SoFi Stadium World Cup 2026 — Semifinal Venue Guide

SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California is the newest and most expensive venue in the 2026 World Cup portfolio. Opened in September 2020 at a staggering cost of over $5 billion, this architectural marvel serves as home to both the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. For the World Cup, SoFi will host one of the two semifinal matches, putting it at the center of the tournament’s climax alongside MetLife Stadium.

Stadium Overview

SoFi Stadium sits at the heart of Hollywood Park, a 298-acre mixed-use development in Inglewood that includes retail, residential, office space, and entertainment facilities. The stadium’s most distinctive feature is its translucent ETFE roof canopy, which is not a traditional closed roof but rather a fixed, open-sided structure that provides shade while allowing natural airflow.

Key specifications:

• Capacity: 70,240 (expandable to 100,000 for special configurations)
• Opened: September 2020
• Cost: Over $5 billion (most expensive stadium ever built)
• Surface: Artificial turf (natural grass to be installed for WC)
• Roof: Fixed ETFE translucent canopy (open sides)
• Address: 1001 Stadium Drive, Inglewood, CA 90301

The stadium has already proven its ability to host elite global events. It hosted Super Bowl LVI in February 2022 and was the venue for the College Football Playoff National Championship. The 2028 Summer Olympics will use SoFi as a primary venue, making the 2026 World Cup an important dress rehearsal.

World Cup Match Assignments

SoFi Stadium hosts 8 matches during the 2026 World Cup:

• Group Stage: 3 matches
• Round of 32: 1 match
• Round of 16: 1 match
• Quarterfinal: 1 match
• Semifinal: 1 match (one of only two semifinal venues)

The semifinal assignment makes SoFi one of the most prestigious venues in the tournament. Matches here will attract global television audiences measured in the billions.

Seating and Capacity

SoFi’s standard football configuration seats 70,240, but the venue can expand significantly for concerts and special events. For the World Cup, FIFA may adjust the layout, potentially utilizing the field-level areas around the pitch.

The seating bowl is divided into:

• 100 Level: Field-level premium seating, closest to the action
• 200 Level: Club level with indoor/outdoor lounges and premium dining
• 300 Level: Upper concourse seating
• 400/500 Level: Upper deck sections
• SoFi Stadium Suites: Various luxury options across multiple levels

The stadium’s design places even the highest seats relatively close to the field compared to other NFL venues, thanks to the steep rake of the upper tiers.

Getting to SoFi Stadium

SoFi Stadium is located in Inglewood, roughly 3 miles east of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and 10 miles southwest of Downtown LA.

By Metro: The LA Metro K Line (Crenshaw/LAX) stops at the Downtown Inglewood station, approximately 1 mile from the stadium. The Inglewood Transit Connector, a people mover system, is being built to link the Metro station directly to the Hollywood Park complex and SoFi Stadium. For World Cup 2026, shuttle services will likely bridge any remaining gap.

By Car: The stadium is accessible via the I-405, I-105, and Century Boulevard. Parking is available in structures within the Hollywood Park development. However, Los Angeles traffic is notoriously bad, and match-day congestion will be severe.

From LAX: The proximity to LAX is a major advantage. Rideshares or taxis from the airport take just 10–15 minutes outside peak hours. This makes SoFi one of the most airport-accessible World Cup venues in 2026.

Rideshare: Dedicated rideshare pickup and drop-off zones are located in the Hollywood Park complex. Surge pricing should be expected before and after matches.

The Inglewood Area

Inglewood has undergone a massive transformation since SoFi Stadium was announced. The area around Hollywood Park now features restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. The nearby Forum (a historic concert venue) and the Intuit Dome (home of the LA Clippers, opened 2024) create a sports and entertainment district.

For World Cup visitors, the broader Los Angeles area offers endless attractions: Santa Monica and Venice Beach are 20 minutes away, Hollywood is 30 minutes north, and Downtown LA is accessible via the Metro in under an hour.

Hotels Near SoFi Stadium

Accommodation options near SoFi Stadium include:

• SoFi Hotel (at Hollywood Park): Directly adjacent to the stadium, walking distance
• Hilton Garden Inn LAX/El Segundo: Short drive, near the airport
• Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel: Close to LAX with shuttle service
• Hotels in Manhattan Beach/El Segundo: 10–15 minutes south, beachside options

Given LA’s sprawl, staying anywhere along the Metro K Line corridor provides convenient access. Santa Monica, Downtown LA, and Hollywood all offer rich hotel selections with transit connections to Inglewood.

Los Angeles hotel prices will surge during the World Cup, especially for the semifinal match. Booking 6+ months in advance is strongly recommended. Consider Airbnb and vacation rental alternatives for longer stays.

SoFi Stadium represents the future of sports venues. Its combination of cutting-edge design, proximity to LAX, and the electric atmosphere of Los Angeles make it a fitting stage for a World Cup semifinal. Whether the USMNT makes it this far or two international heavyweights clash under the California sky, SoFi will deliver an unforgettable experience.