By Yash Roy and John Gittelsohn | Updated on Jun 09, 2026 at 07:47 PM
Workers at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles reached a tentative agreement with management, averting the threat of a strike days before hosting the US team’s first World Cup football match.
Members of Unite Here Local 11 had authorized the action after contract negotiations faltered with Legends Global, the subcontractor managing food and beverage services at the venue. The union represents about 2,000 food-service workers at SoFi, including bartenders, dishwashers, cooks and concession workers.
Details of the agreement, which was confirmed by union and management representatives, weren’t immediately available. The workers had been calling for higher wages and protections to keep their personal information from being shared with immigration authorities.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Unite Here Local 11 and look forward to delivering an outstanding hospitality experience for fans at the FIFA World Cup matches at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium),” according to a statement emailed by Legends Global.
The US men’s national team will play Paraguay in its first World Cup match on June 12, with tickets currently starting at $2,000. The next match in Los Angeles is scheduled for June 15, featuring Iran and New Zealand.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would assist with stadium security during World Cup matches.
“But in regards to civil immigration enforcement, they told us that specifically will not be occurring at any of the games.” Luna said at the press conference. “I have trust that they’re giving me the appropriate information because if that starts occurring, we’re going to have a whole new host of problems.”
The labor dispute unfolded against a backdrop of heightened tensions over immigration enforcement. President Donald Trump ordered federal troops to Los Angeles last June against the wishes of Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom to quell protests against raids by immigration agents.