Downey approves plans for World Cup Fan Zone at Stonewood Center
Stonewood Center in Downey will serve as an official World Cup Fan Zone this summer. Downey committed $300,000 towards the event. Artist's renderings
DOWNEY – The Downey City Council on Tuesday approved a $300,000 professional services agreement with Be Social Productions to produce the city’s official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone, clearing the way for what officials describe as a full-scale, all-day international soccer celebration at Stonewood Center on June 20.
Downey is one of just 10 sites selected across Los Angeles County to host an official FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Zone. City officials were notified in late December that Downey’s proposal had been selected, citing its capacity to accommodate an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 attendees, its infrastructure and its ability to deliver a secure, professionally produced event.
The agreement with Be Social Productions runs from Feb. 24 through July 30 and authorizes the Beverly Hills-based event production firm to plan, coordinate and execute the city’s Fan Zone.
The Fan Zone will coincide with four live World Cup matches broadcast on large outdoor screens:
10 a.m. — Netherlands vs. UEFA Playoff B
1 p.m. — Germany vs. Ivory Coast
7 p.m. — Ecuador vs. Curacao
9 p.m. — Japan vs. Tunisia
Event hours are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with opening ceremonies taking place shortly before the first match.
General admission will be free and open to all ages.
City officials described the Fan Zone as a professionally produced sports festival rather than a simple watch party.
Under the agreement, Be Social Productions will handle the full event layout and production, including:
■ A main viewing area with a large stage and high-resolution LED viewing screen
■ Full audio and video production capable of broadcasting live matches and on-stage programming
■ Bleachers, chairs, picnic tables and cocktail tables
■ Event lighting and power generators
■ A designated beer garden
■ A food court with diverse food vendors
■ An interactive “Fun Zone” and activation areas
■ A soccer clinic and exhibition space
■ Branded décor and marketing materials
■ A ticketing system for crowd management and VIP access
■ Vendor coordination and permitting
■ On-site staffing, volunteers and post-event reporting
The site plan will include shaded seating areas, accessible pathways and ramps, and designated areas for families. Adequate lighting is required throughout the venue, particularly for evening matches, along with first aid stations and on-site medical staff.
The activation zone will feature interactive experiences tied to soccer culture, sponsor booths and community art elements. The city will coordinate an art wall and art walk installation, as well as a soccer exhibition component designed to engage youth and families.
Between matches, the stage will host live entertainment, presentations and sponsor activations to maintain energy throughout the day.
Although general admission is free, the city plans to offer paid VIP packages that will include private seating, refreshments and exclusive giveaway items. Be Social Productions will design the VIP experience in coordination with city staff, with profits flowing back to the city to offset event costs.
A controlled-access beer garden will operate during the event, and the city anticipates potential revenue sharing or profits tied to beverage sales.
Official FIFA merchandise will also be sold on site, with coordination handled by the city.
Because the event is expected to draw up to 15,000 people, public safety planning is central to the production.
The city will be responsible for:
■ Public safety and private security
■ Traffic control through Public Works staff
■ Medical and emergency response coordination
■ Downey Link bus service and shuttle pick-up and drop-off
■ Media coordination
■ Opening ceremony programming
The city is also eligible to apply for up to $100,000 in federal funding through a FEMA grant to offset personnel expenses for uniformed public safety officers assigned to the event. Only official Fan Zones qualify for this funding.
Vendors will be required to obtain health permits and provide certificates of insurance. All sponsors must be approved by the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee to avoid conflicts with official FIFA sponsors.
The council-approved contract caps event production costs at $300,000, funded through the city’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 operating budget under the CIP General Fund account.
However, city officials expect a significant portion of the cost to be offset through:
■ Corporate sponsorships
■ VIP ticket sales
■ Merchandise sales
■ Beer garden revenue
■ Potential FEMA reimbursement
Beyond direct offsets, officials anticipate increased sales tax and economic activity from visitors patronizing local restaurants, retailers and service businesses before and after the event.
The city’s proposal to the host committee emphasized its ability to handle large crowds, provide adequate parking and ensure Metro accessibility. Stonewood Center’s infrastructure and central location were key factors in Downey’s selection.
A lease agreement with Stonewood Center is expected to come before the City Council at a future meeting.
City staff framed the Fan Zone as both an economic driver and a community pride event.
As one of only 10 official sites in the region, Downey will be featured alongside major venues such as Union Station, Venice Beach and Hansen Dam Lake.
Officials expect the Fan Zone to:
■ Generate increased foot traffic for local businesses
■ Promote the city’s Discover Downey branding to an international audience
■ Provide an inclusive, no-cost way for residents to participate in the World Cup
■ Create a centralized gathering space for the Southeast Los Angeles County region
Setup for the event will begin June 18, with staging, screen installation and art elements installed over two days. Technical rehearsals will be conducted the evening before the event to ensure broadcast and sound quality.
By June 20, Stonewood Center’s parking and open areas will be transformed into a large-scale sports festival featuring giant screens, music, food and community programming from morning through late evening.
City officials said final details, including sponsor announcements and VIP pricing, will be released in April.