Pop Stars Transform Los Angeles Stadium for 2026 World Cup Opening Ceremony
The 2026 World Cup U.S. opening ceremony last week converted Los Angeles Stadium into a concert venue. Artists including Katy Perry, LISA, Anitta, Rema, Tyla, and Future performed against a backdrop of an inflatable World Cup trophy. Dan + Shay and Purahei Soul delivered national anthem performances before the U.S. Men’s National Team secured an opening win against Paraguay.
The U.S. opening ceremony for the 2026 World Cup was held last week at Los Angeles Stadium, an unbranded name for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The event transformed the venue's soccer field into a performance space before the scheduled match.
Prior to the ceremony, the grass field was quickly covered by a massive sheet-like material, unfurled by a dedicated team. Small stages were then positioned at center field, atop this covering. A giant replica of the World Cup trophy was inflated on the main stage, creating a majestic backdrop for the musical acts that followed.
The concert portion of the ceremony featured a lineup of prominent pop stars, including Katy Perry, LISA, Anitta, Rema, Tyla, and Future. Additionally, national anthem performances were delivered by Dan + Shay and Purahei Soul. Following the ceremonial events, the U.S. Men’s National Team played against Paraguay on Friday night, ultimately securing an opening win.
This detailed account of the opening ceremony was reported on the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast. Podcast co-host Katie Atkinson was present inside the stadium for the event, attending through an invitation provided by Michelob ULTRA. (Source: Billboard)
