A sports lover's guide to Los Angeles

Richard Franks

With the FIFA World Cup 2026, the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games hitting Los Angeles in succession, you could say the City of Angels is in the midst of a moment.

Away from the big screen, Los Angeles^* is a sporting behemoth thanks to globally supported teams like Dodgers and Lakers to world-class surfing and futuristic match viewing. Thankfully, there's plenty to do in this city for sports lovers. Here's what to do when visiting.

Getting there: book your trip to Los Angeles with British Airways^*, which offers affordable deals on flights, city breaks and fly-drive escapes.

Tour SoFi Stadium & kick a field goal

Coming in at 3.1 million sqft and with a $5.5 billion construction bill, LA's SoFi Stadium is officially the NFL's largest and most expensive venue.

With such eye-watering figures, it's natural to want to visit, and it is worth a stroll around LA's Stadium District, not least for the peaceful 2.5-acre park, lake and native flora alone.

But, American football fans will definitely want to take a tour of the stadium to walk in the footsteps of some of the best players in the world; tours include tunnel, locker room and pitch access, and you'll even be able to kick a field goal in the host stadium of Super Bowl LXI.

SoFi's mammoth Infinity Screen also needs to be seen to be believed; some 70,000 sq ft of digital LED on a 360° dual-sided display hangs above the pitch to ensure no seat is a bad seat in the house.

The Infinity Screen is longer than the pitch itself and is, unsurprisingly, the largest digital videoboard ever created for sports.

Watch immersive sports at Cosm

Just a few blocks away from SoFi is Cosm. Take your seat immersed within this humongous, 87ft diameter wraparound dome where live sports are played out in 4K 'Shared Reality'.

Cosm's exclusive production rights on live matches from the Premier League, NFL, NBA and more, plus their camera angles filmed from spectators' seats, make sports fans feel right in the heart of the action here.

You could be in the stands at Anfield, courtside at Madison Square Garden or in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium, and all without leaving LA. Varying seating levels offer different viewing angles of the main event, while the main bar shows all the other live matches on its screens.

For a convenient night's rest, stay at The Anthem^*, in the Stadium District: its modern rooms and outdoor pool make for an ideal base close to SoFi and Cosm.

Go to the ball game

No trip to LA would be complete without going to the ball game, with the Dodgers being one of the most illustrated teams in baseball history.

The 56,000 capacity Dodger Stadium has been home for legends like Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson and Ray Campanella, who have donned the famous white and blue jersey, while current favourite Shohei Ohtani is one of the most successful players of the modern era.

Generally, match tickets aren't too difficult to come by and can be super cheap (circa $20) in the upper decks.

See the Lakers live & watch the GOAT

It's perhaps subjective to call LeBron James the greatest basketball player of all time, but seeing as he's now the NBA's all-time leading points scorer, it seems sensible.

At the Crypto.com Arena (formerly the Staples Center), you're spoiled for choice as both the Lakers and Kings men's basketball teams, women's basketball side the Sparks and ice hockey team the Clippers all call this place their home.

You'd be very unlucky to be visiting when a game of some sort isn't on, but it's worth checking out Star Plaza outside the venue where 14 statues of LA sporting greats stand proudly, including LeBron.

Catch (or watch) the surf in Malibu

This place is synonymous with global surf culture and is a favourite pastime of many west coasters; with 30 miles of coastline to play with, it's easy to see why.

Thanks to its windswept position below the Santa Ynez Mountains (and some huge underwater canyons), Malibu offers some of the best surf in all of California^*.

Experience is advised before surfing here, as it can rip, but Malibu Surf School offers private lessons for beginners in a safe environment. Alternatively, sit on the beach and watch to your heart's content, as you'll never know who might swing by. It is Los Angeles, after all.

View iconic cars

More than 300 vintage, rare and classic cars from film, TV and motorsports are on show at America's greatest automotive museum.

On a self-guided walk around at Petersen Automotive Museum's many nooks and crannies, you'll see everything from the original Batmobile and DeLorean to Formula 1 cars, monster trucks and super rare pre-war British vehicles like classic Rolls Royce and 1920s Austins.

Swing by Meyers Manx Cafe after for brunch in a diner inspired by the iconic 1960s dune buggy, and southern California beach life.

Tour the LA Memorial Coliseum

Built to honour LA's WW1 veterans, the LA Memorial Coliseum opened in 1923 and has been a stalwart in the city's sports history ever since; it even hosted the first Super Bowl.

It's currently the home of the USC Trojans soccer team, but if you're not in town when a game's on, then book a tour of this illustrious stadium to go behind the scenes and learn of its history.

Keep an eye out during the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, as it'll also be held here, making it the only stadium in the world to host the event three times.

Practice your skills at GAME ON!

Competitive? It's time to bring out your inner kid at California Science Center's GAME ON! exhibition. Here, the entire family can hone their swing, practice kicking, and even dive into a virtual pool to swim alongside an elite Para athlete.

If that wasn't enough, the kids will also learn important nutrition, health and wellness messages to take into their everyday lives or future sporting careers. Who said learning couldn't be fun?

Climate in Los Angeles

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	20	20	21	22	23	26	29	30	28	26	22	20
Hours of sunshine (daily)	7	8	9	10	9	10	12	11	9	8	7	7
Days with some rainfall	5	5	6	3	1	0	0	1	2	2	4	5

The above guide shows the climate in Los Angeles. Find out more about conditions across the state in our complete guide to the climate in California.

Ready to visit LA? Browse the latest offers on flights and holidays with British Airways.

More about California

California by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Richard Franks

Richard Franks is a freelance travel writer and journalist based in Birmingham, UK. Richard specialises in adventure travel, the great outdoors and music-based tourism across Scotland, the West Midlands and beyond. He writes for the likes of National Geographic Traveller, The Telegraph and The Times and he's also authored a guidebook.

Posted in: City Culture North America

Be inspired

Get your weekly fix of holiday inspiration from some of the world's best travel writers plus save on your next trip with the latest exclusive offers

We promise not to share your details

Back to Travel inspiration Top ^

California - quick facts
Flight time^✝	11 hours
Time difference	UK -8 hours
Language(s)	English
Currency	US Dollar
Electricity	A + B plug (120V)
Driving side	Right
Visa^✝	Yes

Latest British Airways offers
British Airways: Find best holiday deals	Deal
British Airways: Flight finder for 2026/2027	Deal
British Airways: Last minute flight & holiday offers	Deal
British Airways: Low holiday deposits from £60	Deal
British Airways: Latest deals on summer 2026	Deal
British Airways: Beach holiday deals for 2026/2027	Deal
British Airways: Handpicked offers on city breaks	Deal
British Airways: Current deals on winter 2026/2027	Deal
British Airways: Fly-drive holiday offers for 2026/2027	Deal
British Airways: Best deals on luxury holidays	Deal