The World Cup finally returns to Los Angeles
After hosting the most matches, including the semifinal and final, at the 1994 World Cup, Los Angeles will once again play a big role during the 2026 World Cup.
Good morning! Three markets, one inbox. The Stanley Cup Final is down to a best-of-three with Game 5 tonight in Raleigh and Game 6 in Las Vegas, the World Cup kicks off in Los Angeles on Friday, and Hawaii is saying goodbye to Aloha Stadium. Let’s get into it.
🚨 HEADLINES
🏒 All square in the Final. Vegas and Carolina are tied 2-2 with Game 5 tonight in Raleigh (5 p.m. PT, ABC). The Golden Knights are two wins from a second Cup.
⚽ The World Cup is here. The biggest tournament on earth opens today — and L.A. will host eight matches at SoFi. Our complete L.A. guide is your map.
🏀 Dodgers-fying the Lakers. With Mark Walter in control and Andrew Friedman’s fingerprints everywhere, the Lakers are borrowing the Dodgers’ front-office playbook this offseason.
🌺 Aloha means goodbye. One of Hawaii's most recognizable landmarks took its final bow this week as construction crews completed the last controlled collapse of Aloha Stadium on Tuesday
⚾ Vegas baseball, Vegas hoops. The A’s outslugged Milwaukee 7-5 at Las Vegas Ballpark, while A’ja Wilson and the Aces keep stacking up wins and records.
See what else is trending at The Sporting Tribune.
🏒 THE KNIGHTS CHASE ANOTHER STANLEY CUP
This Stanley Cup Final refuses to follow a script. The two teams have combined for 33 goals in four games — the most in a Final since 1981 — and every night has swung on a turn no one saw coming. Vegas keeps rallying; Carolina keeps answering. Mitch Marner already has a natural hat trick on this stage, and Brett Howden’s 14 playoff goals are a franchise record. Now it’s a best-of-three, and Game 5 is on the road.
GO DEEPER
› Steve Carp: the series that won’t follow any logic (The Sporting Tribune)
› The new problem Vegas has to solve (The Sporting Tribune)
› Game 5 lines, goalies & how to watch (Yahoo Sports)
TOGETHER WITH BETONLINE
⚽ THE WORLD CUP LANDS IN LOS ANGELES
After years of buildup, the wait is over. This is the biggest World Cup ever — 48 teams, 104 matches, three host countries — and Southern California sits near the center of it. SoFi Stadium will stage eight matches, and the fan zones, traffic, and tourism wave that come with them will reshape the city for a month.
The local read: Our complete travel guide to SoFi, the fan zones & getting around
Follow it live: Opening-day scores & updates
🏀 LAKERS BORROW DODGERS’ BLUEPRINT
The most consequential storyline of the L.A. offseason isn’t a player — it’s a front office. With Mark Walter’s ownership group now steering the Lakers and Dodgers-built executives shaping the basketball operation, the franchise is importing the same patient, resource-heavy model that turned the Dodgers into back-to-back champions. The same ownership world is even eyeing an NFL team.
› What the Lakers look like with Dodgers brains in the building (Yahoo Sports)
🌺 HAWAI’I CORNER
Our standing slot for the islands — every edition
Aloha Stadium has left the building. The final controlled collapse of Hawaii's iconic stadium marked the end of a 50-year run that included Rainbow Warriors football, Pro Bowls, concerts and countless island memories. The demolition clears the way for a new 31,000-seat stadium and entertainment district in Hālawa, with the replacement venue expected to open in 2029. For Hawaii sports fans, it's the end of an era — and the beginning of the state's next big chapter.
› Saying ‘Aloha’ to Aloha Stadium (The Sporting Tribune)
📺 WATCHLIST — THURSDAY, JUNE11
⚽ World Cup, Day 1: Mexico v. South Africa (12 p.m. PT, Fox) · South Korea v. Czechia (7 p.m. PT, FOX)
🏒 Stanley Cup Final, Game 5: Knights at Hurricanes (5 p.m. PT, ABC)
⚾ MLB: Dodgers at Pirates (3:30 p.m., Spectrum SportsNet)
🎟️ GOING TO A GAME TODAY?
Get-in prices across LA, Vegas & Honolulu — brought to you by TickPick.
3:30 p.m. - Dodgers at Pirates - $34
🌴 THREE-MARKET TRIVIA
Three of these venues are home to a Las Vegas team: T-Mobile Arena, Michelob Ultra Arena, Allegiant Stadium, Les Murakami Stadium. Which one is not in Las Vegas?
Answer at the bottom.
🎧 THE SPORTING TRIBUNE TODAY
Today’s episode breaks down the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final. Hear it on the radio across Southern California, Las Vegas & Hawaiʻi via Westwood One Sports.
› Listen to the latest episode
Trivia answer: Les Murakami Stadium — home of UH Rainbow Warrior baseball in Honolulu.
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