Kathryn Schloessman, executive director of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee in Los Angeles, officially opened the FIFA Fan Festival at the Memorial Coliseum, which this Thursday could welcome some 40,000 fans to watch the match between the Mexican and South African teams on giant screens.

The FIFA Fan Festival is a four-day family event with tickets priced at $10 for adults and free admission for children under 12 years old. It will have giant screens to watch the matches and activities organized by the Major League Soccer clubs (LAFC and LA Galaxy).

“It's been an eight-year journey to bring the World Cup to Los Angeles, and we're thrilled to get things started on Thursday,” Schloessman told a crowd of local, national and international media members.

Schloessman explained that it was important to the Organizing Committee to bring the World Cup to Los Angeles: “It's not just about hosting eight games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which is fantastic, including the US Men's National Team opener this Friday, but about how to use the World Cup to really raise the profile of our city on the international stage.”

"How do we show the world what happens in Los Angeles and our great history? This is an incredible opportunity," said the executive, who noted that the Fan Festival is a great occasion, not only for visitors to be part of the World Cup, but also for Angelenos to participate.

They recommend traveling by Metro

Stephanie Wiggins, Metro CEO, advised soccer fans that the best way to get to the stadiums is by Metro. “The service is fast, it's easy and it costs only $1.75,” he reported.

The Los Angeles Metro stations that lead directly to the LA Memorial Coliseum are the Expo Park/USC station and the Expo/Vermont station on the E Line, as well as the 37th St/USC station on the J Line. After a short walk you reach the stadium located between Exposition and Martin Luther King Jr. boulevards, on Figueroa and Vermont avenues.

Gary Levitt, of Sequoia Productions, expressed his excitement because the world's biggest sporting event has come to life. “We planned this event on paper for years,” he said, and indicated that in the so-called Fan Fest plaza that has been installed on the Memorial Coliseum field there will be 16 interactive activities for children and adults to practice their skills with the ball, in addition to getting gifts.

They ask for “respect for humanity”

The organizers reported that the festival will feature the mascots of the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Maple, Zayu and Clutch. They noted that they hope that the FIFA Fan Festival will become the main public meeting point in Los Angeles for “red bones” fans, such as the family of Edgar “Shoboy” Sotelo, his wife Janet and their children Ariela and Alani.

They hope that security inside and outside the stadium is adequate, given the fear of the possible presence of immigration agents, who have continued their raids in Los Angeles, although not with the brutality shown in 2025.

“In the United States we have to understand that the spirit of soccer is one of unity and not division,” Sotelo commented. "One of the greatest symbols that the United States has is the Statue of Liberty, which gives humanity to immigrants and everyone who visits this country; we must have the love of God and respect for the dignity of all."

At the FIFA Fan Festival in Los Angeles, in addition to live match broadcasts, fan activities, international gastronomic offerings and cultural programming, there will be musical performances by artists such as the famous American DJ, music producer and businessman Steve Aoki, as well as Deorro, a Mexican-American DJ and music producer born in Los Angeles; the artist and producer Sickick, Los Lobos, Capital Cities and DJ Ravidrums.

“It is an honor and a privilege to perform as part of the FIFA World Cup celebrations in Los Angeles,” said Los Lobos saxophonist Steve Berlin. “We are pleased to join all Angelenos in showcasing the best this city has to offer our visitors, and we look forward to enjoying the games with everyone.”

Ravi Jakhotia, known as DJ Ravidrums, recalled watching the 1984 Olympic Games as a child and will now perform at the Memorial Coliseum for the FIFA Fan Festival: “What a great career!” he said.

“It is an honor for me to represent Los Angeles on one of the most important stages in the world and I am eager to transmit all that energy,” added the American music producer and drummer, famous for creating the concept of mixing live music while playing the drums simultaneously.

The menu at the FIFA Fan Festival

Thursday, June 1110:00 am: Opening of the stadium10:00 am: Mando Fresko10:25 am: MariachiArcoiris de Los Ángeles10:45 am: LOS LOBOS12:00 pm: Mexico vs. South Africa (on screens)2:20 pm: DEORRO3:20 pm: MADDS4:00 pm: Stadium closingFriday, June 1211:00 am: Stadium opening11:00 am: DJ Dense12:00 pm: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina2:40 p.m.: STEVE AOKI3:20 p.m.: Show titled “Chapters” with singers Mackenzie Sol and Alexandra Starr4:00 p.m.: DJ RAVIDRUMS4:45 p.m.: DJ Spider6:00 p.m.: USA vs. Paraguay (on screens)8:25 pm: DJ Spider9:00 pm: Closing of the stadiumSaturday, June 131:00 pm: Opening of the stadium1:00 pm: Knolldoll1:50 pm: Ballet Folklorico “Leyenda”2:40 pm: Knolldoll3:00 pm: Brazil vs. Morocco (on screens) 5:30 pm: Knolldoll 6:00 pm: Haiti vs. Scotland8:30 pm: CAPITAL CITIES9:00 pm: Closing of the stadiumSunday, June 149:00 am: Opening of the stadium9:00 am: LADLER, House and electronic music artist10:00 am: Germany vs. Curacao12:30 pm: J-Town Taiko Club1:00 pm: Netherlands vs. Japan (on screens) 3:30 pm: SICKICK 4:15 pm: NORMANI 5:00 pm: Stadium closure Fan areas in Los Angeles

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