivory Coast, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 25: Japan vs. Sweden or Tunisia v. Netherlands and Turkey v. U.S. or Paraguay v. Australia, 3-9 p.m.
June 26: Norway v. France or Senegal v. Iraq and Uruguay v. Spain or Cape Verde v. Saudi Arabia, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
June 27: Panama v. England or Croatia v. Ghana and Colombia v. Portugal or DR Congo v. Uzbekistan, 1-6:30 p.m.
The schedule for later stages of the tournament, from June 24 to 27, will be announced on Long Beach’s social media channels no later than June 23, the city said.
And during the World Cup knockout stage, Long Beach is also planning to host free watch parties and other soccer-related programming at local parks across the city.
All the World Cup related fanfare will culminate with a one-day open streets event — akin to the city’s Beach Streets events — in multiple neighborhoods across Long Beach on July 19, which will open up streets to pedestrians and bicyclists. Specific details for that event will also be announced in the coming weeks, the city said.
“This summer, the world’s game comes to Downtown Long Beach. I’m proud that these events are free, welcoming and built for our entire community,” First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas said. “Whether you’re a lifelong soccer fan or a young resident looking forward to learning more about this wonderful game, the LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration is designed with you in mind.”
The LA Galaxy will also host free youth soccer clinics for children ages 6 to 14 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 12 and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 19 at Lincoln Park, 101 Pacific Ave. The clinics are free, but registration is required and space is limited.
To see the full schedule of events or register for the youth clinics, go to longbeach.gov/SoccerInTheLBC.