Thursday, June 18, 2026

First World Cup Knockout Match at SoFi Falls on a Pasadena Sunday

[photo credit: SoFi Stadium]

Where Old Pasadena fans can watch Match 73, and how to get to Inglewood if they’re going

The FIFA World Cup 2026 enters new territory on Sunday, June 28. The tournament’s new Round of 32 — a knockout stage added to accommodate the expanded 48-team field — reaches SoFi Stadium in Inglewood for the first time, as Match 73 kicks off at 12 p.m.

For Pasadena and Altadena fans, this one belongs to the bars. The City of Pasadena’s only official World Cup watch party of the tournament took place June 12 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium Plaza for the U.S. opener against Paraguay. Nothing comparable is scheduled for Match 73, which means the principal local viewing venues are private. Visit Pasadena, the Pasadena Convention & Visitor Bureau, identifies several of them in its official World Cup guide.

The two named most prominently sit in Old Pasadena. Lucky Baldwin’s Pub, at 17 S. Raymond Ave., is described by the bureau’s guide as having “a proven track record of legendary World Cup watch parties.” The British-style pub, founded in 1996, lists more than 60 rotating beers on tap. A block away on Colorado Boulevard, Kings Row Gastropub at 20 E. Colorado Blvd. is identified as an official bar partner of the Los Angeles Football Club. Visit Pasadena’s guide says the venue “turns every match into a fan event with a fun, raucous crowd.”

The bureau’s guide also lists Barney’s Beanery, Rocco’s Tavern, Freddie’s 35er, Congregation Ale House, Hot Wings Cafe, and T. Boyle’s Tavern among Pasadena establishments suited to soccer viewing. Coverage of the tournament is broadcast nationally on FOX, Telemundo, and Universo.

For fans heading to the match itself, SoFi Stadium sits roughly 25 miles from Pasadena. Visit Pasadena’s guide outlines the transit route: take the Metro A Line to Union Station, then transfer to a direct-service bus to the stadium. Travel time, the guide says, runs approximately one hour and 20 minutes to one hour and 40 minutes. LA Metro is operating direct-service buses to the stadium on match days, with parking reservations available through Metro’s World Cup page.

Match 73 pairs the runner-up of Group A — Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, or Czechia — against the runner-up of Group B — Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, or Switzerland. Final placements will be set when Groups A and B finish play June 24. SoFi Stadium, officially referred to as “Los Angeles Stadium” during the tournament under FIFA’s branding policy, has a seating capacity of approximately 70,000.

“The Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and schedule release have officially set the stage for L.A.’s five group-stage matches,” Kathryn Schloessman, CEO of the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee, said in a SoFi Stadium release.

The winner of Match 73 advances to the Round of 16 on Saturday, July 4, at NRG Stadium in Houston, against the winner of Match 75. SoFi will host another Round of 32 match on July 2 and a quarterfinal on July 10.

At noon Sunday, the doors at Lucky Baldwin’s will be open. The taps will be flowing. And somewhere on the screens, two teams will be playing for their tournament lives, 25 miles south.

FIFA World Cup 2026 — Round of 32 (Match 73) | Sunday, June 28, 2026, 12:00 p.m. | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood First knockout-round match at SoFi. Pasadena bars including Lucky Baldwin’s Pub and Kings Row Gastropub typically host watch parties. 🔗 https://www.visitpasadena.com/pasadena-football-world-championship-guide/