As the FIFA World Cup enters its dramatic closing, thousands of fans flocked to Venice Beach, not simply to watch soccer, but to witness something many community leaders believe is far bigger than the tournament itself.
For three days, the Official Los Angeles World Cup Fan Zone transformed one of the world’s most iconic beachfront destinations into an international gathering place, where giant match broadcasts, live music, cultural performances, wellness experiences and local businesses combined to create an atmosphere organizers hope becomes a blueprint for Venice’s future during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The activation, assembled in just three months, welcomed more than 5,000 visitors each day, according to organizers, while introducing thousands of residents and international visitors to Washington Boulevard businesses that have spent recent years working to recover from declining tourism and the lasting impacts of the pandemic. “This was never just about soccer,” said event producer Jon Besant. “It’s about bringing the community together.”
Besant said attendance exceeded expectations as the weekend progressed. “It was great that we massively improved on yesterday with numbers,” he said. “We’ve had over 5,000 people both days, and we were expecting the same again tomorrow. Seeing partners like Metro, Councilmember Traci Park and so many community organizations here together has been incredible. Then Rio Ferdinand comes on stage and starts singing Sweet Caroline that doesn’t happen every day.”
The former England football legend’s surprise appearance underscored how Venice unexpectedly became one of Southern California’s most vibrant World Cup gathering places.
For Los Angeles officials, the Fan Zone represents exactly the type of community legacy they hope major sporting events can create.
“Mayor Bass understands that major events like the World Cup and the upcoming 2028 Games give us an opportunity to celebrate everything that is best about Los Angeles,” said Paul Krekorian, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Major Events. Krekorian noted that Mayor Karen Bass’ Kick It In The Park initiative has already produced more than 100 fan activations across Los Angeles, drawing more than 20,000 Angelenos together throughout the tournament.
“These events are about much more than sports,” he said. “They are about strengthening the connections and communities that make Los Angeles so extraordinary.”
Councilmember Traci Park, whose district includes Venice Beach, said the tournament has showcased Los Angeles to the world. “I wish we could bottle the magic this World Cup brought to Los Angeles,” Park said.
“From major activations like hosting USA Soccer House and this Official Fan Zone right here on our iconic Venice Beach, to impromptu parties in the streets across the city, we are witnessing global diplomacy and proving that Los Angeles belongs on the world stage.”
John Cohn, founder of Venice Soleil and one of the community leaders behind the activation, said the Fan Zone is about more than creating a successful World Cup watch party, it’s about demonstrating what Venice can become when businesses, nonprofits and civic leaders rally around a shared vision.
“This was an opportunity to bring the Venice community together,” Cohn said. “The goal wasn’t just to host an event, but to create something that helps reconnect people with Washington Boulevard and showcase everything Venice has to offer. If we can do that during the World Cup, imagine what’s possible as we prepare for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Few people have watched Venice’s economic highs and lows more closely than Suzanne Rijneveld, a longtime Venice resident, entrepreneur and member of the organizing team. “I’ve had a business here for about 20 years,” Rijneveld said. “I actually closed my store last year because we had such a lack of tourism.”
Watching thousands of visitors return to Venice this weekend, she said, offered something many local merchants have been waiting years to experience. “This has brought so many people and so much energy into Venice. It’s created a real buzz. Even though there are things we know we can improve, it’s a great runway for setting us up for success toward the Olympics,” she said.
That sentiment echoed throughout the Fan Zone. For Bernard Kida, co-founder of Revel Republic, the activation demonstrated what the neighborhood could become. “It’s a great new addition to the Venice community as this space has so much opportunity from community engagement to private events. People love being here. Venice has really entered a renaissance,” said Kida.
The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee sees Venice as an example of how the tournament is creating memorable experiences far beyond the stadium. “The FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals represent some of the most exciting moments of the tournament as teams compete for a coveted place in the semifinals,” said Kathryn Schloessman, president and CEO of the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee.
“We’re proud that fans can experience that excitement together in communities across Los Angeles, including at the Official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone at Venice Beach. We’re excited to see fans from around the world come together at this iconic location to celebrate the World Cup in Los Angeles.”
As president of the Venice Pier Association, Cohn said the success of the Fan Zone has reinforced what many local business owners have long believed that major public activations can become powerful economic engines for the neighborhood.
“This isn’t just about one weekend,” Cohn said. “It’s about creating a model for how Venice can activate public spaces, support small businesses and become a year-round destination where culture, community and commerce come together.”
For many visitors, that international atmosphere became the day’s defining memory.
“What a blessing to enjoy the Los Angeles community at Venice Beach, with the ocean, the sky, the sunset and soccer all at the same time, I have never experienced anything like this in my life. The environment is absolutely electric. You can feel the Los Angeles community together as one,” said Dion Mucciacito.
For Yuliana Basmajyan, it was her first time watching a FIFA match in a public viewing environment. “I’ve never watched FIFA soccer in this kind of atmosphere,” she said. “Being outdoors at Venice Beach and experiencing the culture of soccer in Los Angeles has been incredible, and getting to watch my favorite team, Argentina, made it even more special.”
Longtime soccer supporter Scott Bodie said the atmosphere reflected how much the sport has grown in Southern California. “I grew up in Orange County, and I never thought we’d see football celebrated like this in California — it’s about time, and bringing everyone together.”
For Bodie, the weekend carried a deeper sense of déjà vu. Having experienced the last FIFA World Cup surrounded by passionate fans in Buenos Aires, he said Venice Beach delivered something he never thought he’d witness at home.
“I was in Argentina for the last World Cup, and the atmosphere was unbelievable,” Bodie said. “Growing up in Orange County, I never thought we’d experience anything close to that here. Seeing thousands of people together in Venice celebrating football from around the world makes me incredibly proud. It feels like Los Angeles has finally arrived on the global football stage.”
The Fan Zone also showcased how global sporting events are increasingly becoming platforms for health, culture and community education. Among the partners was AI Wellness, whose Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Gideon Kwok, said the activation allowed the organization to introduce preventative wellness to thousands of visitors.
“Our goal is to bring wellness back to the public,” Kwok said. “Too often people are simply treating illness after it happens. We want people to understand they need to take their health into their own hands and focus on prevention.”
Through free wellness experiences, demonstrations and conversations, Kwok said the event created an opportunity to engage people who may never have otherwise explored proactive healthcare.
As the quarterfinals unfolded against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, many organizers were already looking beyond this tournament. The weekend served as a large-scale test of partnerships, operations, transportation, community programming and visitor experience ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when Venice is expected to once again welcome the world.
For a neighborhood that has weathered years of economic uncertainty, the Fan Zone offered far more than a place to watch soccer, but a powerful reminder of what is possible when government, local businesses, nonprofits, sponsors and community organizations unite around a shared vision.
As thousands of fans celebrated beneath the iconic Venice sign with the Pacific Ocean stretching behind them, one thing became unmistakably clear: The FIFA World Cup did more than bring the world to Venice Beach, it offered a compelling glimpse into the neighborhood’s next chapter.