SoFi Stadium workers issue stunning strike decision just days before World Cup

The union representing SoFi Stadium’s concession workers reached a tentative deal to avoid a strike just days before the World Cup kicks off.

Unite Here Local 11 — which represents the stadium‘s nearly 2,000 cooks, dishwashers, concession workers, bartenders and servers — announced it agreed on a deal with Legends Hospitality Tuesday morning.

After making a series of demands, the union said Tuesday that “we won every major issue we brought to the table.”

The agreement came only three days before the US is scheduled to play Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.

“We are proud to say that we won every major issue we brought to the table. And even more, we preserved the right to strike over safety,” UNITE HERE Local 11 wrote on X.

The breakthrough followed weeks of tense negotiations between the union and Legends Hospitality, the stadium’s food-service operator, as both sides worked to avoid a labor disruption ahead of one of the world’s largest sporting events. Workers had been operating without a new contract for about a year.

The dispute escalated last week when 96% of union members voted to authorize a strike, giving labor leaders the power to call a walkout if negotiations failed to produce an agreement.

Union officials had been pushing for higher wages, protections against subcontracting and automation, and stronger workplace safeguards for employees working during the World Cup.

SoFi Stadium, which FIFA refers to as Los Angeles Stadium during the tournament, is scheduled to host eight matches during the World Cup’s group and knockout rounds.

The possibility of a strike had raised concerns that fans could encounter longer concession lines, fewer food and beverage options and other service disruptions as tens of thousands of spectators arrive for matches. Some industry observers warned that even modest staffing shortages could create operational headaches during peak attendance periods.

A major sticking point in negotiations involved FIFA’s accreditation requirements for workers assigned to tournament events. Union leaders argued employees were being asked to submit personal information despite already providing documentation when they were originally hired.

The union strongly criticized the collection of sensitive information as part of the credentialing process and sought assurances that workers would be protected from potential immigration enforcement activity connected to World Cup operations.

Labor leaders said many workers were concerned about providing personal information, including data required for accreditation, amid heightened fears surrounding immigration enforcement.

As part of the tentative agreement, the union said workers will have the contractual right to leave the job if union officials determine in good faith that federal immigration enforcement activity poses a safety threat during a World Cup match.

FIFA has previously said the credentialing process is intended to enhance security and protect workers, vendors, volunteers, journalists and spectators, adding that personal information collected through the process would be handled in accordance with privacy and data-protection laws.

Legends Hospitality welcomed the agreement, saying it looked forward to delivering an outstanding hospitality experience for fans attending World Cup matches at the venue.

The tentative contract is expected to be presented to union members for ratification.

If approved, it would bring an end to a labor dispute that had threatened to overshadow the opening days of the World Cup in Los Angeles.

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