parks
The World Cup has come and gone. LA loved the tournament, with some hiccups
By Libby Rainey at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 19, 2026
· 4 min read
Hundreds gathered at a city watch party in Highland Park to watch Mexico defeat Ecuador.(Libby Rainey / LAist)To understand how the World Cup went in Los Angeles this summer, look no further than the watch parties.The city of L.A.'s events — branded "Kick it in the Park" — were neighborhood picn...
Key takeaway In total, the city reports that at least 35,000 people attended them over the past month.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The World Cup's impact on Los Angeles extends beyond the tournament itself, as the city gears up to host the 2028 summer Olympics. The "Kick it in the Park" watch parties, which drew at least 35,000 attendees, demonstrate the potential for community-driven events to bring people together in local parks. However, the mixed reception to FIFA's official "fan zones" raises questions about the balance between hosting large-scale events and serving the needs of local residents. As the city prepares for the Olympics, it will be crucial to address concerns around accessibility, affordability, and community benefits. The success of Metro's special bus system in transporting tens of thousands of people to and from SoFi Stadium is a promising sign, but the city must continue to prioritize the needs of its residents and ensure that major events enhance, rather than disrupt, community life.
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: parks ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Hundreds gathered at a city watch party in Highland Park to watch Mexico defeat Ecuador.(Libby Rainey / LAist)To understand how the World Cup went in Los Angeles this summer, look no further than the watch parties.The city of L.A.'s events — branded "Kick it in the Park" — were neighborhood picn...
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 Libby Rainey 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 parks coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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