The biggest sporting event on the planet is coming to Los Angeles this summer — and Redondo Beach is about eight miles from the stadium. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, kicks off on June 11 with matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood through mid-July. For Redondo Beach residents, that means weeks of world-class soccer, thousands of international visitors in the South Bay, and a rare chance for a small coastal city to ride a very large wave. Here's what you need to know.
What's happening at SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium is one of 16 host venues across North America for the 2026 World Cup — the first time the tournament has been held in the US since 1994. The Inglewood stadium, which seats roughly 70,000 for soccer configuration, will host group-stage matches, a round-of-16 game, quarterfinals, and one semifinal. FIFA has not yet confirmed whether SoFi will host the final, but Los Angeles is considered a leading candidate.
For context, the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar drew an estimated 1.5 billion television viewers worldwide. The 2026 tournament is expanded to 48 teams for the first time, meaning more matches, more fans, and a longer schedule than any previous World Cup. LA's matches will draw sellout crowds from around the globe — and many of those visitors will be looking for South Bay hotels, restaurants, and beaches in between games.
Why it matters for Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach is the closest beach city to SoFi Stadium. The drive from the pier to the stadium is roughly 8 miles — about 15 minutes without traffic, though match-day congestion will push that higher. Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach are slightly closer by the map, but Redondo's waterfront, harbor dining, and hotel inventory give it a distinct draw for visitors looking for a base camp near the action.
The economic potential is significant. The LA Tourism & Convention Board has projected that the World Cup will generate billions in regional economic impact across the greater Los Angeles area during the tournament. For Redondo Beach, even capturing a small slice of that — through hotel stays, restaurant spending, and retail — could meaningfully boost the city's sales tax revenue during what's already the busiest tourism season of the year.
Watch parties at Seaside Lagoon
The city has been planning community World Cup watch parties at Seaside Lagoon — the heated saltwater swimming lagoon in King Harbor. The lagoon's open-air setting, family-friendly atmosphere, and waterfront location make it a natural fit for outdoor screenings. The concept: big screens, food vendors, and a community gathering space where residents can watch World Cup matches together without needing a ticket to SoFi.
Details on specific dates, times, and ticketing for the watch parties are expected from the city's Community Services Department as the tournament approaches. We'll update this article as the schedule is confirmed. The lagoon typically operates seasonally during summer months, so the World Cup timing aligns perfectly with its open season.
Getting to SoFi from Redondo Beach
Driving:The most direct route from Redondo Beach to SoFi Stadium is north on the 405 to Manchester Boulevard or Century Boulevard, then east to Prairie Avenue and Stadium Drive. On non-match days, that's a 15–20 minute drive. On match days, expect significantly longer — FIFA events at SoFi during the 2022 Club World Cup and 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup saw traffic backed up for miles in all directions. Leave at least 90 minutes before kickoff if you're driving.
Transit:Metro's C Line (Green Line) runs from the Redondo Beach / Marine station (Aviation/LAX area) to the Downtown Inglewood station, about a 10-minute walk from SoFi. FIFA has indicated that public transit will be heavily encouraged, and Metro is expected to run extended service during match days. The South Bay's C Line station at Marine/Redondo is the closest rail option for Redondo residents.
Rideshare:Uber and Lyft will operate designated pick-up and drop-off zones near the stadium. Expect surge pricing before and after matches. If you're splitting costs, this may still be cheaper than stadium parking.
Traffic and parking impacts
Even if you're not attending a match, the World Cup will affect your commute. The 405 freeway will see heavy congestion on match days, particularly in the northbound lanes during the afternoon and evening. Surface streets through Hawthorne, Lawndale, and Inglewood will also be affected.
Residents who commute north through the 405/105 interchange should plan alternate routes or adjust timing on match days. The city of Inglewood and Caltrans are expected to publish specific traffic management plans closer to the tournament. We recommend checking Sigalert or Waze before heading out on match days.
Within Redondo Beach itself, the pier and harbor area may see increased visitor traffic as international fans explore the beach cities between matches. The city's King Harbor parking lots and metered spots along the Esplanade could fill up faster than a typical summer day.
What local businesses should know
The World Cup represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Redondo Beach restaurants, bars, and hotels. Visitors from dozens of countries will be staying in the South Bay, many looking for casual waterfront dining, bars showing matches, and the quintessential Southern California beach experience between games.
Restaurants and bars with outdoor screens or large TVs showing matches will be in high demand. The pier, Riviera Village, and Artesia Boulevard dining corridors are all well-positioned to capture walk-in traffic from visitors exploring the coast. Hotels along Pacific Coast Highway and near the waterfront should expect elevated bookings — many international visitors prefer beach-adjacent accommodations over downtown LA hotels.
For businesses looking to prepare, the city's economic development office is the first point of contact for any temporary event permits, extended hours requests, or outdoor dining adjustments. If you run a business in Redondo Beach and want to capitalize on World Cup traffic, now is the time to plan — the tournament runs for roughly five weeks.
Safety and security
Large international sporting events bring heightened security protocols. The Redondo Beach Police Department — in coordination with the LAPD, Inglewood PD, FBI, and other agencies — will be part of a regional security framework during the tournament. Residents shouldn't expect major disruptions within city limits, but may notice increased law enforcement presence along major corridors and at public gathering spots.
The city's experience with large events at the waterfront — including the annual BeachLife Festival, which draws tens of thousands to King Harbor — gives local emergency services familiarity with crowd management, traffic control, and multi-agency coordination. That said, the World Cup is a different scale. If the city hosts official watch parties or fan events, expect bag checks, restricted vehicle access in certain areas, and a visible security presence.
How to follow along
Matches at SoFi Stadium will air on Fox, FS1, and Telemundo/Universo (English and Spanish broadcasts). Streaming is available through Peacock and the FIFA+ app. The full SoFi match schedule will be published by FIFA as the tournament draw is finalized.
For local watch party details and city-organized events, monitor the City of Redondo Beach website and the Community Services Department's social media channels. We'll also cover any City Council discussions about World Cup planning, event permits, and economic impact in our regular council updates.
The bottom line
The 2026 World Cup is a massive moment for the South Bay. Redondo Beach won't host any matches, but its proximity to SoFi Stadium, waterfront attractions, and growing tourism infrastructure put it in a strong position to benefit. Whether you're planning to attend a match, watch at Seaside Lagoon with neighbors, or just trying to avoid the traffic — a little preparation goes a long way.
We'll keep this guide updated as the city announces watch party details, the SoFi match schedule is finalized, and traffic plans take shape. Bookmark this page and check back as kickoff approaches.