Downey named official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone

Top row, from left: Downey Parks and Recreation Director Jason Chacon, Mayor Pro Tem Horacio Ortiz, Assistant City Manager Vaniah De Rojas, Mayor Claudia M. Frometa and City Manager Roger Bradley. Bottom row, from left: Recreation Manager Monica Ortiz and Assistant to the City Manager Juddy Montenegro.

DOWNEY — The City of Downey has been selected as an official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone, joining a regionwide slate of community locations that will host live match viewings and fan programming during the FIFA World Cup in 2026, city officials announced Wednesday.

Downey was chosen by the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee as part of an effort to extend World Cup experiences beyond stadiums and into local neighborhoods across Los Angeles County.

The tournament will run for 39 days, with Fan Zones serving as designated gathering places for residents and visitors to watch matches and participate in soccer-themed activities.

Downey’s Fan Zone is scheduled for June 20, placing the city among several high-profile locations selected throughout the region. Other Fan Zone sites include Union Station and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Venice Beach, Hansen Dam Lake, Fairplex and Whittier Narrows.

City officials said Downey’s participation will allow Southeast Los Angeles residents to engage directly with the global event without traveling to match venues. The Fan Zone concept is designed to provide free, accessible and family-friendly spaces that celebrate the international scope of the World Cup.

In a statement, Mayor Claudia M. Frometa said the designation creates an opportunity for Downey to showcase community pride while welcoming soccer fans from across the region.

“The City of Downey is proud to be selected as an official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone,” said Frometa. “The World Cup brings the world together, and this Fan Zone allows Downey to extend that experience to Southeast Los Angeles and surrounding communities. It’s an opportunity to celebrate community and create inclusive, family-friendly experiences centered on the shared excitement of the game. We are thrilled and can not wait to share the excitement with our community and with soccer aficionados from throughout the region.”

The Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zones are part of the Host Committee’s broader strategy to ensure the tournament delivers lasting social, cultural and economic benefits across the county. Organizers say the decentralized model will help spread economic activity while allowing more communities to participate in the World Cup atmosphere.

Additional details about Downey’s Fan Zone programming, including the specific location and schedule of activities, are expected to be announced at a later date.

More information about Los Angeles World Cup 2026 events is available at LosAngelesFWC26.com.