Easterseals Teams Up with Angel City Football Club!

Easterseals SoCal has been named the Official Accessibility and Inclusion Partner of Angel City Football Club (ACFC). The multi-year partnership will ensure that every fan of every ability can fully participate in the excitement of matchday at BMO Stadium.

The Los Angeles-based, professional women’s soccer team, which competes in the National Women’s Soccer League, the top-tier women’s league in the U.S., is known not only for their on-field play but also for advocating for accessibility, gender equity and community engagement.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to raising the bar for accessibility in sports and setting a new standard for inclusive fan experiences in Southern California.

Making Matchday Accessible

Building on its successful work at major venues like SoFi Stadium, Angel Stadium, and Honda Center, Easterseals is now bringing its expertise to the soccer community—expanding access and support for fans at Angel City matches.

As part of the partnership, Easterseals will help guide accessibility and sensory-friendly best practices across Angel City’s matchday and community programming.

Key initiatives Include:

• Easterseals Sensory Popup Space at Fan Fests.
• Disability inclusion training workshops for Angel City staff and community partners.
• American Sign Language interpreters at every home match. 
• Enhanced accessibility information across Angel City’s website, app, Matchday Guide emails and an A–Z Guide, helping neurodivergent and disabled fans plan their visit with confidence.

Girls & Autism

Autism frequently presents differently in girls than it does in boys, often making it harder to recognize, delaying early diagnosis. A recent Easterseals Sensory Popup at an Angel City home game provided information about autism in girls to interested fans.

Signs May Include:

• Social skills seem strong, but friendships can be challenging. 
• Interests align with more socially typical topics. 
• Mimicking the behavior of others to fit in (“masking”). 
• Repetitive behaviors that are subtle or socially acceptable. 
• Sensitivity to sights, sounds and textures but able to hide it.
• Higher risk of anxiety, depression or low self-esteem due to internalizing feelings–possibly due to rejection, lack of belonging, etc.
• The majority of autism diagnostic tools are based on male samples which may indicate the criteria in general is not as sensitive to females. 

Team Work at Its Best

“Easterseals collaboration with Angel City to provide sensory-friendly kits, inclusion training and other educational opportunities shows the power of partnership in ensuring a truly inclusive guest experience in the arena,” said Nancy Weintraub, Chief Advancement Officer, ESSC. 

“We are working together to build accessibility into the foundation of sports and entertainment, from the information fans see online before a match to the support they deserve in the stands. Together, we’re ensuring that guests with disabilities can show up as they are and be fully engaged members of the Angel City community.”

Added Laura Flynn, ACFC CRO, “Angel City was founded on the belief that sport is a powerful driver of equity and belonging. Partnering with Easterseals allows us to deepen that commitment by reimagining what an accessible matchday looks like, from sensory supports and interpreters to staff training and community education. We want every fan, of every ability, to feel that BMO Stadium is their home.”

Learn more about how we’re building more inclusive and belonging-centered communities.