Santa Monica is excited to welcome visitors, soccer fans, and the regional community during the World Cup. Whether you’re staying in Santa Monica, heading to a match at Los Angeles Stadium, or meeting up with friends for local fan events and watch parties, a little planning can help make your trip easy, safe, and affordable.
Santa Monica offers many ways to get around without relying on a car. Big Blue Bus, the Metro E Line, walking, biking, shared scooters, and e-bikes can help you move through the city and connect to destinations across the region. Choosing these options during busy World Cup travel days can also help reduce congestion, save money on gas and parking, and make it easier for everyone to enjoy Santa Monica.
Heading to a match? Ride Big Blue Bus to the Los Angeles Stadium
Big Blue Bus will provide direct service from Downtown Santa Monica to all eight World Cup matches at the Los Angeles Stadium. Service will depart every 10 minutes from Downtown Santa Monica, beginning about four hours before each match. Return trips will run until about 90 minutes after the final whistle.
- Park–and–Ride from Downtown Santa Monica – Fans can reserve parking in advance through SpotHero. Each reservation includes a roundtrip ride to the Los Angeles Stadium for everyone in the vehicle on the day of the match. Park-and-ride service is located at 4th Street and Wilshire Boulevard.
- Walk–up and ride – Staying nearby? Visitors can walk to the Downtown Santa Monica service area and ride direct service to the stadium for $1.75 each way. Seats for walk-up riders are based on availability, with priority given to park-and-ride reservations.
Staying local? Get to fan events and watch parties without driving
You don’t have to leave Santa Monica to enjoy the energy of the World Cup. There are several exciting fan events and watch parties happening throughout the area:
- Club Fan Experience on the Santa Monica Pier. From June 11-25, fans 21+ can enjoy a free large-scale soccer-themed environment, with live match viewing, interactive games, cultural programming, merchandise offerings, and appearances by athletes, celebrities, and global icons.
- World Cup Kick Off Celebration, Fan Fest & Watch Party at Santa Monica Place June 12. The westside’s largest USA World Cup kick-off celebration.
- Golden Hour at Third Street Promenade, June 12, June 21, June 27, and July 10 – designed to complement the Pier fan experience with free pre- and post-match activities, Golden Hour features exhibitors, fan experiences, local vendors, and more.
- World Play Zone at the Metro Downtown Santa Monica Station (E Line) Kiss and Ride lot, weekends June 11-June 28 – a ticketed family-friendly World Cup activation designed to engage young fans and multigenerational households with soccer challenges, skill stations, and play.
- Pulse in the Park at Tongva Park on July 4. Keep the celebration going after the annual Main Street Fourth of July Parade and enjoy a fun, energetic, free community gathering with live music, food vendors, brand pop-ups, and more.
- The Garden Series in Tongva Park, June 14 and July 12. Free, relaxed, and restorative activities centered around globally inspired craft experiences and wellness, such as jewelry making, pottery, and printmaking, along with movement sessions and guided breathwork.
- Make Music Santa Monica June 21 at the Metro Downtown Santa Monica Station (E Line), Kiss-and-Ride lot. Participate in Santa Monica’s take on the global Make Music Day festivities with a unique World Cup theme. Enjoy free live music, hands-on music workshops, soccer-inspired activations, Route 66 tributes, and free family fun, and head to Reed Park for additional activities in the afternoon.
- Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone at Venice Beach, July 11, extends the excitement of the World Cup into communities across LA County – bringing live match viewing and immersive fan experiences closer to where you live, work, and gather. COAST Open Streets Festival, July 19 – a free, all-ages, car-free, pedestrian-focused culmination of Santa Monica’s World Cup activations featuring art installations, cultural programming, interactive experiences, and food vendors. COAST will link key destinations along and near Ocean Avenue, including the Santa Monica Pier, Tongva Park, Palisades Park, Arizona Avenue, Third Street Promenade, and the Metro E Line terminus at Downtown Santa Monica Station.
If you’re heading to the Pier, Downtown Santa Monica, the beach, local restaurants, hotels, fan events, or watch parties, consider walking, biking, riding transit, or using shared mobility.
Walk: Downtown Santa Monica, the Pier, the beach area and nearby hotels and restaurants are all great places to explore on foot. Please use crosswalks, follow traffic signals, stay aware of your surroundings, and allow extra time on busy event days.
Bike: Biking can be a convenient option for short trips and connections to transit. Use bike lanes where available and follow all traffic laws.
Use e-scooters and e-bikes responsibly: Santa Monica’s shared mobility options include Metro Bike Share, Spin, and Veo. Visitors can find and unlock devices through each provider’s app or website.
Help keep Santa Monica safe and accessible
Shared mobility works best when everyone rides and parks responsibly. Riders must be at least 16 years old, only one person is allowed per device, and riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal. Shared bikes and scooters may not be ridden on sidewalks, the Third Street Promenade, Pier Bridge or Ocean Front Walk.
When your trip ends, use a designated shared mobility parking area when available. Otherwise, park in the sidewalk furniture zone near benches, utility poles, tree wells or bike racks, and never block sidewalks, curb ramps, ADA access, doorways or busy pedestrian areas.
Tips for a smoother World Cup visit
- Plan your trip before you go and give yourself extra time before matches and local events.
- Use transit, walking, biking, or shared mobility when possible.
- Bring or load your TAP card or mobile fare option before traveling.
- Check Big Blue Bus service information for the latest details.
- Follow traffic laws, yield to pedestrians, and park bikes and scooters responsibly.
Whether you’re heading to a match, exploring the Pier, meeting friends for a watch party, or supporting local businesses, Santa Monica offers many ways to get there. Plan ahead, choose the option that works best for your trip, and help keep Santa Monica safe, sustainable, and welcoming for everyone.
