Nearly 2,000 food and beverage workers at SoFi Stadium voted overwhelmingly on Friday to authorize a strike just a week before the venue hosts the first 2026 FIFA World Cup match on U.S. soil. The vote by Unite Here Local 11, representing cooks, dishwashers, concession workers, and bartenders, saw 96% in favor of strike authorization. Negotiations with Legends Global, the stadium’s food-service operator, are set to resume Monday, June 8.
Key demands include higher wages, protection against subcontracting, and job security amid automation. Workers also oppose the collection of sensitive personal information, such as nationality and home addresses, which FIFA requires for accreditation. Additionally, workers are demanding the right to walk off the job if federal immigration enforcement (ICE) enters the stadium, citing fears for their safety.
Legends Global has proposed wage increases and expressed confidence in reaching an agreement. The company stated it has a contingency plan to ensure operations continue without disruption. Meanwhile, workers and advocates marched to local FIFA offices, calling for ICE to be banned from SoFi Stadium during World Cup games. The Department of Homeland Security has stated that ICE agents will be present to target counterfeiters and traffickers, but workers remain skeptical.
SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host eight World Cup matches, including the U.S. men’s national team’s opening game against Paraguay on June 12.