Re “2026 World Cup: Where to find watch parties in San Diego County” (June 1): The recent overcrowding and disturbances at Belmont Park’s 2026 World Cup Fan Fest highlight the urgent need for better planning at this popular Mission Beach venue. Free events featuring all 104 matches have drawn far more fans than the space, parking and infrastructure can handle, creating safety concerns for attendees and residents alike.
To prevent future issues, participants at the Belmont Park fan fest should be strictly limited through capacity controls such as free timed tickets or reservations for high-demand games, real-time monitoring and overflow viewing areas. Additional fan fests should be established in proximity to San Diego’s key venues, but outside Mission Beach to distribute crowds and reduce local impacts. Enhanced traffic management with strong promotion of transit and rideshares, plus improved on-site security and amenities, would further support safety. Proactive steps now will protect Belmont Park as a festive highlight while preserving quality of life.
— Gary Wonacott, San Diego