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SoFi Stadium workers vote to strike during World Cup over wages, ICE presence
🇲🇽 Mexico /Sports

SoFi Stadium workers vote to strike during World Cup over wages, ICE presence

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Workers at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium have authorized a strike during the 2026 World Cup over wage demands and the presence of ICE.
  • The union, Unite Here Local 11, represents about 2,000 food, beverage, and suite workers.
  • Negotiations with the stadium's operator are ongoing, with the first World Cup match in the U.S. scheduled for June 12.

Workers at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium have voted to authorize a strike during the 2026 World Cup, citing unresolved wage disputes and objections to the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the venue. The union representing approximately 2,000 food, beverage, and suite employees, Unite Here Local 11, announced that 96% of its members voted in favor of a potential work stoppage.

"This means that workers could walk off their jobs at any moment if their demands are not met," the union stated. Cooks, servers, cashiers, and dishwashers participated in the vote held between Thursday and Friday. The union is scheduled to continue negotiations with Legends Global, the stadium's food service operator, just days before the venue hosts its first World Cup match on June 12 between the United States and Paraguay.

This means that workers could walk off their jobs at any moment if their demands are not met.

— Unite Here Local 11The union representing stadium workers announced the results of the strike authorization vote.

SoFi Stadium, which cost over $5 billion to build and opened in 2020, is set to host eight World Cup games. Kurt Petersen, co-chair of the union, warned that if a strike occurs, "there will be nothing but bottled water and Doritos" in the stadium's luxury suites. Workers are also demanding assurances that they can refuse to work if ICE is present during World Cup matches. ICE has faced criticism from human rights organizations for its enforcement actions.

If we are forced to go on strike, there will be nothing but bottled water and Doritos in those $100,000 FIFA suites.

— Kurt PetersenKurt Petersen, co-chair of the union, described the potential impact of a strike on stadium services.

Concerns have also been raised about employees being required to provide personal information to FIFA for accreditation, fearing it could be shared with immigration agencies. "The World Cup will generate huge profits, but we are still fighting for the most basic respect and safety. We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I am ready," said César Zamora, a stadium waiter.

Despite the strike authorization, negotiations are ongoing. The stadium's operator has not yet publicly responded to the union's latest actions. The World Cup is expected to bring significant economic activity to Los Angeles, making a potential strike a major concern for organizers and attendees.

The World Cup will generate huge profits, but we are still fighting for the most basic respect and safety. We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I am ready.

— César ZamoraCésar Zamora, a waiter at the stadium, expressed his willingness to strike for better conditions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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