LOS ANGELES - Marylandian -- The L.A. Watts Summer Games (LAWSG), founded in 1968, reactivated in 2025, and rooted in South Los Angeles, announces "From Watts to the World Cup," a free public celebration honoring Pelé's global legacy and the enduring spirit of the Watts community.

The event will take place on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park, 905 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90059. Gates open at 8:30 a.m., and the main ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

The celebration will feature an Olympic Salute to Pelé, a Pelé Youth Coloring ArtFest, recognition of The Pioneers of Watts, and youth sports clinic demonstrations in partnership with Cal South TOPSoccer. The event is part of LAWSG's broader effort to connect South Los Angeles youth and families to the excitement and opportunity surrounding FIFA World Cup 2026.

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"Pelé didn't just play soccer - he gave the world a vision of what a kid from a forgotten neighborhood could become. That's the Watts story, too. We've always produced greatness. It's time the world sees it," said Khalifa Bey, executive director of the L.A. Watts Summer Games.

Founded in the aftermath of the 1965 Watts Rebellion, the LA Watts Summer Games were created to build bridges of understanding through athletic, artistic, and scholastic competition. Reactivated in 2025, the organization continues its mission of serving youth ages 8 to 18 through sports, mentorship, and community-based programming.

LAWSG welcomes media, community partners, sponsors, and civic organizations to join the "From Watts to the World Cup" movement.

Event Details
Event: "From Watts to the World Cup" - Olympic Salute to Pelé
Date: Friday, May 29, 2026
Time: Gates open at 8:30 a.m.; ceremony begins at 10:00 am and the event ends at 6:00 pm

Location: Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park, 905 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90059
Admission: Free and open to the public