California Eateries and Parks Buzz With World Cup Excitement

WHO:

Los Angeles Times - International soccer fans, local eateries, Erewhon, In-N-Out, Trader Joe’s, El Pollo Loco, Andrew Heritage (chief economist at the Beer Institute), Jeff Schlitt (director at Arity), Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, Plenazo Tribe, Boogaloo Assassins.

NBC Los Angeles - Casey Settleman (attending a World Cup match every day).

WHAT:

Los Angeles Times - World Cup tourists are visiting Los Angeles for soccer and local cuisine, with Erewhon visits around SoFi Stadium quadrupling on June 12.

Los Angeles Times - A report projected the World Cup could bring more than $800 million to the L.A. region as 180,000 people are expected to visit.

NBC Los Angeles - A two-day open streets event called Park to Park 2026 features World Cup watch parties, live entertainment, and activities.

NBC Los Angeles - The Spain vs. Belgium match is the last of eight matches at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood.

WHERE:

Los Angeles Times - SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California; Erewhon, In-N-Out, Trader Joe’s, El Pollo Loco locations around SoFi Stadium.

NBC Los Angeles - Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles' MacArthur Park.

WHEN:

NBC Los Angeles - The Park to Park 2026 event is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. on a Friday and from noon to 9 p.m. on a Saturday.

NBC Los Angeles - The Spain vs. Belgium match occurs on the same Friday.

WHY:

Los Angeles Times - Local businesses benefit from the influx of soccer fans, who are spending money on food and drinks.

NBC Los Angeles - The event aims to promote community engagement and reconnect the north and south sides of MacArthur Park.

HOW:

Los Angeles Times - Fans are visiting local eateries quickly, spending an average of 15 to 18 minutes in stores, as they are purpose-driven shoppers.

NBC Los Angeles - The event includes watch parties, live music, local vendors, family activities, youth soccer clinics, and art activations.

(UPDATED July 11, 2026 13:24 UTC)

World Cup tourists are flocking to Los Angeles, with a report projecting that the event could generate over $800 million for the region as 180,000 visitors are expected. Local businesses are seeing a surge in customers, especially around SoFi Stadium, where fans are spending an average of 15 to 18 minutes in eateries like Erewhon and In-N-Out. This excitement culminates in the Park to Park 2026 event, featuring watch parties and activities, scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. on a Friday and noon to 9 p.m. on a Saturday, coinciding with the Spain vs. Belgium match.