The 2026 World Cup & Hollywood Park Group Logistics Guide
Navigating SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome for Large Groups
Los Angeles will host eight matches for the FIFA World Cup 26™, including the US Men’s National Team opener on June 12, 2026. Whether you’re bringing a corporate delegation to the Intuit Dome for a pre-match hospitality event or a fan club to SoFi Stadium (referred to as Los Angeles Stadium by FIFA), Inglewood’s logistics challenges require elite-level planning.
1. The “World Cup Alert”: What Changes for 2026
FIFA matches operate under different rules than typical NFL games.
- The “Clean Zone” Ordinance: The City of Inglewood will implement “Event Zones” during the World Cup. Streets like Prairie Ave and Century Blvd will enforce “No-Stopping” rules for all non-official vehicles.
- Security Perimeter: Expect a wider security “ring” than usual. Charter buses may be directed to secondary checkpoints before being allowed near the Kareem Court loading zones.
- Match Dates: Mark your calendars for June 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 28, and July 2 and 10, 2026. On these days, traffic within a 5-mile radius of Hollywood Park will be at “surge” levels.
2. Arrival & Drop-Off: The Inglewood Corridor
To ensure your group doesn’t get stuck in the “Inglewood Loop,” follow these designated access routes:
- Primary Hub (SoFi Stadium): Charter bus drop-off is centered on Kareem Court (Northbound curb). Have your driver enter via Westbound Pincay Drive from Crenshaw Blvd. Avoid Prairie Ave at all costs on match days.
- Intuit Dome Access: While adjacent to SoFi, the Dome features its own Mobility Hub (Level 1 of the Standard East Garage). If your group has a dual-venue itinerary, use the Dome’s dedicated pass-through for a faster, covered exit.
3. Staging & Parking (Where the Bus “Hides”)
A bus cannot simply “wait” for your group. You must have a strategy for the 3–5 hours your group is inside the venue.
- Pre-Paid On-Site (The Pink Zone): For most major events, oversized vehicle parking is in the Hyundai Pink Zone (Lot P). Crucial: World Cup parking must be purchased months in advance through the official FIFA or SoFi portals. There is zero drive-up parking for buses.
- Off-Site Staging: If you do not have an on-site pass, the bus must leave the district. Common staging areas include the Forum parking lots or the Mary K. Giordano Regional Transit Center in Torrance.
- Driver Hours of Service: Ensure your itinerary accounts for the driver’s “Hours of Service.” With 2+ hours of post-game gridlock, a simple 4-hour match can quickly become an 8-hour shift.
4. The Golden Rule: The “All-Present” Protocol
Do NOT call your driver to the curb until every single member of your group is standing at the designated pickup zone.
In 2026, Traffic Control Officers (TCOs) will be under orders to keep traffic moving. If your bus reaches the curb and your group isn’t there to board immediately, the officer will force the driver to move. Due to the one-way street closures in Hollywood Park, a “simple loop” can take 45–90 minutes to complete.
Expert Tip: Appoint a “Bus Captain.” This person’s only job is to stand at the curb, count heads, and send the “GO” text to the driver only when the count is 100% complete.
5. Group Safety & Compliance Checklist
| Requirement | Detail |
| Clear Bag Policy | Strictly enforced. Only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags (12″ x 6″ x 12″) allowed. |
| Digital-Only | All parking and entry passes must be on a mobile device. Printouts will not be scanned. |
| No “Idling” | California has strict anti-idling laws. Your bus will turn its engine off while parked to comply with environmental regulations. |
| Headcount | A 56-passenger coach cannot take 57 people. FIFA security may check manifests; ensure your count is accurate. |
6. Planning Your Escape: The Post-Match Surge
The “Core Disruption” begins 15 minutes before the final whistle and lasts for 2 hours.
- Your Meeting Point: Designate a landmark like the Lake Park Promenade (Gate 9) as your regrouping spot.
The “Wait it Out” Strategy: For high-stakes World Cup matches, we recommend groups stay in the FIFA Fan Festival zones inside Hollywood Park for 60 minutes post-match. This allows the initial wave of 70,000+ fans to clear, making your bus pickup significantly smoother.
Provide this one-page sheet to your driver 24 hours before your trip to ensure they have the exact coordinates for Kareem Court and Lot P.
Printable Checklist for Planners & Group Leaders
Pre‑Event (7–14 Days Out)
- ☐ Confirm event‑specific bus instructions from the stadium/organizer.
- ☐ Purchase and download the correct digital oversize parking pass (if applicable).
- ☐ Verify clear bag and prohibited items policy; send a pre‑trip email to all guests.
- ☐ Finalize passenger count; add vehicle capacity buffer if close to max.
- ☐ Identify your regroup point and mark it on a map.
- ☐ Assign roles:
- Lead group contact (sole communicator with the driver).
- Headcount checker.
- Accessibility liaison (if needed).
Game / Event Day – Arrival
- ☐ Driver has written directions for the designated drop‑off gate or curb.
- ☐ Plan to arrive 60–90 minutes early (longer for FIFA or All‑Star).
- ☐ Upon arrival, unload quickly; send the bus to staging immediately.
- ☐ Confirm with the driver:
- Staging location.
- Approximate time to re‑enter campus.
- Preferred communication method (text/phone).
During the Event
- ☐ Group leader keeps phone battery healthy and ringer on.
- ☐ Monitor event progress to anticipate end time.
- ☐ Confirm with the driver when you are 30 minutes from regroup.
Post‑Event – Departure
- ☐ Everyone meets at the pre‑named regroup point (not the curb).
- ☐ Headcount checker confirms that all passengers are present.
- ☐ Only then does the group leader text/call the driver to approach.
- ☐ Prepare guests for a possible 30–90‑minute delay due to post‑event traffic.
- ☐ Keep the curb boarding quick and organized; no last‑minute detours to concessions or restrooms once the bus is inbound.
Other FIFA World Cup Considerations
During The World Cup, SoFi becomes “Los Angeles Stadium” in tournament operations and the entire area will heat up: more international visitors, heavier policing, more credentialing, more restrictions, and less tolerance for improvisation.
The match window (and why it matters)
LA Metro’s World Cup page frames the SoFi match window as June 12 – July 10, 2026 and notes LA will host eight matches.
Planner implication: you’re operating in peak summer travel season, with overlapping tourism and higher strain on roads, hotels, and staffing.
Transit plans will be match-specific
LA Metro will maintain full travel details, shuttle routes, and maps for each match.
Planner implication: your definitive plan cannot be written a year out. You build a base plan now, then lock details when match-day routing is released and then amend as needed.
Parking will be centralized and controlled
FIFA’s official guidance points fans to the official FIFA World Cup 2026 parking site for stadium-specific parking info and accessible parking availability.
You can expect:
- fewer ad-hoc decisions at the curb
- stricter compliance checks
- more digital-only enforcement
The operational differences that bite planners
1) Security and screening time expands.
More checkpoints. More perimeter control. Earlier arrival becomes non-negotiable.
2) Road closures and “last-mile” controls are more likely.
Expect restricted turns, blocked segments, and enforced bus routing. Your driver may be forced into specific approaches that you didn’t expect.
3) Soccer (football) timing is slippery.
A “90-minute match” is not 90 minutes. Add:
- halftime
- stoppage time
- possible extra time + penalties (knockout matches)
Your pickup trigger should be based on the actual stadium release flow, not the scheduled final minute.
World Cup gold-standard plan:
- Arrive 2–3 hours early for World Cup matches unless official routing suggests otherwise. (You’re buying certainty.)
- Set a hard regroup time that assumes long egress.
- Use a two-stage pickup plan:
- Regroup inside the complex.
- Move to pickup only when whole.
- Lock your Bus Captain and keep the driver thread clean.
- Monitor official match-day transportation postings as they’re released (Metro + FIFA + venue instructions).
Essential Resource Hub for the 2026 World Cup & Hollywood Park
🏆 Official FIFA & Host City Portals
- Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Los Angeles Host City Site: The central source for match schedules, fan fest locations, and local host committee updates.
- FIFA.com/Tickets: The only official source for match tickets and hospitality packages.
- FIFA Host City Schedule: A direct link to the Los Angeles-specific match dates and kick-off times.
🚌 Parking & Vehicle Logistics
- Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Parking Site: Use this portal to reserve “Pink Zone” or oversized vehicle parking. Note: You must use the same email associated with your match tickets to book.
- SoFi Stadium Parking & Transportation Guide: View the official “Hyundai Parking Zone” maps and standard oversized vehicle policies.
- Inglewood Park & Go: The city’s official remote parking and shuttle service—ideal if on-site stadium parking is sold out.
📱 Venue Apps (Required for Entry)
- Intuit Dome App: Required for “Zoom Thru” entry into the Intuit Dome mobility hubs and parking garages.
- The SoFi Stadium App: Necessary for managing digital tickets and navigating the 300-acre Hollywood Park campus.
🚆 Public Transit & Shuttles
- LA Metro World Cup Transit Hub: Metro is the official transit provider for the LA host city. Check here for SoFi Stadium shuttle schedules from the LAX/Metro Transit Center (Bus Bay 8).
- GTrans SoFi Stadium Express: A reliable alternative shuttle service running from the Harbor Gateway Transit Center.
Need an Expert for Your World Cup Logistics?
Don’t leave your 2026 World Cup transportation to chance. Metropolitan Shuttle specializes in high-capacity event coordination.Request a charter bus Quote.