California is home to 24 major professional sports franchises, offering a wide range of experiences for fans. The state features iconic stadiums and hosts major events such as the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
In Los Angeles County, there are 11 professional teams across several sports. Baseball enthusiasts can attend games at Dodger Stadium or Angels Stadium in Anaheim. Basketball fans have options including the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Sparks, and Los Angeles Clippers at venues like Crypto.com Arena and Intuit Dome. Hockey is represented by the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena and Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Football games featuring the Rams and Chargers take place at SoFi Stadium, which will also serve as an Olympic venue in 2028. Soccer supporters can watch LAFC and Angel City FC at BMO Stadium or see the LA Galaxy play at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Unique experiences in Los Angeles include immersive game viewing at Cosm near SoFi Stadium, where visitors can watch sports on large 8K LED screens. Dodger Stadium offers an accredited botanical garden with guided tours available on select Fridays. Fans can also hike in Elysian Park before Dodgers games or participate in the annual Angels Stadium 5K race, which provides tickets to future Angels games with proceeds supporting community programs through the Angels Baseball Foundation.
San Diego’s sports scene centers around Major League Baseball’s Padres at Petco Park and San Diego FC of Major League Soccer at Snapdragon Stadium. Gallagher Square outside Petco Park offers amenities such as pickleball courts and hosts themed nights for fans.
The San Francisco Bay Area will host both the Super Bowl and international soccer matches in 2026. The region is home to teams like MLB’s Giants (Oracle Park), NBA’s Golden State Warriors (Chase Center), WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries (Chase Center), NFL’s San Francisco 49ers (Levi’s Stadium), and NHL’s San Jose Sharks (SAP Center). Fans can kayak on McCovey Cove during Giants games or ice skate outside Chase Center each December with rentals benefiting local foundations. Ferries provide direct access to Oracle Park from surrounding cities.
Sacramento features two professional teams: NBA’s Sacramento Kings (Golden 1 Center) and MLB’s Athletics playing temporarily at Sutter Health Park until 2027. The American River Bike Trail allows fans to cycle directly to Sutter Health Park, while Sacramento Light Rail offers a return option for cyclists after games. Visitors can explore Old Sacramento Waterfront before attending sporting events.
These offerings highlight California’s role as a prominent destination for sports tourism, providing diverse activities beyond traditional game attendance.
