Union to Rally Outside Rose Bowl Ahead of World Cup Site Visit

UNITE HERE Local 11 will rally outside the Rose Bowl to continue their call for FIFA leaders to select equitable and fair venues to host the World Cup in 2026.

FIFA Leadership is expected to visit the Rose Bowl soon and hospitality workers want to make sure basic labor standards are in place for any stadium to be considered as a World Cup venue.

The rally comes on the heels of a second letter hospitality workers sent to FIFA.

“As we explained in our October 12, 2001 letter to you, given FIFA’s commitment to human rights, FIFA should not consider the Rose Bowl as a possible World Cup venue until all of its workers have enforceable labor standards, a living wage, and affordable health insurance. I do not believe we have received a response from FIFA on this important issue.”

Two weeks ago, members and supporters of UNITE HERE, Local 11 held a rally outside the Rose Bowl.

Local 11 said in a statement at that time that event center jobs are among the lowest paid in the tourism industry, and claimed the Rose Bowl is one of the only event centers in the Los Angeles area where workers do not have livable wages, affordable healthcare, job security, and other rights guaranteed by a union contract.

The 2026 World Cup will take place in locations across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, according to the L.A. World Cup Host Committee.

Rose Bowl officials have taken part in virtual conferences with FIFA and U.S. Soccer to further their bid to bring the 2026 World Cup to Pasadena, the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee announced Tuesday.

The Rose Bowl, along with SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, discussed logistics related to potentially hosting World Cup games at their respective arenas in conferences led by the L.A. World Cup Host Committee, the committee said in a written statement.

Los Angeles is bidding for the opportunity to host multiple matches, a fan festival and other ancillary events,” the statement said. “The Host Committee is expecting FIFA to finalize the 16 host cities from the proposed slate of 23 candidates by the end of 2021.”