Global flavors, custom merch, and a surprise appearance from Marshawn Lynch made this FIFA World Cup 2026 kickoff event one for the books.
If you’ve been following all the World Cup 2026 energy taking over Los Angeles, you already know this city is having the summer of a lifetime. On Friday, June 12th 2026, that energy hit a whole new level — Lay’s rolled into LA with their bright yellow, literal Bandwagon to celebrate the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup 2026, and I was lucky enough to be there.
The Lay’s Bandwagon Has Arrived
Here’s the concept, and honestly? It’s genius. Lay’s is taking an actual, giant, unmissable yellow bandwagon on tour across the U.S. throughout the World Cup 2026, and Los Angeles was the very first stop. The timing could not have been better — this exclusive preview event took place at Peacock Place at L.A. LIVE, just hours before the United States Men’s National Team took on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in their opening match of the tournament. And in case you missed it… the USA WON. The energy in the city was already electric, and Lay’s made sure it started early.
Global Flavors, Custom Gear, and SO Much Fun
This wasn’t just a step-and-repeat photo moment — Lay’s went all out, and the entire setup felt like a genuine celebration of soccer, global culture, and fan pride. Here’s what was happening on-site:
Global Lay’s Tastings
One of my favorite parts was getting to sample Lay’s chips from around the world. As someone who considers herself a pretty serious chip connoisseur, the Kimchi flavor absolutely blew me away — savory, tangy, a little spicy, and completely unlike anything you’d find on a regular grocery store shelf in the U.S. Tasting flavors from different countries felt like such a fitting nod to the global spirit of the FIFA World Cup 2026, a tournament bringing fans from every corner of the globe to Los Angeles this summer.
Personalized Fan Gear & DJ Vibes
Next up: the merch. We got to customize our own jean jackets with all kinds of fun Lay’s patches, all while jamming out to a DJ who kept the energy high throughout the event. It made the whole thing feel like a genuine party rather than just a brand activation — the music, the crowd, and the buzz for the match later that evening all came together perfectly.
Marshawn Lynch Showed Up!
And then, the cherry on top: special guest Marshawn Lynch was on-site, taking photos and mingling with fans. If you know anything about Marshawn, you know he brings unmatched fun, charisma, and “Beast Mode” energy wherever he goes — and this event was no exception. Fans were thrilled, and the photo ops were everything.
A Perfect Kickoff to World Cup Season in LA
Between the global chip tastings, the custom merch, the music, and a surprise visit from an NFL legend, Lay’s absolutely nailed this FIFA World Cup 2026 kickoff event. It was the perfect way to build anticipation before USA vs. Paraguay — and an even better way to celebrate soccer, community, and global flavor all in one place.
If the Lay’s Bandwagon rolls into your city next, do not miss it. This is shaping up to be one of the most fun World Cup 2026 activations of the entire summer.
For more LA events, exclusive activations, and all things World Cup 2026, stay tuned to hoopLA — we’ll be covering it all summer long.
