CoStar News examined each FIFA World Cup host city and what the tournament June 11-July 19 could mean for local infrastructure, real estate, tourism and economic development long before the first soccer match is played. Find links to all the markets here.
FIFA World Cup soccer action is coming to cities across North America, including Los Angeles, a global gateway long defined by entertainment, trade and some of the most valuable real estate in the United States.
That spotlight is expected to bring a meaningful economic jolt. Los Angeles businesses anticipate $594 million in economic impact and about 180,000 visitors, according to the LA World Cup 2026 Host Committee. One of the country’s newest and most expensive stadiums — SoFi Stadium in Inglewood — hosts eight matches.
The influx arrives as the region’s hotel industry expands at a measured pace. About 2,300 hotel rooms across 19 projects are under construction in Los Angeles, representing a 2% inventory increase through 2027, in line with recent delivery levels despite higher construction costs and financing headwinds, according to CoStar data.
Beyond the stadium, Los Angeles is already deeply rooted in the sport with prominent clubs such as LA Galaxy, Los Angeles Football Club and Angel City Football Club calling the region home.
City officials are also aiming to spread the benefits beyond match days at SoFi Stadium. Plans include 10 designated World Cup fan zones across the county, from Venice Beach to downtown Burbank, featuring watch events for some of the world’s biggest matches.
Here is CoStar News’ scouting report:
The city
Los Angeles, founded in 1781 under Spanish rule, has grown into the second-largest U.S. city with a metropolitan area population exceeding 12 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Spanning more than 500 square miles, greater Los Angeles is among the nation’s most geographically expansive major cities, with development stretching from coastal enclaves such as Santa Monica to inland industrial hubs and suburban valleys.
How the skyline was shaped
Los Angeles’ skyline reflects decades of zoning limits and seismic safety concerns that have historically constrained building heights compared with cities such as New York and Chicago.
The tallest building is the 1,100-foot Wilshire Grand Center, completed in 2017 in downtown Los Angeles, which broke a long-standing height ceiling and symbolized a new era of vertical development in the city’s urban core. That compares to the nation's tallest building: the 1,776-foot One World Trade Center in New York City.
Fortune 500 companies
The Los Angeles region is home to major corporations that offer a glimpse into the area's diverse economic base.
Companies with headquarters in Los Angeles County, the nation's most populous, include Walt Disney Group in Burbank; Molina Healthcare in Long Beach; Live Nation Entertainment in Beverly Hills; Mattel in El Segundo; and Trader Joe's in Monrovia.
Real estate
Los Angeles remains one of the most supply-constrained and high-cost housing markets in the country, with median home prices exceeding $900,000, according to Homes.com data, as affordability challenges persist.
The region’s industrial sector, anchored by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, continues to rank among the nation’s largest logistics hubs, though leasing activity has slowed amid shifting trade patterns and tariff uncertainty, according to CoStar data.
Office vacancy has climbed in recent years, particularly in downtown Los Angeles, as hybrid work reshapes demand and retail property has shown resilience in high-income neighborhoods driven by experiential tenants and tourism.
The region's hotels are still outperforming the nation, but after a hot start to 2025 the market has leveled off, with revenue per average room slipping 0.4% year over year as travelers grow more value‑conscious, according to CoStar data.
Hotels are expected to see a surge in demand tied to the World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, with Los Angeles tourism officials projecting millions of additional visitors and elevated room rates during major global events.
Soccer venue
The host venue will be SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, a roughly $5 billion venue that opened in 2020 as the home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.
The stadium has already hosted high-profile soccer matches, such as a 2024 friendly match between Manchester United and Arsenal of the English Premier League. The stadium’s innovative hybrid grass system, tested in 2025, will ensure a FIFA-compliant playing surface.
Because of FIFA policies requiring neutral naming, the stadium will be referred to as Los Angeles Stadium during the tournament.
Los Angeles previously hosted World Cup matches in 1994 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, including the final, cementing the region’s long-standing role in U.S. soccer history.
This time around, the city hosts two group stage matches involving the U.S. national team.