History of SoFi Stadium in Timeline
"SoFi Stadium, located in Inglewood, California, is a massive indoor-outdoor sports and entertainment venue with a seating capacity of 70,240. Situated on the former grounds of Hollywood Park Racetrack, it neighbors Kia Forum and Intuit Dome. Its strategic location places it a mere 3 miles from Los Angeles International Airport."
1938: Hollywood Park Racetrack Opening
Hollywood Park, a thoroughbred race course, first opened its doors in 1938.
1960: Chargers' Inaugural Season
The Chargers played their inaugural season in Los Angeles in 1960.
1993: Last Super Bowl in Los Angeles Area
Super Bowl XXVII in 1993 was the last Super Bowl played in the Los Angeles area before Super Bowl LVI.
May 1995: Raiders Stadium Proposal
In May 1995, NFL team owners voted in favor of a plan to construct a privately funded stadium for the Los Angeles Raiders on the Hollywood Park site. However, Raiders owner Al Davis ultimately rejected the deal.
October 1999: Return of Professional Sports to Inglewood
The Rams' and Chargers' move to SoFi Stadium marked the return of major professional sports to Inglewood since the Lakers and Kings left The Forum for Staples Center in October 1999.
December 2013: Hollywood Park Racetrack Closure
Hollywood Park, later known as Betfair Hollywood Park, ceased racing and training operations in December 2013.
January 31, 2014: Stan Kroenke's Land Purchase
Stan Kroenke, the owner of the St. Louis Rams, acquired a 60-acre parcel of land north of the Hollywood Park site on January 31, 2014, sparking speculation about his plans for the property and a potential return of the Rams to Los Angeles.
2014: Demolition of Hollywood Park
Demolition of the majority of the Hollywood Park complex began in 2014 to pave the way for new construction.
January 5, 2015: Stadium and Development Partnership
Stockbridge Capital Group, the owners of the Hollywood Park Land Company, announced a partnership with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment on January 5, 2015, to develop a multi-purpose NFL stadium and a performance arts venue on the Hollywood Park site.
February 2015: Site Preparation Begins
In early February 2015, site preparation work began, including the movement of earth and grading, in anticipation of the construction scheduled to start later that year.
February 19, 2015: Raiders and Chargers Stadium Proposal
The Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers announced their joint proposal for a privately financed stadium in Carson, California, on February 19, 2015, in a competing bid to relocate to the Los Angeles market.
February 24, 2015: Inglewood City Council Approval
The Inglewood City Council granted unanimous approval on February 24, 2015, for the plans to combine the 60-acre plot of land with the larger Hollywood Park development and rezone the area to accommodate sports and entertainment facilities, clearing the way for construction to commence.
December 2015: Planned Construction Start
The planned start of construction on the stadium and development project was set for December 2015.
2015: No Franchise Relocation
The National Football League announced that no franchise relocations would be permitted for the 2015 season.
2015: Tax Break Negotiations
In 2015, while privately funded, the developers of SoFi Stadium sought significant tax breaks from the city of Inglewood.
January 12, 2016: NFL Approves Inglewood Proposal
On January 12, 2016, the NFL approved the Rams' relocation back to Los Angeles and the Inglewood stadium proposal, with a 30-2 vote, surpassing a rival proposal.
January 29, 2016: Rams and Chargers Agreement
The Rams and the Chargers reached an agreement in principle to share SoFi Stadium on January 29, 2016. Both teams agreed to contribute \$200 million each towards construction costs and pay \$1 per year in rent.
May 2016: Super Bowl LV Initially Awarded
SoFi Stadium was initially awarded Super Bowl LV in May 2016 at an NFL owners' meeting.
July 14, 2016: Construction and Design Teams Selected
On July 14, 2016, Turner Construction and AECOM Hunt were selected to oversee the stadium's construction. Architectural design was assigned to the firm HKS, Inc.
October 2016: Hollywood Park Casino Reopening
In October 2016, the Hollywood Park Casino reopened in a new building on the property, marking the first establishment to open in the Hollywood Park development.
October 19, 2016: FAA Approves Drill Rig
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted approval for the use of a 110-foot-tall drill rig on October 19, 2016, marking the first of several heavy equipment approvals needed for construction.
October 21, 2016: Opening of Hollywood Park Casino
The Hollywood Park Casino, the first establishment in Hollywood Park, opened on October 21, 2016.
November 17, 2016: Stadium Groundbreaking Ceremony
On November 17, 2016, a groundbreaking ceremony took place at the stadium site to mark the official start of construction. Notable figures present included NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Rams owner Stan Kroenke.
December 16, 2016: FAA Delays Crane Permits
On December 16, 2016, the FAA decided to postpone the issuance of permits for construction cranes. This delay stemmed from unresolved concerns about the stadium's potential impact on operations at the nearby Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
December 23, 2016: FAA Approves Construction Cranes
The FAA gave the green light for the use of large construction cranes on December 23, 2016, a crucial step in moving the stadium project forward.
2016: Final Demolition of Hollywood Park
The remaining structures of Hollywood Park were demolished in late 2016 after the relocation of the Hollywood Park Casino to a new facility.
January 12, 2017: Chargers Relocate to Los Angeles
The Chargers announced their decision to relocate to Los Angeles for the 2017 season on January 12, 2017, becoming the second tenant at SoFi Stadium and marking their return to the city where they played their inaugural season in 1960.
January 15, 2017: Chargers' Stadium Option Expiration
The San Diego Chargers had until January 15, 2017, to exercise their option to relocate to Los Angeles and share SoFi Stadium with the Rams. This option was part of the agreement that allowed the Rams to relocate to Los Angeles. After this date, the Oakland Raiders would have gained the same option.
May 2017: Super Bowl LV Re-awarded, Super Bowl LVI Awarded
Due to delays in the stadium's opening, the NFL re-awarded Super Bowl LV to Tampa's Raymond James Stadium in May 2017 and awarded Super Bowl LVI to SoFi Stadium instead.
May 18, 2017: Stadium Opening Delayed to 2020
On May 18, 2017, it was announced that the stadium's completion would be postponed until the 2020 NFL season due to record rainfall impacting the construction timeline.
August 8, 2017: LA Stadium Premiere Center Opens
August 8, 2017, marked the opening of the LA Stadium Premiere Center in Playa Vista. This center provided interactive displays and models to showcase the new stadium's design and features, particularly for potential buyers of premium seating and suites.
November 1, 2017: 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Awarded
It was announced on November 1, 2017, that SoFi Stadium would host the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship.
March 2018: Increased Debt Ceiling Approved
In March 2018, NFL owners voted to increase the debt ceiling for SoFi Stadium and its facilities to \$4.963 billion, making it the most expensive sports venue at the time.
March 2018: NFL Media to Relocate to SoFi Stadium Complex
In March 2018, the NFL revealed plans to move its NFL Media operations from Culver City to a new 200,000-square-foot facility adjacent to SoFi Stadium in the Hollywood Park development. The new facility was completed in 2021.
June 13, 2018: FIFA World Cup Bid Selection
On June 13, 2018, FIFA selected the joint Canada–Mexico–United States bid to host the 2026 World Cup, with SoFi Stadium later chosen as one of the host venues.
June 26, 2018: Stadium Topping Out Ceremony
On June 26, 2018, a "topping out" ceremony was held to celebrate the placement of the final structural beam, marking a significant milestone in the construction process.
August 6, 2019: American Airlines Plaza Naming Rights
On August 6, 2019, American Airlines secured the naming rights to the covered open space between the playing field and the performance venue, now known as American Airlines Plaza. The airline became the first founding partner of the stadium.
August 2019: Stadium 75% Complete
By August 2019, a year before the anticipated opening, SoFi Stadium was reported to be 75% complete, indicating steady progress in its construction.
September 15, 2019: SoFi Stadium Naming Rights Deal
On September 15, 2019, SoFi acquired the naming rights for the new stadium in a 20-year deal worth over \$30 million annually, setting a record for sports venue naming rights. SoFi also became an official partner of the Rams, the Chargers, the performance venue, and the surrounding entertainment district.
January 2020: Construction 85% Complete
As of January 2020, construction on SoFi Stadium had reached 85% completion, with ongoing work on the roof, oculus, and seat installation.
February 2020: Crane Collapse on Site
In February 2020, there was a crane collapse at the SoFi Stadium construction site. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
March 2020: Construction Continues Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Construction on SoFi Stadium, designated as a critical infrastructure project, continued through March 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic and California's stay-at-home orders. However, enhanced safety and social distancing measures were implemented.
May 2020: Additional Loan Approval
The NFL and its owners approved an additional \$500 million loan for SoFi Stadium in May 2020, bringing the total cost to \$5.5 billion and solidifying its status as the world's most expensive stadium.
June 5, 2020: Construction Halted After Worker Death
On June 5, 2020, construction at the stadium was temporarily put on hold following a tragic incident where an ironworker fell to his death through a roof opening.
June 9, 2020: Partial Construction Resumes
Construction resumed on June 9, 2020, at SoFi Stadium following a temporary halt, except for work on the roof area where the previous incident occurred.
August 22, 2020: Rams Hold First Practice at SoFi Stadium
The Rams held their inaugural practice session at SoFi Stadium on August 22, 2020, marking the team's first official use of their new home field.
September 2020: Stadium Opening
SoFi Stadium officially opened in September 2020.
2020: Raiders Move to Las Vegas
The Raiders relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2020 and began playing at Allegiant Stadium.
2020: Delayed Stadium Opening
SoFi Stadium's opening was delayed until 2020.
May 2, 2021: "Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World" Filmed
On May 2, 2021, SoFi Stadium hosted the filming of "Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World," a concert special organized by Global Citizen to promote COVID-19 vaccinations. The event, hosted by Selena Gomez, featured performances by Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, H.E.R., J Balvin, and the Duke of Sussex.
May 15, 2021: First Athletic Event with Spectators
SoFi Stadium hosted its first athletic event with spectators on May 15, 2021, a Major League Rugby match between the LA Giltinis and Utah Warriors. The Giltinis won 38-27 in front of 4,880 fans.
June 28, 2021: YouTube Theater Naming Rights
On June 28, 2021, the performance venue within SoFi Stadium was officially named YouTube Theater.
September 8, 2021: Opening of NFL's West Coast Campus
The NFL opened its new west coast campus, a seven-story office tower at Hollywood Park next to SoFi Stadium, on September 8, 2021.
September 12, 2021: First NFL Regular Season Game with Fans
On September 12, 2021, SoFi Stadium hosted its first NFL regular-season game with fans in attendance. The Los Angeles Rams secured a 34-14 victory over the Chicago Bears before a crowd of 70,445.
October 4, 2021: First Lightning Delay
On October 4, 2021, the first lightning delay during an NFL game at SoFi Stadium occurred during a match between the Chargers and the Raiders.
2021: Postponement of WrestleMania 37
SoFi Stadium was initially slated to host WrestleMania 37 in 2021, but its hosting was postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Rams Win NFC Championship
The Rams secured victory in the 2021 NFC Championship Game.
2021: Inaugural LA Bowl
The inaugural LA Bowl, a game between the Mountain West and Pac-12 conferences, took place at SoFi Stadium in 2021. Utah State defeated Oregon State in this game.
2021: Super Bowl LV Held in Tampa
Super Bowl LV took place in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium in 2021.
February 13, 2022: Super Bowl LVI
On February 13, 2022, SoFi Stadium hosted Super Bowl LVI.
August 3, 2022: Leagues Cup Showcase
SoFi Stadium hosted a club friendly doubleheader on August 3, 2022, featuring matches between Los Angeles-based MLS clubs and Liga MX clubs from Mexico. The event, part of the Leagues Cup Showcase, was sold out.
2022: Historic Hosting Feat
SoFi Stadium achieved a significant milestone in 2022 by becoming the first stadium to host both a conference championship game and the Super Bowl in the same year.
January 9, 2023: College Football Playoff National Championship
On January 9, 2023, the College Football Playoff National Championship game was held at SoFi Stadium.
April 29, 2023: First Monster Jam Event Held
SoFi Stadium hosted its first-ever Monster Jam event on April 29, 2023, with Grave Digger emerging as the overall event champion.
July 16, 2023: 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final
SoFi Stadium hosted the final of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup on July 16, 2023.
September 2023: Dispute over Revenue Sharing Threatens SoFi Stadium's Hosting
In September 2023, Stan Kroenke threatened to pull hosting from SoFi Stadium for the 2026 World Cup due to a revenue-sharing dispute with FIFA.
October 13, 2023: First High School Football Game
SoFi Stadium hosted its first high school football game on October 13, 2023, between Warren High School and Downey High School. Warren won the game, which drew an audience of 18,000.
2023: WrestleMania 39 at SoFi Stadium
On April 1 and 2, 2023, SoFi Stadium hosted WrestleMania 39, the highest-grossing event in WWE history, drawing a reported gate of $21.6 million and a combined attendance of 161,892 fans over both nights.
January 2024: Resolution of Dispute and Confirmation of SoFi Stadium as Host
In January 2024, the dispute between Stan Kroenke and FIFA was resolved, and SoFi Stadium was confirmed as a host venue for the 2026 World Cup.
February 4, 2024: Confirmation of SoFi Stadium as Opening Match Venue
On February 4, 2024, it was announced that SoFi Stadium would host the opening match for the United States in the 2026 World Cup on June 12, 2026, as well as their third group match on June 25, 2026.
May 4, 2024: City Year Los Angeles Spring Break Fundraiser
SoFi Stadium will host the City Year Los Angeles Spring Break Fundraiser featuring a performance by John Legend on May 4, 2024.
May 18, 2024: Monster Jam World Finals 23
It was announced that SoFi Stadium would host the Monster Jam World Finals 23 on May 18, 2024.
2024: 2024 Copa América Matches
SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host two matches during the 2024 Copa América.
February 1, 2025: Honda Battle of the Bands
The Honda Battle of the Bands, marking its first occurrence on the West Coast, is scheduled to be held at SoFi Stadium on February 1, 2025.
June 12, 2026: United States Opening Match at SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium will host the opening match for the United States in the 2026 World Cup on June 12, 2026.
June 25, 2026: United States Third Group Match at SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium will host the United States' third group match in the 2026 World Cup on June 25, 2026.
2026: Temporary Renaming for FIFA World Cup
In 2026, SoFi Stadium will be temporarily renamed "Los Angeles Stadium" for the duration of the FIFA World Cup, in line with FIFA's policy on corporate-sponsored names.
February 14, 2027: Super Bowl LXI
SoFi Stadium is set to host its second Super Bowl, Super Bowl LXI, on February 14, 2027.
2027: Initial Planned Opening of Inglewood Transit Connector
The Inglewood Transit Connector, a 1.6-mile automated people mover line connecting Downtown Inglewood K Line station with SoFi Stadium, the Forum, and the Intuit Dome, was initially planned to open in 2027.
2028: Temporary Renaming for Summer Olympics
SoFi Stadium will be temporarily renamed for the 2028 Summer Olympics as per the event's guidelines.
2028: SoFi Stadium to Host Opening and Closing Ceremonies of 2028 Olympics and Paralympics
SoFi Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, as well as swimming events in a specially constructed pool.
2028: 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles
The Inglewood Transit Connector was planned to be operational in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
2030: Revised Expected Opening of Inglewood Transit Connector
The Federal Transit Administration reports that the Inglewood Transit Connector is not expected to open for revenue service until early 2030.