Base Yourself Beachside in Santa Monica for FIFA World Cup 2026™

Santa Monica welcomes you — the perfect beachside headquarters for your FIFA World Cup 2026™ experience. With the world’s biggest soccer celebrations just steps from your oceanfront getaway, you can have sun, surf and match-day magic all in one place. Fresh ocean air and cool breezes invite soccer fans and athletes to work up a sweat at The Original Muscle Beach or cycle the Marvin Braude Bike Path. You can practice mindfulness with yoga on the sparkling sands or even take up a casual game of beach volleyball. In fact, Santa Monica is the birthplace of the modern beach volleyball game! Stay where laid-back California meets global sports fever and enjoy easy access to every Los Angeles match at SoFi Stadium.

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LA Match Dates & Moments You Can’t Miss

Group Stage at SoFi Stadium:

Friday, June 12, 2026 — USA vs Paraguay (Group D)
Monday, June 15, 2026 — Iran vs New Zealand (Group G)
Thursday, June 18, 2026 — Switzerland vs UEFA Playoff A Winner (Group B)
Sunday, June 21, 2026 — Belgium vs Iran (Group G)
Thursday, June 25, 2026 — USA vs UEFA Playoff C Winner (Group D)

Knockout Stage:

Sunday, June 28, 2026 — Round of 32 fixture
Thursday, July 2, 2026 — Round of 32 fixture
Friday, July 10, 2026 — Quarterfinal match

Download the full match schedule hier.

MATCHES IN NEARBY CITIES

Located just 8 miles south of LAX, the destination offers 40 hotel properties available to book for layovers or for extending a visit along the West Coast as additional soccer matches are played in Vancouver, San Francisco and Seattle.

San Francisco Bay Area, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium

Saturday, June 13, 2026 – Qatar vs Switzerland (Group B)
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 – Austria vs Jordan (Group J)
Friday, June 19, 2026 – European Play-off C vs Paraguay
Monday, June 22, 2026 – Jordan vs Algeria (Group J)
Thursday, June 25, 2026 – Paraguay vs Australia (Group D)
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 – Round of 32

Seattle, Seattle Stadium

Saturday, June 15, 2026 – Belgium vs Egypt (Group G)
Friday, June 19, 2026 – USA vs Australia (Group D)
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 – European Play-Off A vs Qatar (Group B)
Friday, June 26, 2026 – Egypt vs Iran (Group G)
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 – Round of 32
Monday, July 6, 2026 – Round of 16

Vancouver, BC Place Vancouver

Saturday, June 13, 2026 - Australia vs Kosovo/Romania/Slovakia/Türkiye (Group D)
Thursday, June 18, 2026 – Canada vs Qatar (Group B)
Sunday, June 21, 2026 – New Zealand vs Egypt (Group G)
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 – Switzerland vs Canada (Group B)
Friday, June 26, 2026 – New Zealand vs Belgium (Group G)
Thursday, July 2, 2026 – Round of 32
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 – Round of 16

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MATCHES LIVE FROM SANTA MONICA

Santa Monica provides easy access to every thrilling moment. Whether you’re cheering on your team in the group stage or celebrating into the knockout rounds, base yourself beachside for all the action.

No match tickets? No problem. There are plenty of ways to view the games in Santa Monica, including watch parties, at restaurants and bars and more. Check out these viewing events by the sea:

More viewing events coming soon!

STAY WHERE ENERGY MEETS THE OCEAN

Why just attend the World Cup when you can make it part of an unforgettable California escape? Santa Monica’s luxury beachfront hotels, chic boutique stays und Meerblick put you in the heart of rest and recreation between match days. Not to mention, a number of hotel properties serve delicious, fresh foods at their acclaimed on-site restaurants when you need a boost.

Wake up to breathtaking Pacific views, stroll the iconic Santa Monica Pier and unwind with fresh seafood and craft cocktails after exhilarating World Cup action.

Book your Santa Monica stay today.

Celebrate 100 Years of Route 66

The legendary Route 66 enters its Centennial Celebration in 2026, coinciding with the exciting arrival of World Cup matches in the region. Beginning in Chicago and stretching to the western terminus in Santa Monica, the Mother Road ends at the intersection of Lincoln and Olympic Boulevards just steps from the famous Mel’s Drive-in. The official commemorative ending of Route 66 is marked with the End of the Trail sign on the Santa Monica Pier

Be sure to stop for a photo at this unforgettable landmark and discover more hier.

Dive Into Santa Monica Dining

With over 400 restaurants spread throughout the city’s eight neighborhoods, World Cup visitors will find endless culinary options. From budget-friendly eateries to acclaimed fine-dining institutions and everything in between, the offerings are endless.

Check out the comprehensive Speiseführer.

Close to Matches – Far From the Stress

Santa Monica blends world-class entertainment with strategic convenience — and that goes for travel too. SoFi Stadium is easily reachable from the beach via multiple transit options, making match days smooth and stress-free. After the final whistle, return to the coast for calm, comfort, and celebration seaside.

Transit Options from Shore to Stadium

Experience FIFA World Cup™ 2026 car-free by choosing Santa Monica hotels for your overnight stay or even stop by for a fun daytrip between matches. With seamless connections, getting to SoFi Stadium is a breath of fresh air and no car is required. Think smooth rides, coastal views and game-day journeys that feel as relaxed as your destination.

As the official public transit provider of the World Cup, LA Metro rail, bus and event-day shuttles will provide frequent service to and from games, and flexible rideshare options keep you connected while letting you fully embrace Santa Monica’s laid-back luxury. Catch the match, skip the traffic and return to ocean breezes, sunset strolls and a stay that moves at your desired pace.

Big Blue Bus + Metro Connections

Big Blue Bus Route 3 travels from central Santa Monica toward the LAX/Metro Transit Center, with frequent service throughout the day.
From the LAX Transit Center, you can connect to a free SoFi Stadium shuttle bus (Bay 8) that drops you right at the venue on event days — a great car-free gameday plan and an affordable way to travel the whole way.

Metro Rail & Bus Combination

Start at the Downtown Santa Monica station über die Metro E Line (Expo) and ride eastbound.
Transfer at Expo/Crenshaw to reach parts of the Metro system that serve the Inglewood area.
From there, local Metro Bus routes 115, 117, and 212 generally operate toward the stadium vicinity, stopping near Manchester Blvd and other key corridors close to SoFi.
Fares on Metro buses typically start around the standard LA Metro rate with a TAP card. Connecting through transit apps ahead of time helps plan transfers and timing.

Metro Game-Day Shuttles

Shuttle routes and maps for each match will be available soon. Check back for updates from LA Metro!
TBD LIST

Other Convenient Ways

Rideshare/Taxi: If you’re short on time or traveling with a group, rideshares like Uber/Lyft and self-driving Waymo robotaxis provide straightforward door-to-door service — ideal for return trips at night or when transit is less frequent. SoFi has designated rideshare drop-off and pickup areas near Kareem Court and Manchester Boulevard to keep things organized on event days.
Private Shuttles & Park-and-Ride: Some hotels and local transit partners offer shuttle services or park-and-ride connections that link into the Metro network or bring fans closer to the stadium — a comfortable compromise between transit and rideshare.

Cycling: Want to keep things moving? Bike to SoFi Stadium from Santa Monica or opt for an electric bike for an extra boost along the way. Explore local bike rental options here.

Pro Travel Tips for Match Days

Start early: Give yourself extra time to settle in and enjoy the ride. An earlier departure keeps the journey smooth and the game-day energy easy.

Use the TAP app: Load your fare in advance to keep things moving with ease — just tap and ride.

Plan your return: After the game, buses and trains fill quickly; allow extra minutes for boarding and possible waits for frequent routes.

Make the journey part of the fun: Bring a snack, create a playlist and enjoy the ride — it’s all part of the game-day experience, Santa Monica style.

Whether you choose the scenic public transit route, a stress-free shuttle connection or a quick rideshare, Santa Monica puts you in reach of every LA match at SoFi Stadium with the beach waiting for you when it’s all over.

Verantwortungsvoll reisen in Santa Monica

Reisen Sie sicher und nachhaltig und tragen Sie mit diesen Tipps dazu bei, die Schönheit Santa Monicas zu erhalten und gleichzeitig gesund zu bleiben.