SoFi Stadium workers vote to authorize strike days before 2026 World Cup kickoff 

Hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike just days before the opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the city, raising the prospect of disruption at one of the tournament’s flagship venues.

UNITE HERE Local 11, which represents about 2,000 food and beverage employees at the stadium, including bartenders, cooks, cashiers, and dishwashers—announced that 96% of members supported strike authorization. The vote gives union leaders the power to call a walkout if ongoing negotiations with hospitality contractor Legends Global fail to produce an agreement.

The dispute comes as Los Angeles prepares to host eight World Cup matches, including the U.S. Men’s National Team’s opening game against Paraguay on June 12, heightening concerns over staffing and service operations at the venue.

Union leaders have warned that a strike could severely affect premium hospitality services during the tournament. “If we’re forced to strike, those $100,000 FIFA suites will have nothing but bottled water and Doritos,” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11.

Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement have been ongoing since the previous contract expired last year, but union officials say talks have moved slowly. Workers are seeking higher wages aligned with the cost of living in Southern California, along with improved pay structures for major international events.

Beyond pay and scheduling concerns, the dispute has also been shaped by broader issues around subcontracting arrangements, workplace conditions, and data privacy. Workers have raised concerns about FIFA’s partnership with external hospitality provider On Location, alleging a lack of transparency over shift scheduling, tipping structures, and service charge distribution during the tournament period.

Several employees also say they remain uncertain about their working schedules for World Cup matches, adding to growing frustration within the workforce.

Immigration-related concerns have further intensified tensions. The union has expressed unease over the reported presence of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel at the stadium during the tournament, despite assurances from U.S. authorities that any federal agents would be limited to security-related support roles and not involved in civil immigration enforcement.

Union officials have demanded contractual protections allowing workers to refuse shifts if ICE presence creates safety concerns. Some employees, many of whom are on employment visas, have also raised fears about how personal data collected during FIFA accreditation checks could be handled.

In response, FIFA has stated that accreditation procedures are not equivalent to employment screening and that personal data collected for the tournament will be deleted afterward.

Legends Global has said it remains committed to reaching a fair agreement with the union, while FIFA has sought to distance itself from the dispute, describing it as a matter between the contractor and the union.

Both sides are expected to return to the bargaining table in the coming days. If no agreement is reached, the strike authorization raises the possibility of picket lines and disrupted concessions at SoFi Stadium during one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.