For years, San Pedrans have watched the former Ports O’ Call site transform behind construction fencing.
Some have followed every update and eagerly anticipated each milestone. Others have driven by, wondering exactly what is taking shape down there. And for many, the memories of Ports O’ Call remain so strong that they’ve questioned whether anything new could ever live up to what came before.
After years of renderings, public meetings, debate, and construction, we’re finally approaching a moment when the community can see it firsthand.
The Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone at West Harbor will offer residents something they haven’t really been able to do until now: step behind the fence and experience a portion of the site firsthand. The World Cup may be the reason for the gathering, but for many Harbor Area folks, I suspect curiosity will be the real draw.
For the first time, visitors will be able to walk parts of the new waterfront destination, take in the harbor views, and get a sense of what is taking shape as additional restaurants, attractions, and public spaces open in the months ahead.
And there may be no more fitting occasion for this first look.
San Pedro has always been a gateway to the world. Generations of immigrants have arrived here seeking opportunity, bringing with them cultures, traditions, languages, and dreams that helped shape the community we know today. The Port of Los Angeles has connected us to the world for more than a century. This summer, it will serve as the backdrop for the world’s most popular sporting event.
There is something special about gathering along the main channel along the Los Angeles Waterfront to celebrate the world’s game. As fans from different backgrounds come together to cheer on their favorite teams, they’ll be doing so in a community that has long embraced diversity and international connections as part of its identity.
The setting itself couldn’t be more uniquely San Pedro. Warehouses shining a light on the past and the future home of the San Pedro amphitheater, promising an exciting future.
As fans gather along the waterfront, cargo ships will continue to move through the channel. Cruise ships will arrive and depart. Tugboats will guide vessels through the harbor. The daily rhythm of one of the world’s busiest ports will continue just beyond the festivities. The same waterfront that built San Pedro and helped fuel Southern California’s economy will provide the backdrop for a celebration that brings together people and cultures from around the globe.
Of course, soccer will be front and center.
The Fan Zone will feature live broadcasts of the semifinal matches, the third-place match, and the World Cup Final. But the experience is designed to be much more than simply watching a game on a giant screen. Interactive activities, youth soccer programming, arts and crafts, community organizations, live entertainment, food, and family-friendly attractions will give visitors plenty of reasons to spend the day exploring the waterfront.
Perhaps most importantly, the event will support the next generation of Harbor Area athletes. One dollar from each ticket sold will benefit local AYSO programs and youth soccer organizations, helping create opportunities for young players right here in our community.
West Harbor marks the next chapter in San Pedro’s long relationship with its waterfront.
The conversations about the project aren’t going to end after one weekend, nor should they. Some residents are excited about what’s taking shape. Others remain skeptical. Some still miss what was there before, while others are eager to embrace what comes next.
That’s what happens when people care deeply about their community.
For years, we’ve all wondered what was happening behind the fence. Now, San Pedrans finally have the chance to walk the site, experience it firsthand, and decide for themselves. Visit westharborla.com to get tickets. It will sell out.
Whether you’re coming for the soccer, the waterfront views, or simply to satisfy your curiosity, I hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity.
And who knows? Maybe Team USA will make a run all the way to the finals, and your first West Harbor memory will last a lifetime, being shared and retold for generations to come. spt
For more information and to purchase tickets to the Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone at West Harbor, visit westharborla.com.
Lee Williams is a local real estate expert, community advocate, and harbor commissioner at the Port of LA. He believes in smart growth and investing in community, culture, art, and history. He can be reached at lee@lamove.com.
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