LA REDS vows tight security for 2026 World Cup street cheering events in Koreatown.
The 2026 World Cup LA Korean Preparation Committee, known as LA REDS, which is organizing large-scale street cheering events in Los Angeles Koreatown during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said it will place top priority on public safety.
At a press conference held May 26 at Liberty Park in Koreatown, LA REDS officials said LAPD officers and LAFD firefighters will be stationed at the group cheering events. The committee also said it will deploy private security personnel to ensure there are no gaps in safety management.
LA REDS will host three street cheering events in Koreatown next month. The first event will be held at 7 p.m. on June 11 at Liberty Park for South Korea’s opening match against the Czech Republic. The second event will take place at 6 p.m. on June 18 at Seoul International Park for the match against Mexico. The third event will return to Liberty Park at 6 p.m. on June 24 for the match against South Africa. Pre-event programs will begin about five hours before each group cheering event.
Jeff Lee, secretary general of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, said LAPD and LAFD personnel were secured with support from Los Angeles City Councilmember Heather Hutt’s District 10 office. Lee added that LA REDS separately contracted a private security company.
LA REDS’ emphasis on safety appears to reflect concerns within the immigrant community over possible immigration enforcement during the World Cup period. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said ICE agents will not attend any cheering events.
“They will be in Inglewood,” Bass said, adding that they are expected to carry out routine security duties, such as checking individuals who may be on no-fly lists, rather than conducting immigration enforcement.
LA REDS said it aims to turn the street cheering events into a festival, not just a place to watch games. At each event, Red Devils T-shirts and cheering items will be distributed for free to the first 1,000 attendees. Raffles will also be held, with prizes including round-trip Korean Air tickets to South Korea. A separate senior zone will also be prepared for older participants.
