Santa Monica celebrates successes and builds on World Cup momentum with more free watch parties

June 24, 2026 11:39 AM

Santa Monica, Calif. (June 24, 2026) - Santa Monica is celebrating two weeks of successful events and activations and gearing up for even more to come as both the U.S. and Mexico teams finish their final games in the Group Stage and head toward the Knockout Stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament.

EVENT SUCCESSES: Since the start of the tournament, Santa Monica:

• Hosted 20+ free and ticketed events with more than 100,000 attendees
• Noted an average 40 percent increase in foot traffic on Third Street Promenade
• Saw a 40 percent increase in parking revenues downtown and at the beach
• Provided 5,000+ rides for fans traveling to and from the games at Los Angeles Stadium via special direct Big Blue Bus service

"The World Cup is showing that Santa Monica knows how to bring people together. More than 100,000 fans from across LA County have packed our streets and turned the Promenade into one big celebration, and we are just getting started. Whether you are visiting us from LA County or across the globe, come grab a seat, cheer on your team, and be part of something special. This is Santa Monica at its best."

- Mayor Caroline Torosis

"The response from the Santa Monica community has been incredible. We're seeing soccer fans from around the world come together through our activations, creating memorable experiences and celebrating the sport that connects us all. Culto was founded to bring futbol culture closer to fans, and the enthusiasm we've experienced at Third Street Promenade has exceeded our expectations. We encourage everyone to stay connected through our social media channels as we continue rolling out new events, activations, and experiences throughout the summer."

- Andrea Martinez, Culto Futbol (1437 Third Street Promenade)

"Our first few weeks on the Promenade have been a great reminder of what makes the Santa Monica community so special. From our grand opening celebration to Block Fest and other community gatherings, the increased activity has created a vibrant atmosphere for local businesses, and our crew has enjoyed welcoming customers throughout it all. We're proud to be part of this community and look forward to continuing to serve our neighbors while supporting the energy and momentum happening across the Promenade."

- Dustin Fossum, Restaurant Leader at Raising Cane's (1401 Third Street Promenade)

UP NEXT: Locals and visitors can enjoy free screenings of all the games in the coming weeks.

WHAT: Enjoy a drink, grab a bite and watch all the World Cup matches with your peers with free watch parties throughout the tournament.

WHERE: Third Street Promenade (1300 block)

WHEN:

Wednesday, June 24
Noon - Canada v. Switzerland
3 p.m. - Scotland v. Brazil
6 p.m. - Mexico v. Czechia

Thursday, June 25
1 p.m. - Ecuador v. Germany
4 p.m. - Japan v. Sweden
7 p.m. - USA v. Türkiye

Friday, June 26
Noon - Norway v. France
5 p.m. - Uruguay v. Spain
8 p.m. - New Zealand v. Belgium

Saturday, June 27 | Golden Hour Event 2-10 p.m.
2 p.m. - Panama v. England
4:30 p.m. - Colombia v. Portugal
7 p.m. - Jordan v. Argentina

The Golden Hour Event will also feature pre- and post-match activities, including a stage on the 1400 block of the Promenade with sets by DJ Aye Jaye, DJ Freckles, DJ QwessCoast, and musical duo The PRVLG.

Tuesday, June 30
6 p.m. - Mexico v. TBD

Wednesday, July 1
5 p.m. - USA v. TBD

For more information on these and future events, visit santamonica.gov.

Media Contact

Lauren Howland
Communications and public information manager
[email protected]

Categories

Arts, Culture & Fun, Community Events