SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California is one of the most anticipated World Cup 2026 venues in the United States. It is hosting eight matches in total, including both of the USA’s home group stage games and a quarterfinal on July 10. If you are driving to any of those matches, there is one thing you need to understand before you leave: the roads around SoFi Stadium are among the most congested in the country, and they will be under extraordinary pressure on every single match day.

The stadium sits just three miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and is surrounded by three major freeways: I-405 to the west, I-105 to the south, and I-110 to the east. All three carry significant traffic even on ordinary days. On World Cup match days, that volume increases dramatically. Getting to SoFi Stadium on time requires planning your route, your arrival time, and your toll payment method well in advance.

This guide covers everything you need to know about driving to SoFi Stadium for a World Cup match: routes from major nearby cities, the toll roads and express lanes you will encounter, match day traffic realities, and a brief note on parking.

World Cup 2026 Match Schedule at SoFi Stadium

SoFi Stadium hosts eight matches: five in the group stage, two in the Round of 32, and one quarterfinal. During the tournament, the venue will be referred to as Los Angeles Stadium in all FIFA broadcasts, signage, and official communications. USA matches on June 12 and June 25 are the highest-demand fixtures and will see maximum traffic impact across the entire LA freeway network.

Note: Some kickoff times are subject to final confirmation by FIFA. The June 12 opener (USA vs. Paraguay) coincides with the U.S. national team’s first World Cup match on home soil, making it the single highest-demand sporting event in Los Angeles in recent memory. Plan travel time accordingly for this match above all others.

What Makes Driving to SoFi Stadium Different from Other Host Cities

SoFi Stadium sits in the middle of the worst traffic corridor in the United States. The I-405 near Inglewood consistently ranks among the most congested freeway segments in the country, even on days with no events. On a World Cup match day, particularly for USA games, the surrounding freeway network will reach capacity well before kickoff.

SoFi Stadium sits within a dense urban environment where multiple freeways, color-coded parking zones, and pedestrian-heavy streets all converge. Your parking zone assignment determines which specific freeway exit and surface street you should use. Arriving via the wrong exit can add significant time to your journey.

The key practical difference from other host cities: some express lanes near SoFi Stadium require a FasTrak transponder and will not accept plate-only billing. This is important for international visitors and rental car drivers to understand before they arrive.

Important note on California express lanes: Unlike some other states where you can simply pay-by-plate, California’s I-405, I-110, and I-10 express lanes require a transponder or a compatible toll app. Driving in an express lane without one is not billed automatically: it is a toll violation. The NextPass app covers California toll roads and express lanes, giving drivers a transponder-free way to use these lanes without setting up a separate FasTrak account. See our complete guide to paying tolls in the U.S. and Canada for full details.

How to Get to SoFi Stadium: Routes from Major Cities and Areas

The two key exits for SoFi Stadium are Century Boulevard and Prairie Avenue. Your best exit depends on your parking zone assignment. If you have pre-purchased parking, always follow the route instructions attached to your pass rather than defaulting to your GPS, which may route you into a congested or incorrect approach corridor.

GPS warning: Standard navigation apps may route you through surface streets in Inglewood on match days, particularly if the freeways are showing heavy delays. Avoid this. Surface streets through Inglewood will be extremely congested close to kickoff, and the stadium’s color-coded zone system means you must approach from specific directions. Century Boulevard and Prairie Avenue are the two fastest surface-level corridors on match days.

Route Details: Getting to SoFi Stadium

From Downtown Los Angeles (20 to 30 minutes in normal traffic)

The standard route from downtown is I-110 South to I-105 West, exiting at Prairie Avenue. This takes you directly into the eastern approach of the Hollywood Park campus. The I-110 Metro Express Lanes are available on this corridor and require a FasTrak transponder or the NextPass app.

Downtown LA is close to the stadium, but do not let the distance fool you: on a sold-out USA match day, this journey can easily take 60 to 90 minutes. Leave no later than two hours before kickoff, and ideally three hours early for the June 12 opener.

From Santa Monica and West LA (20 to 35 minutes in normal traffic)

Fans staying on the west side of LA have two main options: I-405 South toward Inglewood, exiting at Century Boulevard or Florence Avenue, or I-10 East briefly to I-405 South. The I-405 is the most direct approach from Santa Monica and runs directly past the stadium area, but it is also the single most congested approach corridor on match days.

If you are using the I-405 Express Lanes from the north (toward the stadium), note that a FasTrak transponder or a compatible toll app is required. Solo drivers without one will receive a toll violation, not an automatic plate bill.

From LAX Airport (10 to 15 minutes in normal traffic)

SoFi Stadium is one of the closest stadiums to a major airport of any World Cup venue. From LAX, take I-105 West and exit at Prairie Avenue. Under normal traffic this takes 10 to 15 minutes. The I-105 does not have express lane tolls, making this the most straightforward approach for international fans picking up a rental car at the airport.

That said, on match days the approach roads from LAX will be heavily used by both match traffic and regular airport traffic. Give yourself extra time even for this short journey, and make sure your toll payment method is set up before leaving the rental car facility, since connecting roads beyond the I-105 may include tolled express lanes depending on your parking zone.

From Hollywood and Burbank (35 to 50 minutes in normal traffic)

From Hollywood, the most common route is US-101 South to I-110 South, then I-105 West to Prairie Avenue. From Burbank, fans typically take I-5 South to US-101 South before joining the same corridor. The I-110 Metro Express Lanes are available for part of this journey and require a transponder or compatible app.

From Orange County (45 to 60 minutes in normal traffic)

Fans traveling from Anaheim, Irvine, or other Orange County locations have two main route options. The first is I-5 North to I-405 North, exiting at Century Boulevard. The second, for those coming from further east in the county, is SR-91 West to I-405 North. The SR-91 has managed express lanes that require a FasTrak transponder or compatible app, with dynamic pricing that can spike significantly during peak periods. On World Cup match days with concurrent NFL or NBA events in the LA area, allow 90 minutes or more.

From San Diego (2 to 2.5 hours in normal traffic)

From San Diego, take I-5 North all the way to the I-405 North interchange, then exit at Century Boulevard. This is a straightforward interstate journey, though the final 20 to 30 miles through the South Bay and into Inglewood will experience the same match day congestion as all other approaches. Consider departing three hours before kickoff to be safe.

From Las Vegas (4 to 4.5 hours in normal traffic)

The standard route from Las Vegas is I-15 South to the I-10 West interchange near San Bernardino, then I-10 West all the way into Los Angeles, connecting to I-405 South toward Inglewood. This corridor includes the I-10 Metro Express Lanes in San Bernardino County (FasTrak or compatible app required) and the I-405 express lanes near the stadium. World Cup weekend traffic from Las Vegas to Los Angeles will be heavier than usual on match days. Consider driving the night before for peak-demand fixtures.

Match Day Traffic: What to Expect at SoFi Stadium

SoFi Stadium has hosted the Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff Championship, and multiple major concerts. Each of those events generated significant traffic. The World Cup, particularly USA matches, will bring volumes that exceed most previous events at this venue. Here is what to plan for:

• Arrive at least two to three hours before kickoff. For USA vs. Paraguay on June 12 and USA vs. Turkey on June 25, add an extra 30 to 60 minutes on top of that. These matches will generate freeway congestion beginning four or more hours before kickoff.
• The I-405 will experience severe congestion in both directions starting three hours before every match. Fans approaching from the north (Santa Monica, West LA, Hollywood) will feel the impact first. Century Boulevard and the I-105 corridor are generally less congested than the I-405 approach on match days.
• Your parking zone determines your entry approach. SoFi Stadium operates a strict color-coded zone system where each zone has a specific entry street. You cannot drive from one zone to another once inside the campus. Know your zone and the correct entry street before you leave home.
• Post-match exits take significant time. Official lots closest to the stadium typically take 60 or more minutes to fully clear. Fans heading south toward the I-105 tend to exit faster than those heading north onto the I-405. Staying for post-match celebrations or waiting 30 to 45 minutes before attempting to exit is a reasonable strategy.
• For the Quarterfinal on July 10, traffic will extend further into the LA freeway network than for group stage matches. This match will likely be a sellout with international travel demand. Give yourself maximum buffer time.

A Brief Note on Public Transit

Unlike AT&T Stadium in Arlington, SoFi Stadium does have a public transit option. The Metro K Line (Crenshaw Line) stops at Westchester/Veterans Station, which is a short walk from the stadium’s south entrance. Fans arriving at LAX can take the free LAX shuttle to Aviation/LAX Station and board the K Line directly. The Metro C Line also connects at LAX/Metro Transit Center, with a shuttle service running to the stadium on event days.

For fans staying in central Los Angeles or near a Metro station, this is worth considering for high-demand fixtures where parking costs and freeway delays will be at their worst. However, for fans driving from outside the city or arriving by rental car, public transit involves a connection and is less practical as a primary plan. This guide focuses on driving as the primary mode, but for the USA opener especially, transit is worth researching as an alternative.

A Note on Parking

All SoFi Stadium parking for World Cup matches is pre-purchase only. There are no walk-up sales at the gate. Official FIFA parking through JustPark is expected to be priced in the range of $60 to $100 for adjacent lots on group stage match days, with prices rising significantly for the Quarterfinal. Secondary market listings for USA matches are already well above those figures.

• Book your parking pass in advance and confirm which color zone you are assigned. Your zone determines your entry street, your parking area, and your exit route.
• Follow the route instructions provided with your parking pass rather than your GPS, which may not account for match day closures and zone-specific access restrictions.
• If cost is a concern, remote lots with shuttle service are available through the stadium’s official Inglewood Park and Go program. Factor shuttle wait times into your overall journey plan.

Toll Road Tips for World Cup Drivers at SoFi Stadium

• Set up your toll payment before you travel to LA. California’s express lanes on I-405, I-110, and I-10 are not plate-billing roads: they require a transponder or a compatible toll app. Driving in an express lane without one is a violation, not just an unpaid toll.
• The NextPass app covers California’s toll roads and express lanes. Register your license plate before your first match day and the app handles payments automatically, without a physical FasTrak device.
• If you are using a rental car, check whether the company’s transponder package covers California express lanes, and whether it covers all the specific roads on your route. Daily rental transponder fees of $5 to $15 can add $70 to $210 over a multi-match trip.
• I-105 (Century Freeway) does not have express lane tolls and is a toll-free approach to the stadium from the east and from LAX. If you want to avoid tolls entirely on your approach, plan your route via I-105.
• If driving from Orange County via SR-91, the SR-91 Express Lanes use dynamic pricing that can reach several dollars per mile during peak event traffic. Set up your app before departure and be prepared for higher-than-normal rates on match days.
• For fans doing the California road trip and attending matches at both SoFi Stadium and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, NextPass covers the full corridor from Inglewood to the Bay Area, including I-405, I-5, and Bay Area express lanes, in a single app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there public transport to SoFi Stadium for the World Cup?

Yes, unlike some other World Cup host city stadiums. The Metro K Line (Crenshaw Line) stops at Westchester/Veterans Station, a short walk from the stadium’s south entrance. Fans arriving at LAX can take the free LAX shuttle to Aviation/LAX Station and board the K Line directly. However, for fans arriving by car or rental vehicle from outside central LA, driving remains the most practical option for most journeys.

What is the best exit to take off the freeway for SoFi Stadium?

The two primary exits are Century Boulevard (off I-405 or I-110) and Prairie Avenue (off I-105). Your best exit depends on your specific parking zone assignment. Always follow the route instructions included with your pre-purchased parking pass, as these are designed to direct you to the correct entry point for your zone. Arriving via the wrong approach can result in being turned away at the gate.

How early should I arrive at SoFi Stadium for a World Cup match?

For standard group stage matches, aim to arrive two to three hours before kickoff. For the USA vs. Paraguay opener on June 12 and USA vs. Turkey on June 25, plan for three to four hours before kickoff. The I-405 begins experiencing significant congestion three or more hours before major events at this stadium, and post-match exit times frequently exceed one hour. Parking lots open four to five hours before kickoff, so early arrival is rewarded.

Do I need a FasTrak transponder for the roads near SoFi Stadium?

You need a FasTrak transponder or a compatible toll app (NextPass) to use California’s express lanes, including the I-405, I-110, and I-10 managed lanes near the stadium. Unlike some U.S. toll roads that offer automatic plate billing, California’s express lanes issue violations to drivers without a valid transponder or registered toll account. The NextPass app covers California express lanes and acts as a transponder-free alternative for drivers and international visitors. Please note, NextPass does not cover rental cars in California. NextPass only covers personal cars.

How much does parking cost at SoFi Stadium for the World Cup?

Official FIFA parking through JustPark is expected to range from approximately $60 to $100 for adjacent lots on group stage match days, with higher prices for the Quarterfinal on July 10. All parking is pre-purchase only with no walk-up sales. Secondary market listings for USA match days are already well above official prices. Book early through FIFA’s official parking platform and confirm your zone assignment before match day.

Can I drive from LAX to SoFi Stadium on match day?

Yes, and it is one of the shortest stadium-to-airport drives of any World Cup venue at approximately three miles. Take I-105 West and exit at Prairie Avenue. Under normal conditions this takes 10 to 15 minutes. On match days, particularly for USA fixtures, add significant extra time and ensure your toll payment method is set up before leaving the rental car facility at LAX.

What is SoFi Stadium called during the World Cup?

SoFi Stadium is officially renamed Los Angeles Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup under FIFA’s sponsorship naming rules. All official FIFA communications, broadcasts, and stadium signage will use the name Los Angeles Stadium. When searching for match-day information, use both names to ensure you find all relevant content.