SoFi Stadium Workers Authorize Strike Before World Cup

Less than a week before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, approximately 2,000 hospitality workers have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, threatening to disrupt one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year. Members of UNITE HERE Local 11 voted 96% in favor of the strike authorization on June 5, giving union leaders the power to call a walkout at any moment if contract demands are not met, according to NPR.

The Dispute at a Glance

The workers — including cashiers, concession workers, bartenders, dishwashers, cooks, food attendants, and servers — have been employed without a contract for approximately one year. Their employer, Legends Global, the stadium’s food-service operator, has been in protracted negotiations with the union as the World Cup approaches. The U.S. men’s national team is scheduled to play its opening match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12, with the venue temporarily renamed “Los Angeles Stadium” under FIFA branding rules.

Key Demands: Wages, ICE Protections, and Job Security

The union’s demands span four main areas. First, workers are seeking substantial wage increases to more than $30 per hour, arguing that Legends Global’s most recent proposal — which included wage freezes for some suite attendants and bartenders and only 25-cent annual increases for cooks and dishwashers — is inadequate given the enormous revenues expected from the World Cup. Individual suite packages at SoFi are reportedly selling for more than $100,000, as reported by the Associated Press.

Second, a top concern is the potential presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at World Cup matches amid the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies. UNITE HERE Local 11 has demanded that FIFA require ICE and Border Patrol to play no role at the World Cup. Yolanda Fierro, a suites runner at SoFi Stadium and union member, told NPR: “No worker should have to fear being separated from their family or worry about dangerous ICE activity while simply doing their job.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has said the Department of Homeland Security assured him federal agents would be at matches for security purposes only, not for civil immigration enforcement — though he acknowledged that “any of that is subject to change.” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated in a Fox News interview that ICE would be present “not for immigration but for terrorist threats.”

Third, workers are demanding protections against subcontracting and automation, including artificial intelligence, that could erode union jobs. Fourth, the union has raised data privacy concerns over FIFA’s accreditation process, which requires workers to submit Social Security numbers, fingerprints, and other sensitive personal information. UNITE HERE Local 11 and the ACLU of Southern California have asked California Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate FIFA’s data-collection practices, arguing they may violate state privacy laws.

Negotiations Under Pressure

Negotiations between UNITE HERE Local 11, Legends Global, and FIFA are scheduled to resume on Monday, June 8 — just four days before the U.S. team’s opening match. Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, described the pace of talks as “glacial” in comments to the Associated Press. “What good is the World Cup for Los Angeles when workers don’t earn enough to pay the rent and must choose between showing up and being kidnapped by ICE?” Petersen said. “If we’re forced to strike, those $100,000 FIFA suites will have nothing but bottled water and Doritos.”

Cesar Zamora, a bartender at SoFi Stadium, expressed the frustration many workers feel. “The FIFA World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting for basic respect and security,” he said in a statement. “We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I’m ready.”

Legends Global, for its part, said in a statement that it looks “forward to delivering an outstanding hospitality experience for fans at the FIFA World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium.”

Broader Labor Unrest Across Host Cities

The SoFi Stadium dispute is part of a wider pattern of labor unrest at World Cup venues nationwide. UNITE HERE issued a nationwide warning on June 2 that labor disputes could affect multiple host cities, including Philadelphia, where hotel workers have expired contracts; Seattle, where hotel workers at Embassy Suites Pioneer Square are voting to strike; and Houston, where stadium hospitality workers are organizing potential actions. In New York City, a contract was successfully reached for 27,000 hotel workers in late May, averting a strike.

What’s at Stake

SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host eight World Cup matches in total, and the venue is also set to host the Super Bowl and the Olympics in coming years. The outcome of this labor dispute could set a precedent for worker negotiations at other major sporting events across the country.

With the World Cup opening ceremony — featuring Katy Perry and other artists — just days away, and the U.S. men’s national team preparing for its first match, the pressure on all parties to reach a deal is immense. Fans attending the June 12 match could face picket lines, reduced food and beverage service, and a tense atmosphere if no agreement is reached.

The Road Ahead

Monday’s negotiations represent a critical juncture. If a deal is not reached, workers could walk off the job at any moment, creating an unprecedented disruption for FIFA and the tournament’s U.S. debut. The union has made clear that it is prepared to strike, and the 96% vote in favor of authorization demonstrates strong solidarity among the workforce. All eyes will be on the bargaining table in Inglewood as the clock ticks down to kickoff.