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Beach Streets Returns to Downtown Long Beach to Celebrate Global Soccer on July 19

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Above: Crowds gather in Downtown Long Beach to watch a global soccer match between the United States and Paraguay on June 12, 2026; Cyclists and pedestrians participate in Beach Streets along Pine Avenue in Downtown Long Beach on May 20, 2023.

Long Beach, CA – Beach Streets is set to return to the Downtown Long Beach area on Sunday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted by the City of Long Beach and presented by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Beach Streets embraces the active commuting lifestyle by opening streets and transforming them into safe, open areas for people to bike, walk and explore their neighborhood. This year's event, which is sponsored by the Port of Long Beach, will also serve as the culmination of the City's Soccer in the LBC effors, offering residents the opportunity to celebrate the global soccer tournament with family-friendly soccer activities and big-screen watch parties of the tournament's final match.

"This summer, Long Beach has turned the global tournament into a citywide celebration, bringing neighbors together through Soccer in the LBC in every corner of our community," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Beach Streets is the grand finale, bringing together two things Long Beach loves: soccer and active transportation. As we watch the tournament's final match, we're celebrating our community in a way only Long Beach can, creating an unforgettable celebration that showcases the very best of our city."

Beach Streets promotes sustainable transportation, supports local businesses and allows its thousands of annual participants to get to know their neighbors in a comfortable, family-oriented environment. By bringing together different roadway users, Beach Streets also promotes commuting safety and supports the City's climate goals by encouraging zero-emission transportation options.

This year's event will feature the longest Beach Streets event route yet. Spanning Downtown and area neighborhoods, the route will include Pine Avenue from 1st Street to 9th Street, Broadway from Pine Avenue to Redondo Avenue, Cherry Avenue from Broadway to 4th Street, and 4th Street from Cherry Avenue to Junipero Avenue. Entertainment hubs along the route will feature a wide variety of entertainment, family-friendly activities, food and more.

A welcome ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the main stage of the Kickin' It Hub located at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.). The ceremony will include remarks by Mayor Rex Richardson, First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen and representatives from Metro, Port of Long Beach and other City leaders.

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"We are proud to bring Beach Streets back to Downtown Long Beach this year," said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. "The tournament final will bring extra thrill to what is already one of our most beloved annual events, and we invite everyone to come out and experience this global moment with us."

"Long Beach set out this summer to make sure every resident had a chance to experience the excitement of the global tournament," said Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen. "And now we'll close it out the Long Beach way: with our streets open, community together and the tournament final playing on a big screen at our beloved Bixby Park."

Among many other activities fit for the whole family, this year's event will include the following highlights:
  • The Kickin' It Hub at Bixby Park will feature a big-screen watch party of the tournament final, as well as other soccer activities; a Kids' Zone, sponsored in part by Long Beach Airport, with soccer-themed inflatables, free face painting and more; food trucks and a beer garden; DJ performances before and after the match; and more.
  • In partnership with Downtown Long Beach Alliance, a variety of entertainment will be featured at the North Pine Hub at 7th Street and Pine Avenue and at the East Village Hub on Broadway between Long Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue.
  • In partnership with Fourth Street Business Improvement Association, the Fourth Street Hub will feature a free big-screen viewing of the tournament final at the Art Theatre, as well as live music, activities for kids, a free bike valet and more.
  • DJ performances at various locations along the route.
  • Downtown Entertainment Zone (EZ) Sip location, hosted by Downtown Long Beach Alliance on The Promenade between 3rd Street and Broadway, where attendees can purchase beverages at local businesses and enjoy them within the zone.

Local businesses, business districts and community groups along the route will also host a variety of entertainment, activities, information booths and more to attract foot traffic and promote their businesses. Businesses along the route interested in participating should fill out the participation form by Friday, July 10, 2026.

"Metro is proud to be a presenting partner of Beach Streets: Kickin' It, a free, family-friendly celebration inspired by this year's global soccer events," said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. "We encourage attendees to take transit and make Metro part of the experience, with exclusive surprises and special activities planned for riders at the 1st Street A Line Station."

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"Ports connect the world through trade and commerce," said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. "The Port of Long Beach is proud to support this event that brings nations together and activates our City's public spaces in celebration of one of the biggest sporting events in the world."

Beach Streets is an open streets event that began in 2015. Previous Beach Streets events have occurred in Uptown, Downtown, Uptown and Bixby Knolls, Cambodia Town and Zaferia, Willmore and Wrigley, East Long Beach near California State University, Long Beach, and West Long Beach. Open Street events are popular throughout North America, as they promote the pursuit of innovative strategies to achieve environmental, social, economic and public health goals.

Soccer in the LBC is a free series of locally driven activations and community-focused soccer programming in neighborhoods across Long Beach throughout the global tournament. These efforts launched in partnership with Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy and Downtown Long Beach Alliance on June 11 with the LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration, a series of events in Downtown Long Beach that feature live FIFA World Cup 26™ match viewings, Galaxy player and alumni appearances, youth soccer clinics, fan areas and more. The City also recently announced Matches in the Park, a series of local soccer activations and match viewings at various parks throughout Long Beach during the knockout stage of the tournament.

More information about Beach Streets will continue to be shared over the coming weeks. To stay updated, visit beachstreets.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on X and Instagram @BeachStreetsLB.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

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