SoFi Stadium, officially named SoFi Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Inglewood, California, United States. It is used primarily for American football games, hosting the home games of the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, its co-tenants.
Opened on 8 September 2020 with an NFL match between the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys, it replaced the Rams' and Chargers' previous respective home venues, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Dignity Health Sports Park. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 70,240, but can be expanded to accommodate up to 100,240 for major events such as the Super Bowl. The stadium was designed by HKS, Inc. and had a construction cost of approximately $5.5 billion, making it the most expensive stadium ever built.
A state-of-the-art facility, SoFi Stadium is set to host several major events, including the Super Bowl LVI in 2022, the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2023, and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Summer Olympics. It has already hosted the 2021 WWE WrestleMania 37, marking the event's return to a stadium setting. Furthermore, by the end of its first year of operation, SoFi Stadium had welcomed hundreds of thousands of spectators despite operating under limited capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The stadium is also set to be a potential venue for future FIFA World Cup matches, should the United States be selected as a host nation.
While the previous Rams and Chargers stadium was also officially named 'Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum', the new stadium acquired an official name, SoFi Stadium. SoFi is an abbreviation for Social Finance Inc., a finance company based in the United States, which sponsored the stadium. This official name was given after the construction of the new stadium. The stadium was built in the city of Inglewood, which is a part of Los Angeles County. This area was chosen due to its convenient location and the city's history with sports, having previously hosted the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Kings. The people of Los Angeles and the fans of the Rams and Chargers, refer to the stadium as SoFi. Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'SoFi Stadium', which is usually kept the same in all languages. This name, however, refers not just to the financial company that sponsored the construction, but to the hopes and aspirations of a city that is constantly looking towards the future. The stadium is located at 1000 South Prairie Avenue, a significant location that is easily accessible for fans and players alike. The construction of SoFi Stadium has been a major milestone for the city of Inglewood and a significant addition to the sports history of Los Angeles.
The stadium, with a capacity of approximately 70,000, expandable up to 100,000 for special events, is a marvel of modern architecture and technology. The stadium is the centerpiece of a 298-acre sports and entertainment district, Hollywood Park, which includes a performance venue and numerous shops, offices, and residential units. The stadium has the largest video board in sports, offering fans a unique, 360-degree view of the action. Its sheer size and design make it a standout among the world-class venues in Los Angeles. The stadium features a translucent canopy covering the stadium and the adjacent pedestrian plaza, protecting fans from the elements while allowing natural light to flood the playing field. The design also promotes natural ventilation, providing comfort for spectators regardless of the weather.
SoFi Stadium opened on September 8, 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and although it wasn't able to host fans immediately due to the pandemic, it marked a significant milestone in the sports history of Los Angeles. The stadium has already been slated to host major events in the coming years, including Super Bowl LVI in 2022, the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2023, and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Summer Olympics. This further cements SoFi Stadium's place as a premier sports and entertainment destination. The stadium is not just a venue for sports and entertainment but a symbol of the city's resilience and determination to move forward in challenging times.
An ideal location, with excellent accessibility and considerable space for potential development, was identified in the Inglewood region of Los Angeles. Being situated in the heart of this bustling city, the new stadium quickly became known as 'SoFi Stadium'.
It was always the intention of the developers to own both the stadium and the land it sat on. Even though initially a lease was organized for the municipal terrains, a final buy-out was eventually achieved. The blueprints for the sports complex had been drawn up as early as the mid-2010s by HKS, a renowned architectural firm.
Driven by the vision of Stan Kroenke, the owner of the Los Angeles Rams, the stakeholders bore the financial burden of constructing the new stadium. They made substantial donations, and some even participated in the construction process on holidays or weekends. There was even a 'steel campaign', whereby large quantities of steel were donated to the project.
Construction officially began on November 17, 2016. Less than four years later, and at a cost of approximately 5 billion dollars, on September 8, 2020, the stadium was officially opened. Although the inaugural season was played without fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the stadium has a seating capacity of 70,240, extendable up to 100,240 for Super Bowl, WrestleMania, FIFA World Cup, Summer Olympics, and other major events.
'SoFi Stadium (2020)': This reference provides detailed information about SoFi Stadium, its construction, and key events it has hosted. www.sofistadium.com
'SoFi Stadium (The Stadium at Hollywood Park) – until 2020': This source explains the history of the stadium and its transformation until 2020. stadiumdb.com
'SoFi Shines Bright': This book provides a comprehensive overview of SoFi Stadium and its significance. www.amazon.com
'The Story of SoFi Stadium: A Game-Changing Venue': This book tells the story of the construction of SoFi Stadium and its impact on the city of Los Angeles. www.amazon.com
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