L.A. is hosting free World Cup watch parties at county and city parks. Heres where to find them

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The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and the City of Los Angeles are hosing free watch parties across the region for the World Cup.The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to start Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City and South Korea taking on Czechia in Guadalajara, Mexico.The tournament then heads north Friday, with Canada facing Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto before the United States opens Group D play against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

Here’s everything you need to know about the watch parties.The LA County Parks events will feature live match broadcasts on a giant LED screen, according to an LA County Parks news release.

There will also be activities for all ages, including youth soccer clinics, family-friendly games, refreshments, halftime snacks and inflatable attractions such as a giant soccer dart game.Meanwhile, “Kick It In the Park,” a partnership between the Office of Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles Council Districts, and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, will broadcast the games on large LED screens surrounded by youth soccer clinics, neighborhood programming and community resources.Between Friday and June 26, LA County Parks events will begin an hour before kickoff.The parties will be at the following LA County parks: LA City Parks will also have 19 park sites across the city, including: For more sites, visit the LA city website.

The city suggests participants bring blankets, chairs, snacks and reusable water bottle.Alcohol sale, possession and consumption is not permitted.The news releases don’t mention if there is a maximum capacity for the events.

For other free and ticketed watch party locations, click here.The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, which include arbitration and a class action w...