enjoy

Tickets to watch the U.S. dominate Paraguay 4-1 on Friday night at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium cost a fortune. But roughly nine miles north, fans such as Jose Santiago and Ivan Gonzalez enjoyed the match at a fraction of the price.

The pair each paid $10 for a ticket to watch the Stars and Stripes flourish in their first World Cup game on home soil in 32 years on big screens at the packed Coliseum on Day 2 of the Los Angeles FIFA Fan Festival.

“We bought these tickets [at the] last minute, not knowing what to expect,” said Santiago, of Fullerton. “And so far, we’ve been blown away. We definitely want to come back.”

“It’s dope,” added Gonzalez, of Yorba Linda. “You feel it. You feel the game. You feel the atmosphere. It’s fun. Everyone’s into it right now.”

Food and drink options. Pop-up tents featuring brands such as Galaxy and LAFC. A rare on-field experience at the home of USC football. And, of course, some good ‘ol collective effervescence.

“It makes you still feel like you’re a part of it,” Santiago said of his viewing experience. “It still makes you feel like you’re at the stadium, because we’re all watching the game.”

The U.S. took care of business in its World Cup opener. Presumably, those who could afford the intimidating ticket and parking prices at SoFi Stadium considered the experience worthwhile.

Santiago and Gonzalez, however, spoke for many who cherished their inexpensive night at the Coliseum, in the City of Angels itself, during their nation’s statement victory.

Fans cheer during a watch party at the Coliseum during the U.S. win over Paraguay Friday night.

(Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Several other attendees would agree — even those who aren’t backing the U.S.

Take Charlotte Cabeca, a 37-year-old from downtown L.A., is primarily rooting for Colombia — as well as “anybody from South America” — but was still grateful for the opportunity to watch the beautiful game with other fans at a bargain.

“It’s so fun,” Cabeca said with a laugh, as “USA” chants rang in the background. “It’s a really kid-friendly and family-oriented [environment.] It’s not as hectic as I had anticipated.”

Cabeca said she’ll attend more fan events in L.A. throughout the tournament, as Friday marked “the closest we can get [and] that we can afford” compared to actually attending a World Cup match.

U.S. fans celebrate during a watch party at the Coliseum as Americans beat Paraguay during the World Cup Friday.

(Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Perhaps more important, though, Cabeca appreciates the community engagement unfolding before her eyes.

“I love that the city is coming together,” Cabeca said. “I feel the unity. And even these fanfests, they bring us together. So even if we’re not at the game, it still brings all of us together as a country.

“It’s awesome. The traffic is not helpful, but other than that, it’s exciting. I really feel like everybody is for soccer right now, and that’s what we need right now to heal and be happy together.”

While Friday was a night of smiles, chants and relative affordability, there remain fans who wish FIFA and the U.S. would do more to make the World Cup more accessible, particularly by making everything, well, cheaper.

“Obviously, football is a very hard sport to monetize, because we don’t have the breaks like the NFL,” Kunal Mehrotra, a 25-year-old soccer fan from Koreatown, prefaced before saying, “Without the fans, it isn’t really a World Cup. So, it is disappointing from the U.S., and it’s not just the tickets. … It really shows that the U.S. is in it for the money and not at all for the football, which is disappointing.”

“It’s pretty ridiculous,” added Monica Unzueta, a Maywood resident and fan of Mexico and Spain. “But aye, at least FIFA’s holding some events. I mean, they should be free. But, I don’t know — that’s just FIFA.”

While they’d rather attend a World Cup game live, as Mehrotra and Unzueta noted, that isn’t realistic for most residents.

So, nights such as Friday at the Coliseum are the next-best thing.

A fan wears an American flag during a World Cup watch party at the Coliseum on Friday.

(Mario Tama / Getty Images)

And for fans such as Tyler David, a 24-year-old from Tampa, Fla., the trip to the home of the Trojans couldn’t have gone better.

“Beyond belief,” David said. “And it’s so cool to see everybody and the cultures colliding. Love it.”

Oh, and the USA’s big victory was splendid for fans too.

“Dude, absolutely magnificent,” David said, in disbelief of the U.S. leading 3-0 after 45 minutes against Paraguay. “Christian Pulisic, [coach Mauricio] Pochettino, all the guys, [Timothy] Weah. They’re playing at the top of the charts right now. I love to see it on the home soil in L.A.

“It’s getting me fired up; the fan base, the environment, the atmosphere — through the freaking roof.”

Walt Disney World has a reputation for being for older kids if you want to get the most out of the parks – but it turns out there’s a whole other side to Mickey Mouse’s Florida home

Walt Disney World needs no introduction; it’s already on most UK families’ wishlists. However, with the travel and costs involved, it’s got a reputation for being a destination to visit ‘when the kids are older’. There are obvious reasons for this, but what about someone impatient like me who wanted to share that Disney magic as soon as my toddler could say, ‘Mickey Mouse’?

Well, I decided to brave a 10-hour flight to Orlando with a two-year-old, and find out what you can do with a toddler – and whether it’s actually enjoyable for parents too. (In the meantime, ignoring everyone’s warnings that it wouldn’t be as magical because he was too young).

I’m not going to lie and say it was all pixie dust and rainbows – any trip with a toddler is a challenge – but I was genuinely taken aback at just how much fun we all had.

Here’s everything I learned about doing Walt Disney World with a toddler (including the mistakes I made so you don’t have to)…

The rides you can do with a toddler

There was an impressive amount to do with our toddler – a load of rides don’t have height restrictions.

In Magic Kingdom we rode the likes of Peter Pan’s Flight, It’s A Small World, Aladdin’s Flying Carpets. Jungle Cruise is also great for sitting in the shade and spotting ‘animals’! Our toddler isn’t familiar with all of the Disney films yet, but he had the best time with all of the stimulation, music and colours. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has had a revamp and is a lot of fun for adults as it’s interactive and competitive, while the noise and colours were an easy attraction for our little space ranger.

Over in EPCOT, the Remy’s Ratatouille ride and Frozen Ever After were two easy options with a toddler, and there’s an interactive space after the ‘Journey Into the Imagination’ where kids can run free. The Butterfly Garden is also a quiet space that proved a big hit. However, the highlight had to be the walk-through ‘Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana’. It’s all water play and a nice place to cool off in the Florida heat.

Meanwhile, Animal Kingdom with its Kilimanjaro Safaris jeep ride, walking trails and the gentle Avatar Na’vi River Journey boat ride made for a laidback day. Our little boy was obsessed with looking out for animals, and taking in all of the flowers and plants. Oh, and Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station is a fun interactive option for fans of the Heelers!

As for Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Its reputation for being the park full of thrill rides made me a little hesitant, but it’s actually got plenty for little ones too. The Toy Story themed land for a start is a dream; Toy Story Mania and the Alien Swirling Saucers were both immensely fun for both mum and baby! The park also has a new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show which involved plenty of dancing, bubbles and character appearances.

However, take note that you can’t take prams into the queues. So either be prepared to take a baby carrier/toddler carrier, or have a bag crammed with snacks and toys to keep them entertained. My advice is to pick one or two ‘big’ rides you’re willing to queue for – or look at investing in Lightning Lanes (aka fast passes) to make your day as easy as possible.

Best Walt Disney World theme park for toddlers

While Magic Kingdom is the go-to classic as it has some of the iconic rides, parades and Cinderella Castle, for me it was actually EPCOT and Animal Kingdom that came out as my favourites with a two-year old.

EPCOT is made up of different pavilions inspired by countries around the world, which meant that when the toddler was napping, I could still walk around and soak up the atmosphere, try snacks and have a cheeky avocado margarita, so I didn’t feel like I was ‘missing out’ on loads of big rides.

Meanwhile Animal Kingdom hasn’t got too many big rides because of the animals onsite, so again it had a very laidback vibe. A big plus for me were some of the walk-through attractions such as Maharajah Jungle Trek which were pram-friendly, and a little quieter meaning our toddler wasn’t too overstimulated, but there was plenty to still keep him entertained.

Logistics – prams, naps and snacks

Disney is unsurprisingly very pram-friendly. There’s the monorail and plenty of walkable paths if you need them, while the Disney buses allow prams which are folded down. You can also get Lyfts around the resort – or for something a bit more magical, you can use the app to book a ‘Minnie Van’, where drivers always carry at least two car seats, and have screens with cartoons for the kids.

As for food, the good news is that you can bring your own snacks and drink into the parks. Still, we never struggled to find something for our two-year-old to eat. Every stall has kids’ menus and options, and all the restaurants had high chairs, baby-friendly dishes and off-menu options like a mashed potato side for fussy eaters.

If you’re in need of cow’s milk, you can buy cartons or pints of it in the coffee shops – we ran out one evening and staff were happy to give us a large glass of milk so we could fill up our toddler’s bottle to stretch out the evening a little longer!

Then of course, the big one; naps. Our toddler can nap in the pram so on some days we just used that downtime to wander around, hunt down some of those must-try snacks, or do some walk-through attractions we probably would have ignored in those pre-toddler years. It meant our days were a bit more chilled too. On some days, we opted to head back to our resort for a couple of hours and recharge while he slept – those days where when we were able to stretch to a longer evening and even make it to a dinner or two!

Extra tips

Manage your expectations: you’re likely going to miss out on evening shows and fireworks, unless you get lucky with a sleeping baby who doesn’t get woken up by loud noises. However, make the most of the day magic; the parades and shows are brilliant, and you still feel like you’re getting the ‘full’ Disney experience.

Don’t stress yourself out trying to fit in loads of ‘fun’. The Disney parks have heaps to do that aren’t rides and attractions. Think butterfly gardens, golden statues of characters, live music, themed trails and plenty going on. It’s all quality time to your little one, so enjoy it together.

Time zones; it was surprisingly easy to adjust when out in Florida because you’re doing so much, your kids are kept busy and stimulated, and our toddler crashed out easily most nights. It’s the return home that’s a bit trickier!

Book the holiday

Stay two weeks on a Hotel and Ticket package at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort for 2 adults & 2 kids, arriving August 15, 2027, from £3,923 (total). Includes Free Disney Dining and Drinks on selected meals if booked before November 4, 2026. Find out more at disneypackages.co.uk. Virgin Atlantic offers direct flights from the UK to Orlando. Find out more at virginatlantic.com.

This is the fourth year of the LA Card Show, and my, how it has grown.

The venue has grown larger and bolder with each year, beginning at the Mayan Theater in 2023. The Intuit Dome held the event in 2024 and Dodger Stadium in 2025. This year’s show will take place this weekend at the L.A. Convention Center West Hall.

Roughly 700 collectibles vendors are expected, almost double the number at Dodger Stadium. Food and drink will be available and the card show is open to all ages.

Pokémon cards and items continue to be the most popular to trade and purchase, according to show officials. All sorts of sports collectibles will be plentiful, with Shohei Ohtani — unsurprisingly — the most popular card, and card grading will be available on-site.

“More than just a card show, it is a cultural event built around the art of collecting,” LA Card Show co-founder Adam Derry said.

Trading Card Game (TCG) deck-building is increasingly popular, with players competing in games such as “Magic: The Gathering” using cards that represent spells, monsters and resources. Comic collectibles will also be traded and sold.

Other attractions include activations with the Clippers, Kings, Sparks and LAFC, and fashion and streetwear from HYPLAND, Holiday, Vandy The Pink and Research Vintage.

The card show will take place from 10 am. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with VIP access at 9 a.m. A two-day general admission pass is $50 (VIP $100), with one-day passes $30 (VIP $50). Ages 8 and younger are free.

Tim Ream is the only player on the American World Cup team who was alive the last time the tournament was played in the U.S. But he was only 5, so the memories are kind of sketchy.

“I remember bits and pieces of 1994,” he said.

Still, it’s fallen on Ream, as both the captain and the oldest man on the roster, to prepare the team for what they’re about to experience when the U.S. opens play Friday at SoFi Stadium.

“I’ve tried to tell guys and tried to convey the message that this is a once-in-a-career [opportunity] and with that comes more expectation, more pressure,” he said. “But at the same time we have to enjoy it.

“It’s about just opening your eyes and taking everything in because this is unique, this is completely different from anything that any of us as players has experienced.”

Only 22 men in history have suited up for a home World Cup game on U.S. soil. Players including Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, Cobi Jones and Marcelo Balboa parlayed that fame into broadcasting careers. Others have become coaches. Fifteen of them were inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Ream, who played in the last World Cup in Qatar, said it’s difficult to compare the experience of that tournament with this one — especially since this one hasn’t started yet.

“It’s not our first rodeo, but it’s our first one on U.S. soil,” he said. “So it’s kind of our first rodeo in a way. It’s exciting.

“So take it in, enjoy it, embrace everything that it is. Because it’s so unique, it’s so special. And it’s not something that we will ever get to do again.”

Midfielder Cristian Roldan was also at the last World Cup, although he didn’t appear in a game. He says the energy is different this time around.

“You feel it when you’re there. You’re kind of isolated, you’re alone,” said Roldan, one of 13 players on this team who were also on the team in Qatar, half a world away. “But it’s different here. You see how many media members are here. You see how many people we’ve seen in training over the last few weeks. You feel that energy, you feel that support.

“Now it’s about translating that energy, that support, that pressure into something good.”

Goalkeeper Matt Turner agreed.

“This one, obviously, it’s a lot more tangible,” he told reporters Tuesday. “You guys are all here, right, real close to us. We have 5,000 fans for training yesterday. It’s very different. In Qatar, you’re in a lot more of a bubble.

“But us players, the ones that had the [World Cup] experiences, I think we’ve done a really good job of keeping that boundary.”

What’s lacking this time, Turner said, was the pressure of a qualifying campaign to bring the team together. Because the U.S. is one of the three host countries — alongside Mexico and Canada — it was assured a spot in 48-team field when it won the right to stage the tournament eight years ago. As a result it hasn’t played a competitive game in more than 11 months.

“The intensity of those games, the environments that you have to dip into and get results, you find out a lot about the players and find out a lot about the team,” he said. “This time around, it’s been different. We’ve had a lot of different looks, a lot of different players getting a chance to prove themselves and show themselves.

“It’s not anything bad or good. I just think it was a little bit different.”

Striker Folarin Balogun, one of 13 World Cup newbies on the U.S. team, said he doesn’t expect the gravity of the experience to hit him until he lines up for Friday’s opening game with Paraguay.

“It’s probably going to start to go more real to me when I’m preparing to go on to the pitch,” he said, sitting behind a table next to Ream. “I’m hearing the fans shouting and screaming, so I definitely think it’ll be real to me the closer I get.

“But you know, this is the first opportunity for me to play in the World Cup so I don’t really have any expectations.”

Balogun then looked over at a frowning Ream, who had just finished urging his teammates to be sure to stop and smell the flowers along this World Cup journey.

“Just trying to stay present, stay in the moment,” Balogun hastened to add. “You know, enjoying the experience. I think it can be a really memorable World Cup.”

TYSON Fury was clearly feeling loved-up with wife Paris as they holiday in Thailand with their five youngest children.

The couple may have been together for 20 years, but they are still firmly in the honeymoon phase if Tyson’s gushing post is anything to go by.

The boxing legend, 37, shared a glamorous photo of Paris, 36, in full holiday mode wearing a sparkling dress in various pink shades.

He wrote: “Mrs Paris Fury looking stunning tonight! Love ❤️ her so much @parisfury1 #still #wondermother #superwifeandmom.”

Paris replied in the comments: “That’s very nice of you babe.”

The couple tied the knot in 2008 in a lavish ceremony in Doncaster and have since welcomed seven children together.

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But their marriage hasn’t always been plain sailing.

The pair have faced heartbreak over the years, including suffering miscarriages, which Tyson has spoken about publicly in emotional interviews.

Despite the ups and downs, Tyson and Paris are still going strong and even renewed their wedding vows in a romantic ceremony in France last year.

The pair are currently enjoying a lavish Thailand getaway after flying five of their children on £5,000-a-seat business class flights.

Prince Tyson II, nine, Valencia, eight, Adonis, seven, Athena, four, and two-year-old Prince Rico all travelled in private pods on the Etihad flight.

Paris shared: “A serious long travel I think it took us 36 hours in total but well worth it.”

The couple have also just paid for their 16-year-old daughter Venezuela’s £30,000 honeymoon to Marbella following her recent wedding to Noah Price.

They are also believed to have gifted the newlyweds £5million and a traditional gypsy caravan as a wedding present.

Tyson and Paris Fury are estimated to have a combined net worth of around £162million.

VENEZUELA Fury’s new husband Noah Price has worn his wedding ring around his neck while on their lavish £30k honeymoon.

The 16-year-old daughter of ‘Gypsy King’ Tyson Fury and Paris Fury said “I do” to amateur boxer Noah Price over the weekend.

The youngsters, who got engaged at Venezuela’s 16th birthday party last September, got married in a lavish ceremony on Saturday at the Victorian Royal Chapel of St John’s in the Isle of Man.

The newlyweds are now living their best lives in Marbella, with them both showing off their lavish £30k honeymoon online with their many fans.

Boxer Noah, 19, proudly wore his wedding band on a chain around his neck in a new video as he strolled on the beach with his new wife.

The couple were dressed head-to-toe in designer looks.

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CARAVAN OF LOVE

Venezuela Fury’s caravan home with husband as she leaves £8m family mansion

Venezuela rocked a chic Versace outfit while Noah rocked a Loewe T-shirt.

The couple enjoyed lunch at the Sexy Pasta restaurant and documented their sweet date.

Venezuela’s parents Tyson and Paris paid for their £30,000 honeymoon trip as a wedding present.

It comes after Venezuela’s parents Tyson and Paris gifted the newlyweds a £5million and a traditional gypsy caravan as a wedding gift.

A source revealed to us this week: “Tyson and Paris gave Venezuela and Noah a wedding present of £5million to kick-start their life, obviously, they were over the moon.

“Some family members thought it was a lot of money for a young couple so there were some mixed feelings – but it’s up to Tyson and Paris. 

“Tyson also paid for the honeymoon and got them a traditional gypsy wagon as a sentimental gift. Tyson’s got one in his front yard.

“The wedding was magical and they spent £40,000 on Venezuela’s dress alone. That’s the gypsy way – go big.”

This comes after new wife Venezuela showed off her and her husband’s new home – a stunning and very modern caravan.

The young TV star is trading her family’s £8million mansion on the Isle of Man for the plush static caravan in East Riding of Yorkshire.

Taking to TikTok before jetting to Marbella this week, Venezuela shared a video montage of her new marital home, writing underneath it: “R first ever home so proud of my Noah.”

The luxury caravan home boasted of a stunning marble bathroom with a free-standing bath with gold hardware, a cream kitchen overlooking trees and greenery, and plenty of space throughout.

The living room has a huge built-in TV cabinet with a fireplace beneath.

And the bedroom has large wardrobes and plush grey carpet throughout.

On the exterior of the property, there is a sign that says: “The Manor House”.

“I love caravans and this is like the ultimate one of luxury! Beautiful. Wish u many happy years together and hope you enjoy your new home,” said one person.

“Class. beautiful wee home to start your new life,” penned a second.

“Looks really elegant wish you every happiness in.your first home,” wrote a third.