In partnership with the Mexican Consul General and Los Angeles County, Mayor Karen Bass announced Tuesday that LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown will serve as Mexico’s hospitality house for the World Cup.
Casa Mexico will be open to the general public from June 11 through July 19 during the World Cup. For more than five weeks, the house will provide free programming, live broadcasts of matches featuring the Mexican national team and others, music, visual arts, cultural programming and special activations from Mexican states showcasing their culture, food and tourist attractions.
National hospitality houses are cultural stages hosted by participating countries during major sporting events. Such houses will also be set up for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games.
The venues are intended to be about more than just watch parties: They’re expected to showcase how different nations celebrate their athletes, share traditions and connect with the world. Similar sites were opened during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Casa Mexico will celebrate the passion of sport while honoring the vibrant traditions and creativity of Mexico, bringing people together in joy, pride and unity, and creating opportunities to strengthen those bonds,” Bass said during a Tuesday morning news conference.
“There is not a better place to bring people together than the birthplace of Los Angeles, honoring our past with pride while also looking ahead to the future — inspiring the next generation of athletes, supporting and economic boost that will continue to benefit Angelenos and uplifting the millions of Mexican-Americans that call L.A. home,” Bass continued.
Carlos González Gutiérrez, Consul General of Mexico in L.A., echoed Bass’ excitement. He described Casa Mexico as a gathering place to celebrate “the best of Mexico: our culture, our creativity and our passion for soccer.”
Leticia Rhi Buckley, CEO of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, said her organization was thrilled to welcome the house.
“Soccer is a universal language that brings people together across borders and generations, and this partnership reflects that spirit. LA Plaza stands at the heart of our city’s cultural story, making it a fitting place for a moment that unites us in both heritage and hope,” Buckley said.
City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, who represents downtown neighborhoods such as historic El Pueblo de Los Angeles, where LA Plaza is located, said the location was the ideal choice.
“El Pueblo is the beating heart of Los Angeles, a place built by immigrant communities and shaped by generations who have gathered here in moments of joy, struggle and pride,” Jurado said. “Hosting Casa Mexico at LA Plaza honors that legacy by celebrating our shared cultures, creating space for community, and ensuring this global moment supports the families, workers and small businesses that call El Pueblo home.”
Telemundo 52 KVEA is the official media partner for Casa México Los Angeles. Telemundo is the exclusive Spanish-language home of the World Cup, which is scheduled to begin June 11.
The tournament returns to U.S. soil after more than 30 years with an expanded format and multiple hosts. Eight World Cup matches will be played in the Los Angeles area.