Workers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, voted overwhelmingly on June 7 to authorize a strike, just five days before the stadium hosts its first 2026 World Cup match [1]. The union, Unite Here Local 11, which represents about 2,000 hospitality employees including food and beverage staff, secured 96% approval for the strike authorization [1].
The workers are demanding higher wages that reflect Los Angeles’ high cost of living and premium pay for mega-events like the World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympics [2, 3]. Yolanda Fierro, a union member, said, "We know they’re going to make a lot of money during these events... So what we want is a thank-you – gratitude from the company, giving us a good, equitable contract for increasing our wages, so we can survive out here in California because it’s very expensive here in this state" [2].
The union has also raised concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence during the tournament. Workers want assurances that ICE agents will not be allowed inside the stadium, and they demand the right to walk off the job if ICE presence causes "reasonable fear" for their safety [1, 3]. They fear that FIFA's accreditation process forces them to share sensitive personal data that could be passed to ICE or DHS [2, 1, 3].
Kurt Petersen, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, warned, "What good is the World Cup for Los Angeles when workers don’t earn enough to pay the rent and must choose between showing up and being kidnapped by ICE? If we’re forced to strike, those $100,000 FIFA suites will have nothing but bottled water and Doritos" [3]. Cesar Zamora, a stadium bartender, said, "The FIFA World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting for basic respect and security. We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I’m ready" [1].
Contract negotiations remain stalled between the union and Legends Global, the stadium’s hospitality operator [2, 1, 3]. New talks are scheduled to continue soon after the strike vote [1, 3].
The $5 billion SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 and will host eight World Cup matches starting June 12, including the USA vs Paraguay game [2, 1]. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will provide security at the matches but will not conduct civil immigration enforcement inside the stadium. He added, "Any of that is subject to change, but I have trust that they're giving me the appropriate information" [3].
Community groups in other U.S. World Cup host cities have also called for a halt to immigration enforcement near tournament events [3].
The first World Cup match at SoFi Stadium is scheduled for June 12, 2026. The next step is for union negotiators and Legends Global to resume contract talks following the strike authorization vote [1, 3].
