Just days before the opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, approximately food and beverage workers at SoFi Stadium have ratified a historic new contract with Legends Hospitality by an overwhelming 99% vote. The contract will go into effect immediately.
The agreement covers over 2,000 cooks, bartenders, cashiers, dishwashers, suite attendants, and concessions workers, who will serve fans from around the world during the World Cup.
The new agreement secures substantial wage increases, unprecedented workplace protections, and groundbreaking language giving workers the right to strike if the activity of ICE or Border Control threatens worker safety during the World Cup.
NYT — The Athletic: SoFi Stadium workers given ‘Kick ICE Out’ buttons by union ahead of USMNT-Paraguay
“These workers are hospitality professionals. Their job is to welcome guests and provide world-class service to every fan who walks through the gates. But it’s hard to create a welcoming environment when workers and their communities are living in fear. They’re wearing this button because they want a World Cup that’s safe and welcoming for everyone at SoFi.
“No employer, no stadium operator, and not even FIFA gets to take away workers’ voices when it comes to the safety of their families and communities. And from what we’re hearing, fans love the message too. Some are even asking for the buttons.”
LEGAL AF: Labor SCORES MAJOR WIN Right Before WORLD CUP!!!
Check out the Legal AF podcast featuring our Co-President Kurt Petersen talking breaking down the amazing victory at SoFi Stadium!
Mother Jones: The World Cup’s First Score: Union 1, Owners O
In a 99-1 vote Wednesday night, food and beverage workers staffing Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium for the FIFA Men’s World Cup ratified an agreement that includes better wages and protections around immigration enforcement—a high-profile labor victory after months of dispute over poor pay and work without a contract amid huge employer revenues.
VICTORY AT SOFI STADIUM
Just days before the opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, approximately food and beverage workers at SoFi Stadium have ratified a historic new contract with Legends Hospitality by an overwhelming 99% vote. The contract will go into effect immediately.
SOFI STADIUM WORKERS RATIFY HISTORIC CONTRACT!
“This contract proves what workers can accomplish when we stand together,” said Susana Lahargue, a Stand Lead at SoFi Stadium. “We fought for fair wages, stronger job protections, and the right to protect ourselves and our families. As the world comes to Los Angeles for the World Cup, we are proud to welcome fans knowing that workers have secured a contract that respects our work and our dignity.”
BREAKING NEWS: DAYS BEFORE WORLD CUP, SOFI STADIUM WORKERS WIN HISTORIC CONTRACT — AND RESERVE THE RIGHT TO STRIKE IF ICE THREATENS SAFETY
Key Improvements:
Los Angeles Magazine: SoFi Stadium Workers Narrowly Avert Potential Strike Ahead of the World Cup
In an era where the Trump administration has launched the largest-ever effort to denaturalize U.S. citizens, giving out such sensitive information feels incredibly risky at a time like this, even though FIFA has claimed they needed the information as part of its background-check procedure.
“Workers have the contractual right to walk off the job if the union determines in good faith that federal immigration enforcement threatens worker safety during a World Cup match,” Local 11 posted on its social media accounts, following the back and forth between the two parties.
ESPN: SoFi Stadium workers’ union reaches deal to avoid strike during World Cup
“These workers are heroes. They stood up to FIFA. They stood up to ICE. They won a historic contract, and they are ready for whatever comes during the World Cup. If federal immigration agencies threaten workers’ safety, our members have the right to walk off the job. That is now in their contract,” (Local 11 co-president Kurt) Petersen told reporters.
LA TIMES: SoFi Stadium workers union announces labor deal, averting strike during World Cup
“We got major economic gains and significant protections around subcontracting automation,” Kurt Petersen, the union’s co-president, said. “I don’t know the soccer analogy, but it’s a grand slam of a contract.”
THE GUARDIAN: LA-area stadium workers to vote on strike a week before World Cup begins
“We know they’re going to make a lot of money during these events,” Yolanda Fierro, a suite runner and union member who voted to authorize the strike, told the Guardian. “So what we want is a thank-you – gratitude from the company, giving us a good, equitable contract for increasing our wages, so we can survive out here in California because it’s very expensive here in this state.”
WE ARE READY TO STRIKE AT SOFI STADIUM
NEWS NATION: SoFi Stadium workers vote on strike authorization before FIFA World Cup
BREAKING NEWS: SoFi Stadium Workers Vote 96% to Authorize Strike Days Before FIFA World Cup Inbox
Living wage: Pay that reflects the true cost of living in Los Angeles, including premium pay for World Cup and other mega-events, and payment to a housing fund to build housing for hospitality workers.
Limits on AI, technology, and subcontracting: Strong protections against the erosion of union jobs through unimpeded subcontracting and technology and automation
Contract negotiations with stadium food service operator Legends Global and FIFA have not had significant progress on key economic and workplace safety issues.
Cesar Zamora, Bartender, SoFi Stadium (5 years): “I’m a lifelong soccer fan, and it’s heartbreaking to see that just days before one of the biggest sporting events in the world, our employer is refusing to provide the wages, protections, and contract we need to support our families. The FIFA World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting for basic respect and security. We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I’m ready.”
Kurt Petersen, Co-President, UNITE HERE Local 11: “SoFi Stadium cooks, bartenders and dishwashers are the true heroes of this World Cup, standing up to FIFA’s greed while defending their community against ICE intimidation. What good is the World Cup for Los Angeles when workers don’t earn enough to pay the rent and must choose between showing up and being kidnapped by ICE? If we’re forced to strike, those $100,000 FIFA suites will have nothing but bottled water and Doritos.”
LA Times: SoFi Stadium workers to vote on whether to authorize a strike with World Cup looming
“The cooks, dishwashers, concession workers, bartenders and servers represented by Unite Here Local 11 have been working without a contract for a year and the union says negotiations with Legends Global, the stadium’s food-service operator, have stalled. Workers are demanding salary increases, protection against subcontracting and job loss through automation, and are protesting FIFA’s collection of sensitive private information such as nationality and home addresses.”
“If a strike is approved during the two-day vote, Kurt Petersen, co-president of the union, said the 70,000 fans arriving for the June 12 World Cup opener between the U.S. and Paraguay will be greeted by hundreds of picketing workers.”
New York Times: FIFA facing ‘significant’ World Cup problem as SoFi Stadium workers set for strike vote
“We felt the company (Legends) were not taking the concerns and demands seriously enough,” Petersen said. “At midday (Tuesday), the workers told the company that we intend to proceed with a strike vote. The vote is scheduled for next week over two days on Thursday and Friday.”