Downtown Long Beach was more lively than usual on Sunday, July 19, as hundreds of people took converged for the city’s annual open-streets event, which featured the longest route to date — and watch parties for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Hosted by Long Beach and presented by Los Angeles County Metro, the annual Beach Streets event closes roadways to cars, transforming them into safe, open areas for people to bike, walk and explore the city’s neighborhoods — helping people embrace an active commuting lifestyle.
Young fans play in the Kids Zone at Bixby Park in Long Beach as part of Beach Streets on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Broadway is closed to vehicles for Beach Streets on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Broadway is closed to vehicles for Beach Streets on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A young fan shows his support for Spain during a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Bixby Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and his family help kick off Beach Streets prior to a FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Bixby Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Broadway is closed to vehicles for Beach Streets on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Broadway is among the city streets closed to vehicles for Beach Streets on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Broadway is closed to vehicles for Beach Streets on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans fill Bixby Park in Long Beach for a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Spain supporters react during a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Bixby Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Broadway is closed to vehicles for Beach Streets on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
City officials greet the large crowd at a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Bixby Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A Spain fan tries to keep cool as he watches the FIFA World Cup final during a watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Bixby Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans fill Bixby Park in Long Beach for a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans fill Bixby Park in Long Beach for a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans fill Bixby Park in Long Beach for a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans fill Bixby Park in Long Beach for a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans fill Bixby Park in Long Beach for a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
An Argentina fan waves her team’s flag during a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Bixby Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans fill Bixby Park in Long Beach for a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A young fan shows his support for Spain during a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Bixby Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Soccer fans fill Bixby Park in Long Beach for a Beach Streets FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Young fans play in the Kids Zone at Bixby Park in Long Beach as part of Beach Streets on Sunday, July 19, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
This year’s route went through different downtown areas and neighborhoods. People biked, walked and skated along Pine Avenue from First to Ninth streets, Broadway from Pine to Redondo avenues, Cherry Avenue from Broadway to Fourth Street, and Fourth Street from Cherry to Junipero avenues.
At Bixby Park, hundreds of residents gathered to watch the final game of the World Cup, concluding the soccer craze that took over the city — and the nation — this summer.
The route also featured entertainment hubs with live music and performances, food trucks, a free bike valet and a kid zone, with local businesses and community groups also participating.