Group of people playing soccer on a beach at sunset

A Summer of World Cup Excitement Kicks Off in San Diego

From beachfront fan hubs to community watch parties and themed celebrations, here is where to catch all the global tournament action
Jun 1, 2026

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, global soccer excitement is building across Southern California and San Diego is getting in on the action. While not an official host city for the tournament, San Diego is welcoming international teams, staging pre-kickoff friendlies and hosting high-energy fan experiences in celebration.

San Diego will serve as a training base for two national teams: New Zealand’s men’s national soccer team at the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium, and Switzerland’s national team at San Diego Jewish Academy in Carmel Valley. Snapdragon Stadium will host two “Countdown to ’26” international friendlies — Switzerland vs. Australia on June 6 and Colombia vs. Jordan on June 7 — giving fans an early preview of World Cup-level competition. To extend San Diego’s global visibility during the tournament, the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) launched a marketing campaign throughout Los Angeles targeting international visitors and soccer audiences arriving in Southern California. The campaign features full-scale Metro bus wraps across key routes, digital billboards along Interstate 405, and branded activations at LAX.

For those looking to catch every moment of the action, the SDTA rounded up top places across San Diego to watch the matches, cheer on your favorite team and be part of the global game, from large-scale watch parties and theme parks to family friendly zones and beloved local sports pubs. 
 

  • Fit Social in Mission Beach is set to become San Diego FC’s Soccer Celebration headquarters for the duration of the tournament, bringing nonstop World Cup energy to the coast. Dubbed San Diego’s fan central and ultimate soccer hangout, the venue will host free, all-ages live entertainment and live viewings for every match alongside oceanfront views. Fans can also score giveaways, exclusive merchandise, and game-day food and drink specials.
  • The Goal Post Garden in Mission Valley, located on the lawn outside the San Diego FC’s official team store, Eighteen Threads, and Novo Brazil Brewing Co., will be outfitted as a family-friendly fan zone with a soccer activity area for kids, photo ops and games. Novo Brazil will live stream every game and offer drink specials throughout the tournament.
  • LEGOLAND Resorts launched a limited-time FIFA World Cup 2026 Experience running June 11 – July 19, transforming the resort into a celebration of soccer fandom. Guests can build a dream soccer uniform in LEGO bricks, see LEGO FIFA Heroes including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Vini Jr., and test their skills in an interactive soccer challenge. The event also features newly released LEGO sets, including the LEGO Soccer Ball Set 43019 and LEGO FIFA World Cup Official Trophy Set 43020, available at the LEGOLAND LEGO Shop while supplies last.
  • Queenstown, a New Zealand–themed restaurant and bar with four locations across San Diego, serves as a home base for fans of the All Whites, New Zealand’s national men’s soccer team. In addition to showing matches at all four venues and offering drink specials — if the team wins, drinks are half-price all day.
  • Starting on June 11, Puesto invites soccer fans to root for their favorite team and enter for a chance to win a free taco through its Puesto Fútbol Championship promotion. Just fill out a form before kickoff and every time your selected team wins a game, you receive an email the next morning redeemable for a free taco that same day at all Puesto locations (Seaport Village, Mission Valley and La Jolla).
  • The rooftop at the Carté Hotel San Diego, set 16 floors above the city with sweeping views of Little Italy and downtown, will host FIFA watch parties throughout the tournament. Guests can watch matches on a large screen in an open-air setting with fire pits, and enjoy special game-day food and dessert menus.
  • The newly reopened Rooftop Cinema Club Little Italy is hosting World Cup watch parties at its outdoor cinema atop the fifth floor of the Porto Vista Hotel. Fans can cheer on the U.S. men’s national soccer team vs. Paraguay on Friday, June 12 at 6 p.m., and vs. Australia on Friday, June 19 at noon while enjoying cool breezes and views of planes landing at San Diego International Airport.
  • Situated in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, Barleymash is a premier sports viewing destination. The spacious venue has 36 TVs both indoors and outdoors, guaranteeing visibility of the game from any seat, and a menu of upscale comfort foods designed by Executive Chef and former “Chopped” champion Kevin Templeton.
  • Bluefoot Bar & Lounge in North Park was voted one of the Top 10 Soccer Bars in the Country by Men in Blazers and is a favorite for devout soccer fans. The bar has 11 TVs, a large patio and encourages guests to bring in food from neighboring restaurants and cafes. During the World Cup, it is partnering with Truly, Modelo and Michelob Ultra for daily drink specials and giveaways.
  • Shakespeare Pub & Grille has been open for nearly 40 years and is famous for its authentic British fish and chips, Tudor-style interior and soccer culture  — they have a dedicated page on their website for their football game schedule and fans will arrive as early as 4 a.m. on some mornings to watch European matches.
  • Princess Pub & Grille in Little Italy is another premier soccer bar in the city. The owners are from Liverpool, England, hence the pub is the local home for fans of Liverpool F.C. Guest will find a custom nitro tap for the perfect pour of Guinness, a menu of classic British fare and three spacious patios. 

 

ABOUT SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY

(SDTA) is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of more than 1,000 member organizations, businesses, local governments, and individuals seeking a better community through the visitor industry. SDTA members include tourism-related entities in such categories as lodging, dining, arts, attractions, shopping, and transportation, among others, as well as other companies indirectly involved in tourism. Visit sandiego.org to learn more.

The majority of funding received by the San Diego Tourism Authority is derived from San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds. Lodging business in the District raise these funds through self-assessments for the purpose of promoting tourism in the San Diego region.