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SoFi Stadium workers have voted to authorize a strike just a week before hosting the US men’s national soccer team for the World Cup.
The UNITE HERE Local 11 union has been negotiating with Legends Global amid a deadlocked deal, and a major concern remains the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the stadium during World Cup games.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said this week that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security told him that federal authorities would be at the games to help with security, but not with civilian immigration enforcement.
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SOFI Stadium workers protest outside the FIFA World Cup 26 Los Angeles office, calling for ICE to be banned from the World Cup on May 1, 2026. Eight World Cup matches are scheduled for SOFI Stadium during the summer tournament. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
“All of that can change, but I trust them to give me the relevant information because if that starts to happen, we’re going to have a whole new set of problems,” he added.
“What good is the World Cup to Los Angeles when workers don’t make enough to pay the rent and have to choose between showing up and being kidnapped by ICE?” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11. “If we’re forced to strike, these $100,000 FIFA suites will have nothing but bottled water and Doritos.”
A press release Friday said, according to The Athletic, that negotiations are expected to continue Monday.
“Workers must have the right to walk off the job if federal immigration enforcement enters the stadium and creates a reasonable fear for their safety — no worker should have to choose between their job and their freedom,” the release said.
The union also wants “wages that reflect the true cost of living in Los Angeles, including premium pay for the World Cup and other mega-events, and payment to a housing fund to build housing for hospitality workers.”
Protesters hold “Kick ICE Out” signs on an inflatable rat outside SoFi Stadium during a demonstration against ICE at the FIFA World Cup 26 Los Angeles Office on May 1, 2026. Eight World Cup matches are scheduled at SoFi Stadium this summer. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
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Legends Global, which handles hospitality at SoFi, said the company has a longstanding relationship with the union and is committed to reaching an agreement through contract negotiations.
“We look forward to delivering an exceptional hospitality experience for fans at FIFA World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
The union issued a complaint to the California attorney general, stating that workers could be at risk of being targeted by ICE because of FIFA’s accreditation process.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons has said it would play a “key role” in to ensure safety during the tournamentsomething Luna confirmed.
Community groups in other World Cup host cities such as Atlanta and Miami have also called for a halt to US immigration enforcement during the games, fearing that arrests near stadiums and watch parties could dampen the celebrations.
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is one of 16 stadiums selected to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including 11 in the United States (Getty Images)
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SoFi Stadium hosts eight games.
