SoFi Stadium facts for kids
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SoFi Stadium in 2023, with posters set up in time for WrestleMania 39
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 SoFi Stadium
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
SoFi Stadium
Location in California
SoFi Stadium
Location in the United States
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| Address | 1001 South Stadium Drive |
| Location | Inglewood, California, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 33°57′11″N 118°20′20″W / 33.953°N 118.339°W |
| Public transit |
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| Owner | StadCo LA Hollywood Park Land Company |
| Operator | StadCo LA |
| Executive suites | 260 |
| Capacity | 70,240 |
| Acreage | 298 acres (121 ha) |
| Surface | Artificial (Matrix Turf) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | November 17, 2016 |
| Built | 2016–2020 |
| Opened | September 8, 2020 |
| Construction cost | $5–6 billion (estimated, including development)($5.65 billion-6.78 billion in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | HKS, Inc. |
| Project manager | Legends Global Planning |
| Structural engineer | Walter P Moore Engineers and Consultants |
| Services engineer | Henderson Engineers, Inc. |
| General contractor | Turner/AECOM HuntJV |
| Tenants | |
| Los Angeles Rams (NFL) 2020–present Los Angeles Chargers (NFL) 2020–present LA Bowl (NCAA) 2021–present |
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SoFi Stadium is a huge, domed stadium in Inglewood, California, near Los Angeles. It's a special place because it hosts many different kinds of events. The stadium opened in September 2020 and can hold over 70,000 people. For really big events, it can even expand to fit more than 100,000 fans!
This stadium is home to two professional football teams, the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, both from the National Football League (NFL). It also hosts the yearly LA Bowl college football game. SoFi Stadium has already been the site of major events like Super Bowl LVI in 2022, the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, and WrestleMania 39. It will also host games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the opening and swimming events for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
SoFi Stadium is one of only two stadiums in the U.S. that two NFL teams share. It's also part of a larger area called Hollywood Park, which is a new neighborhood with shops, offices, and homes.
Contents
Stadium Design and Features
SoFi Stadium was designed by a company called HKS. It includes the stadium itself, a walking area for fans, and a performance hall. A see-through roof covers the entire stadium, the walking area, and the performance hall. This roof is made of 302 special panels, and 46 of them can open to let in fresh air. The roof also has 27,000 LED lights that can show pictures and videos, even visible from planes flying into Los Angeles International Airport.
The stadium has open sides, which means it feels like an outdoor stadium even with a roof. This design allows it to seat 70,240 people, with room to add 30,000 more seats for huge events. The attached music and theater venue, called YouTube Theater, can seat 6,000 people.
The Infinity Screen
A really cool part of the stadium's design is the Infinity Screen by Samsung. This is a huge, oval-shaped video screen that hangs above the field. It's double-sided and shows amazing 4K quality video. The screen weighs about 1,100 tons and has 80 million pixels! It also holds the stadium's sound system with 260 speakers and 56 5G wireless antennas.
Why Artificial Turf?
Most outdoor sports in California are played on real grass because of the good weather. However, keeping a natural grass field in good shape for two football teams is very hard. Because SoFi Stadium was built for both the Rams and the Chargers, the designers chose to use artificial turf instead of real grass.
Awards for Design
SoFi Stadium has won several awards for its amazing design:
- "Stadium of the Year" from StadiumDB's Jury Award.
- "Outstanding Architectural Engineering Project" of 2021 by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
- The "Excellence in Action" Award for its recycled water project.
- Steel Winner in Tekla's North America BIM Awards.
Stadium History
Building on Hollywood Park
The land where SoFi Stadium now stands used to be home to the famous Hollywood Park Racetrack. This was a place for horse racing from 1938 until it closed in 2013. Most of the old buildings were torn down to make way for new construction.
Years before SoFi Stadium, there were talks about building an NFL stadium here in the 1990s. The Los Angeles Raiders almost moved to a new stadium on this site, but their owner, Al Davis, didn't agree to the terms.
Later, in 2014, Stan Kroenke, who owned the St. Louis Rams, bought a large piece of land next to the old racetrack. This made people wonder if the Rams would move back to Los Angeles, where they had played for many years.
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In 2015, Kroenke's company teamed up with the owners of Hollywood Park to build a new, multi-purpose stadium for the NFL. The plan included the stadium, a performance venue, and a whole new neighborhood with shops, offices, homes, and parks. The city of Inglewood quickly approved these plans.
Construction Challenges
The NFL officially approved the Rams' move back to Los Angeles in January 2016. Construction on SoFi Stadium began soon after. The project faced some challenges, including concerns from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about how the tall stadium might affect radar at the nearby airport. However, these issues were resolved, and construction continued.
In May 2017, heavy rainfall caused delays, pushing the stadium's opening from 2019 to 2020. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, construction was allowed to continue with safety measures. Sadly, in June 2020, construction was temporarily stopped after a worker died in an accident on the roof.
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First Events at SoFi Stadium
The NFL preseason was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The Rams held their first practice at the stadium in August 2020. The first NFL game at SoFi Stadium was on September 13, 2020, with the Rams playing the Dallas Cowboys. No fans were allowed in the stadium at first due to health rules.
The first event with spectators was a rugby match in May 2021. The first NFL game with fans in attendance was in September 2021, when the Rams played the Chicago Bears.
Many concerts planned for the stadium's opening were postponed or canceled. However, the stadium has since hosted many huge musical acts. In May 2021, it hosted Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World, a special event to promote COVID-19 vaccination. Later, in July 2021, American DJ Kaskade held the first major public concert. The K-pop group BTS performed four sold-out shows in November and December 2021, setting records for concert earnings in California.
Naming the Stadium
SoFi and American Airlines
On September 15, 2019, it was announced that the financial company SoFi bought the rights to name the stadium. This deal is for 20 years and is worth over $30 million each year, which was a record for a sports venue naming deal. SoFi also became a partner for both the Rams and Chargers teams.
The open area inside the stadium, between the field and the performance venue, is called American Airlines Plaza. This is because American Airlines has a major hub at the nearby LAX airport.
YouTube Theater
The performance venue attached to the stadium was officially named YouTube Theater on June 28, 2021. This is named after the popular video-sharing company.
Temporary Names for Global Events
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stadium will be temporarily called "Los Angeles Stadium." This is because FIFA has a rule against corporate-sponsored names during their events. Similarly, for the 2028 Summer Olympics, it will be temporarily renamed "2028 Stadium."
Stadium Funding
SoFi Stadium was built using private money. The estimated cost of the stadium and its surrounding facilities was about $5.5 billion, making it one of the most expensive sports venues ever built in the world.
Teams Calling SoFi Home
The Rams and Chargers Move In
The St. Louis Rams were the first team to decide to move to SoFi Stadium. The NFL approved their move to Los Angeles in January 2016. As part of this deal, the San Diego Chargers were given the first chance to also move to Los Angeles and share the stadium with the Rams.
On January 29, 2016, the Rams and Chargers agreed to share the stadium. Both teams helped pay for the construction costs. The Chargers decided to stay in San Diego for the 2016 season while trying to get a new stadium there. However, their stadium proposal didn't pass.
So, on January 12, 2017, the Chargers officially announced they would move to Los Angeles for the 2017 season. This made them the second team to call SoFi Stadium home. The Oakland Raiders, who had also been considered for a move to Los Angeles, then decided to move to Las Vegas, Nevada, instead.
The arrival of the Rams and Chargers brought major professional sports back to Inglewood. The city hadn't hosted major teams since the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings moved out of The Forum in 1999.
Major Events Hosted
Super Bowl Games
| Date | Winning Team | Result | Losing Team | Event | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 13, 2022 | Los Angeles Rams | 23–20 | Cincinnati Bengals | Super Bowl LVI | 70,048 |
| February 14, 2027 | – | Super Bowl LXI |
Super Bowl LVI in 2022
SoFi Stadium hosted Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022. This was the first Super Bowl in the Los Angeles area since 1993. The stadium was originally supposed to host Super Bowl LV in 2021, but its opening was delayed. So, the NFL moved Super Bowl LV to another city and gave LVI to Los Angeles.
In 2022, SoFi Stadium became the first stadium to host both a conference championship game and the Super Bowl in the same year. The Rams won the NFC Championship Game and then went on to win Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals in their home stadium!
Super Bowl LXI in 2027
SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host its second Super Bowl, Super Bowl LXI, on February 14, 2027.
College Football Games
College Football Playoff National Championship
On January 9, 2023, SoFi Stadium hosted the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship. The Georgia Bulldogs played against the TCU Horned Frogs. Georgia won the game 65–7, which was the largest win margin ever in a national championship game at the time.
LA Bowl Games
The LA Bowl is an annual college football game played at SoFi Stadium. Teams from the Mountain West Conference and Pac-12 conferences compete.
| Date | Winning team | Winning team points | Losing team | Losing team points | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 18, 2021 | Utah State  |
24 |  Oregon State |
13 | 29,896 | notes |
| December 17, 2022 | Fresno State  |
29 |  Washington State |
6 | 32,405 | notes |
| December 16, 2023 | UCLA |
35 |  Boise State |
22 | 32,780 | notes |
| December 18, 2024 | No. 24 UNLV  |
24 | California |
13 | 24,420 | notes |
High School Football Games
SoFi Stadium has also hosted high school football games.
- On October 13, 2023, it hosted a game between Downey rivals Warren High School and Downey High School. Warren won 28–21 in front of 18,000 fans.
- On October 18, 2024, St. John Bosco High School defeated Servite High School 27–17.
- On October 25, 2024, Garfield High School beat Roosevelt High School 38–28 in front of 15,000 people.
Soccer Matches
SoFi Stadium has hosted several exciting soccer matches.
- On August 3, 2022, it held a doubleheader with two Los Angeles-based Major League Soccer clubs and two Mexican Liga MX clubs.
- On July 16, 2023, the stadium hosted the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, where Mexico won 1–0 against Panama.
- It also hosted two matches during the 2024 Copa América.
- In March 2025, it hosted the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
- On April 5, 2025, the United States women's national soccer team played a friendly match against Brazil.
- On June 14, 2025, it hosted a match for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
2026 FIFA World Cup
SoFi Stadium will be one of the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It will host eight matches, including five group stage games, two Round of 32 matches, and a quarterfinal match. The United States men's national soccer team will play its opening match here on June 12, 2026, and its third group match on June 25, 2026.
The stadium's design means that some field-level seats will need to be removed to make the soccer field the right size. The artificial turf will also be replaced with real grass for the tournament.
WrestleMania 39
On April 1 and 2, 2023, SoFi Stadium hosted WrestleMania 39, which is WWE's biggest professional wrestling event. It was the highest-earning event in WWE history, bringing in $21.6 million and drawing over 160,000 fans over two nights.
2028 Summer Olympics
SoFi Stadium will play a big role in the 2028 Summer Olympics and 2028 Summer Paralympics. It will host the opening and closing ceremonies. It will also host the swimming events, with a special setup that will seat 38,000 spectators, making it the largest Olympic swimming venue ever. The pool will be built before the opening ceremony and covered for the stage.
Concerts and Music Events
SoFi Stadium has become a popular venue for major concerts and music festivals.
- On May 2, 2021, it hosted VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World, featuring artists like Jennifer Lopez and the Foo Fighters.
- Kaskade held the first major public concert on July 17, 2021.
- The Latin music group Los Bukis had two sold-out shows in August 2021.
- The Rolling Stones performed two shows in October 2021.
- The K-pop group BTS sold out four shows in November and December 2021, setting a record for concert earnings in California.
- Other major artists like Paul McCartney, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, Metallica, Beyoncé, and Ed Sheeran have all performed at the stadium.
- Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour in August 2023 included six sold-out shows, making her the first female artist to sell out so many shows at the stadium.
- Ed Sheeran set a record for the highest single-show attendance with 81,384 fans in September 2023.
- The Rolling Loud music festival has been held at the stadium in March 2023, March 2024, and March 2025.
- ILLENIUM performed two shows for his Trilogy: Los Angeles event in February 2024.
- Blink-182 and Kenny Chesney also performed in July 2024.
- The Hard Summer music festival was held in August 2024 and is scheduled for August 2025.
- Green Day performed in September 2024.
- Beyoncé is scheduled for five shows in April and May 2025 for her Cowboy Carter Tour.
- Kendrick Lamar and SZA are scheduled for three shows in May 2025.
- Stray Kids are scheduled for two shows in May and June 2025.
- Blackpink is scheduled for two shows in July 2025.
- Shakira is scheduled for two shows in August 2025.
NFL Attendance Records
| NFL Team | Year | Home Games | Average Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 2024 | 9 | 73,194 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2024 | 8 | 69,966 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2023 | 8 | 73,150 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2023 | 9 | 69,736 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2022 | 9 | 72,734 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2022 | 8 | 69,955 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2021 | 8 | 71,598 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2021 | 9 | 70,240 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2020 | 8 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2020 | 8 | 0 |
Hollywood Park Entertainment Complex
SoFi Stadium is the center of a huge new area called Hollywood Park. This area is a master-planned neighborhood built on the site of the old horse racing track. Hollywood Park includes:
- Over 8.5 million square feet of office space and homes.
- A 12-screen movie theater.
- Ballrooms and outdoor spaces for community events.
- Shops, restaurants, and an open-air entertainment area.
- A luxury hotel.
- Five soundstages called Hollywood Park Studios.
- An artificial lake with a waterfall and fountain, known as Rivers Lake.
- The YouTube Theater, which seats 6,000 people.
The first part of Hollywood Park to open was the Hollywood Park Casino in October 2016. The NFL also opened a new west coast office campus here in September 2021. This "NFL Los Angeles" building houses NFL Network, NFL Films, and other digital properties.
Getting to SoFi Stadium
Public Transportation Options
The SoFi Shuttle is a free bus service run by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). It takes people between SoFi Stadium and the LAX/Metro Transit Center. From there, you can connect to the Metro C Line and K Line trains. The shuttle runs for NFL games and special events, starting three hours before the event and continuing for 90 minutes after it ends.
GTrans also has a special bus route, the 7X Stadium Express, which runs on Sundays. It connects the Harbor Gateway Transit Center to SoFi Stadium.
Throughout the year, several local bus routes serve SoFi Stadium, including Metro lines 115, 117, and 212, and Torrance Transit line 10.
See also
In Spanish: SoFi Stadium para niños
