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MLS works to bring in a new generation of fans as the World Cup comes to an end
By Becky Sullivan | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 19, 2026
· 8 min read
Fans react during a watch party for the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Carson on July 1.(Ethan Swope / AP)
CHICAGO — For the past five weeks, a bar in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood has become one of the country's biggest World Cup watch parties, with...
Key takeaway By the time the final whistle is blown on the World Cup between Argentina and Spain on Sunday, an estimated 60,000 people or more will have come through at some point in the summer for a taste of World Cup fever.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
As the World Cup comes to a close, Los Angeles residents who caught the soccer fever can look forward to the local MLS team's efforts to capitalize on the momentum. With the league's growth over the years, from 10 teams in 1996 to 30 teams today, MLS is poised to attract a new generation of fans in the city. The success of watch parties like the one in Chicago suggests that similar events in Los Angeles could draw large crowds and help build a stronger fanbase. As the city's own team prepares for the rest of the season, fans can expect to see more televised games and potentially more community events to keep the World Cup excitement alive. With every game now televised on Apple TV, Los Angeles residents have ample opportunity to follow their local team and become a part of the growing MLS fanbase.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 8 min
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What is this story about? Fans react during a watch party for the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Carson on July 1.(Ethan Swope / AP)
CHICAGO — For the past five weeks, a bar in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood has become one of the country's biggest World Cup watch parties, with...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Becky Sullivan | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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