Inglewood is undergoing major redevelopment ahead of hosting 2026 World Cup matches and 2028 Olympic events, drawing mixed reactions from residents. Billions of dollars have been invested in stadiums, infrastructure, and entertainment development in the city of nearly 103,000 people.

SoFi Stadium, located in Inglewood, will host World Cup games in 2026, while Olympic events are scheduled for the city in 2028. The area already includes the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome as part of a growing sports and entertainment hub. A former strip mall across from the Kia Forum is being converted into additional parking.

Christian Martin, an Inglewood resident and business owner, supports the changes. “At the end of the day, there’s an old Inglewood, and there’s a New Inglewood,” Martin said. “I much rather pick this new Inglewood.” His family owns eight restaurants, a banquet hall, and a forthcoming Hollywood Park restaurant. They acquired Bruno’s Burgers in 2024 and retained its name and menu. Martin plans to fly international flags and translate menus for the World Cup, calling it “an opportunity to showcase our brand on an international stage.” He added, “Yes, we are very much invested in Inglewood. We’re certainly building, and we want to continue to build.”

Melisa Arnold, who has lived in Inglewood since 1985, also welcomed redevelopment but emphasized community benefits. “This is the city of the future,” she said. “Redevelopment is welcomed, if the revenues from these businesses are equitably distributed to the community.”

Other residents expressed skepticism. Tyler Fister, who has lived in Inglewood since 2013, criticized the pace and inclusivity of change. “There’s no way I’m affording the Olympics tickets, right? World Cup tickets? That’s not happening in a working-class city,” he said. Fister added, “We’re getting flown over, and we’re getting walked over,” and questioned whether the transformation truly benefits long-term residents. “I don’t think it’s a true renaissance. I think it’s a facade of one that is somewhat empty for the neighborhood,” he said. “You know, baby, this isn’t necessarily for us, right? This place may be your neighborhood, but it’s not for you.”

While Inglewood’s entertainment district expands, vacant storefronts remain along commercial corridors, and a public school on Kelso Street stands closed behind locked gates. Home values, property taxes, and rent are rising across the city. Research indicates that benefits of stadium-led redevelopment tend to concentrate around entertainment hubs, with less guaranteed improvement in broader neighborhoods.