Copa Del Rave Expands for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Copa Del Rave, the DJ-driven charity soccer tournament that’s quietly become a cult fixture in Los Angeles since 2019, is stepping onto the biggest stage the sport has to offer.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicking off in June across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the tournament is expanding its footprint from daytime pitches to late-night dancefloors, locking in a World Cup residency at L.A. clubs Academy and Exchange L.A. built around live match screenings and full-throttle parties.

World Cup, Meet the Rave

Across the residency, each viewing event will mirror the day’s fixtures. The concept is simple and sharp: DJs, labels and party crews representing the nations on the pitch will take over the booth and the branding.

Claude VonStroke steps up for Team USA. For Mexico, Reggaeton Rave, Gasolina and Bolo’s Vibraza Records bring the heat. Blaq Pages and Afrobeats To The World carry the flag for the African diaspora. The sets aren’t just pregame warm-ups; the clubs will stay lit before kickoff and long after the final whistle, turning matchdays into full-day, full-night affairs.

Entry to the events is free with RSVP, with VIP tables on offer for those who want a more elevated spot to take in the action.

Rave Culture With a Purpose

Since launching in 2019, Copa Del Rave has raised more than $75,000 for a range of charities, using DJ culture and football fandom as twin engines for fundraising. This year’s edition locks in on Common Goal, the organization focused on expanding access for kids to play soccer around the world.

For co-founders Alastair Duncan and Jonathan McDonald, the World Cup residency is the natural next step for a project that’s always tried to sit at the intersection of sport, music and community. They describe Copa Del Rave as a “huge labor of love” and frame this World Cup run as a rare chance to spotlight global dance music and DJ culture while the world’s biggest sporting event unfolds in their own backyard.

They reserve particular praise for the DJs, partners and the team at Academy, who have helped turn the residency from idea into reality. The message from inside the camp is clear: expect a wild few weeks.

Stars Aligning Around 2026

Copa Del Rave isn’t the only outfit raising the entertainment stakes around this World Cup. Global icons Madonna, Shakira and BTS have been announced as headliners for the FIFA World Cup halftime show at MetLife Stadium on July 19, the first halftime show in World Cup history and a clear signal of how aggressively music is being woven into the tournament’s spectacle.

As the sport’s biggest names prepare to chase a trophy across North America, Los Angeles will be hosting its own version of the global game — where the soundtrack is loud, the dancefloor is packed, and every goal has a bassline.