History of SoFi Stadium in Timeline

SoFi Stadium, located in Inglewood, California, is a multi-purpose indoor stadium built on the former Hollywood Park Racetrack site. It's situated near the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome, making it part of a larger entertainment complex. The stadium is designed to host a variety of events.

1938: Hollywood Park Opened

In 1938, Hollywood Park opened as a thoroughbred race course.

1960: Chargers Inaugural Season

In 1960, SoFi Stadium tenant, The Chargers, played their inaugural season.

1993: Last Super Bowl in Los Angeles Area

In 1993, the last Super Bowl was played in the Los Angeles area prior to Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium.

May 1995: NFL Approves Raiders Stadium Plan

In May 1995, NFL team owners approved a resolution supporting a plan to build a $200 million, privately funded stadium on property owned by Hollywood Park for the Los Angeles Raiders.

1995: NFL Considers Hollywood Park for Stadium

In 1995, the NFL studied the area north of Hollywood Park as a potential site for a stadium.

October 1999: Departure of Lakers and Kings from The Forum

In October 1999, the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings left The Forum for the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) in Downtown Los Angeles.

2012: Reference to Bruce Springsteen's Concert Engagement

In 2012, there was another concert that grossed more than BTS's engagement in SoFi Stadium. It was Bruce Springsteen, who held 10-show run at Giants Stadium.

December 2013: Hollywood Park Racetrack Shut Down

In December 2013, the Hollywood Park thoroughbred race course was shut down for racing and training.

January 31, 2014: Stan Kroenke Purchases Land Near Hollywood Park

On January 31, 2014, Stan Kroenke, owner of the St. Louis Rams, purchased a 60-acre parcel of land just north of the Hollywood Park site, leading to speculation about his intentions for a possible stadium site.

2014: Demolition of Hollywood Park Complex

In 2014, most of the Hollywood Park complex was demolished to make way for new construction.

January 5, 2015: Partnership to Build Stadium Announced

On January 5, 2015, Stockbridge Capital Group and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment announced a partnership to build a multi-purpose 70,240-seat stadium designed for the NFL.

February 2015: Site Grading Begins

In early February 2015, site grading began in preparation for the stadium construction.

February 19, 2015: Raiders and Chargers Announce Stadium Plans in Carson

On February 19, 2015, the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers announced plans for a privately financed $1.85 billion stadium in Carson, competing with the Inglewood project.

February 24, 2015: Inglewood City Council Approves Stadium Plans

On February 24, 2015, the Inglewood City Council approved plans to combine the 60-acre plot of land with the larger Hollywood Park development and rezone the area to include sports and entertainment capabilities.

December 2015: Construction on the Venue Planned to Begin

In December 2015, construction on the venue was planned to begin, following the Inglewood City Council's approval of the stadium plans.

2015: Developer Sought Tax Breaks

As of 2015, the developer of SoFi Stadium was seeking significant tax breaks from Inglewood.

2015: NFL Franchise Relocation Not Allowed

In 2015, the National Football League announced that no franchise relocation would be allowed for the upcoming season.

January 12, 2016: NFL Approves Rams Relocation and Inglewood Proposal

On January 12, 2016, the NFL approved the Inglewood proposal and the Rams' relocation back to Los Angeles by a vote of 30-2.

January 29, 2016: Rams and Chargers Agreement in Principle

On January 29, 2016, the Rams and the Chargers reached an agreement in principle to share the stadium. Both teams would contribute a $200 million stadium loan from the NFL and personal seat license fees to the construction costs and would pay $1 per year in rent to StadCo LA, LLC.

May 2016: Initial Award of Super Bowl LV

In May 2016, SoFi Stadium was originally awarded Super Bowl LV (2021) at an NFL owners' meeting.

July 14, 2016: Construction Oversight Announced

On July 14, 2016, it was announced that Turner Construction and AECOM Hunt would oversee construction of the stadium, with HKS, Inc. designing the stadium.

October 2016: Hollywood Park Casino Re-Opens

In October 2016, the Hollywood Park Casino re-opened in a new building on the property, becoming the development's first establishment to open.

October 19, 2016: FAA Approves Heavy Equipment

On October 19, 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determined that a 110-foot tall LB 44 rotary drill rig would not pose a hazard to air navigation, approving the first piece of heavy equipment for construction.

October 21, 2016: Hollywood Park Casino Opens

The first establishment to open in Hollywood Park was the Hollywood Park Casino, which opened on October 21, 2016.

November 17, 2016: Groundbreaking Ceremony Held

On November 17, 2016, the Rams held the groundbreaking construction ceremony at the stadium site, featuring NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Rams' owner Stan Kroenke.

December 16, 2016: FAA Declines Crane Permits

On December 16, 2016, it was reported that the FAA had declined to issue permits for cranes needed to build the structure due to concerns about the overall project.

December 23, 2016: FAA Approves Construction Cranes

On December 23, 2016, the FAA approved the use of large construction cranes to build the stadium.

2016: Final Demolition of Hollywood Park

In late 2016, the remainder of Hollywood Park was demolished after the Hollywood Park Casino moved to a new building.

January 12, 2017: Chargers Announce Relocation to Los Angeles

On January 12, 2017, the Chargers exercised their option and announced plans to relocate to Los Angeles for the 2017 season, becoming the second tenant at SoFi Stadium.

January 15, 2017: Expiration of Chargers' Option

On January 15, 2017, the San Diego Chargers' first option to relocate to Los Angeles and share the stadium with the Rams would have expired, after which the Oakland Raiders would have acquired the same option.

May 2017: Re-Award of Super Bowl LV and Award of LVI

In May 2017, due to the stadium's opening delay, Super Bowl LV was re-awarded to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, and Super Bowl LVI was awarded to Los Angeles instead.

May 18, 2017: Stadium Completion Postponed

On May 18, 2017, developers announced that record rainfall had postponed the stadium's completion and opening from 2019 until the 2020 NFL season.

August 8, 2017: LA Stadium Premiere Center Opens

On August 8, 2017, the LA Stadium Premiere Center opened in Playa Vista, showcasing the design and features of the new stadium.

November 1, 2017: Awarded 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship

On November 1, 2017, it was announced that SoFi Stadium would host the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship.

March 2018: NFL Indicates Need to Raise Debt Ceiling

In March 2018, internal league documents produced by the NFL indicated a need to raise the debt ceiling for SoFi Stadium and its facilities to a total of $4.963 billion.

March 2018: NFL Media Unit Relocation Announced

In March 2018, the NFL announced that it would relocate its NFL Media unit from Culver City to a new facility neighboring the stadium in the Hollywood Park development.

June 13, 2018: US Bid Selected by FIFA

On June 13, 2018, the American bid to host the World Cup was selected by FIFA. SoFi Stadium will host multiple matches during the 2026 tournament.

June 26, 2018: Stadium Topped Out

On June 26, 2018, the new stadium was ceremonially topped out.

August 6, 2019: American Airlines Plaza Naming

On August 6, 2019, the covered open space between the playing field and the performance venue was officially named American Airlines Plaza.

August 2019: Stadium Construction 75 Percent Complete

As of August 2019, Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff stated that the stadium was 75 percent complete.

September 15, 2019: SoFi Acquires Naming Rights

On September 15, 2019, SoFi, a financial services company, acquired the naming rights to the new stadium under a 20-year deal valued at over $30 million per year.

2019: Original Completion Target

In 2019, SoFi Stadium was originally expected to be completed, before delays pushed the date to 2020.

January 2020: Construction 85 Percent Complete

In January 2020, Demoff announced that SoFi Stadium construction was 85 percent complete, with roof and oculus work, as well as seat installation, still in progress.

February 2020: Crane Collapse

In February 2020, a large crane collapsed at the SoFi Stadium construction site, but no one was injured.

March 2020: Construction Continues Amid Pandemic

In March 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders, SoFi Stadium construction continued with social distancing and heightened health and safety standards, as it was exempted as a critical infrastructure project.

May 2020: NFL Approves Additional Loans

In May 2020, the NFL approved another $500 million in loans for SoFi Stadium, bringing the total cost to $5.5 billion.

June 5, 2020: Construction Halted After Worker's Death

On June 5, 2020, construction on SoFi Stadium was temporarily halted after an ironworker fell to his death through a hole in the roof.

June 9, 2020: Construction Resumes, Except on Roof

On June 9, 2020, construction on SoFi Stadium resumed everywhere but the roof, following a temporary halt due to a worker's death.

August 22, 2020: Rams Hold First Practice

On August 22, 2020, the Los Angeles Rams held their first practice at SoFi Stadium.

September 2020: SoFi Stadium Opens

In September 2020, SoFi Stadium officially opened. The stadium boasts a capacity of 70,240, expandable to over 100,000 for major events, and features a translucent roof made of ETFE panels for sunlight and climate control.

2020: Revised Completion Target

In 2020, SoFi Stadium was revised to be completed.

2020: Raiders Move to Allegiant Stadium

In 2020, after the Chargers exercised their option to play at SoFi Stadium, the Raiders moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and began play at Allegiant Stadium.

2020: Summer Concerts Cancelled/Postponed

In 2020, all of the originally announced summer concerts at SoFi Stadium were cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic, including Taylor Swift's Lover Fest and tours by Guns N' Roses, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Mötley Crüe, and Def Leppard.

2020: Stadium Opening Delayed

In 2020, the opening of SoFi Stadium was delayed, leading to the re-awarding of Super Bowl LV.

May 2, 2021: Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World

On May 2, 2021, SoFi Stadium hosted its first major event with spectators present, the filming of the Global Citizen-organized concert special Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World, hosted by Selena Gomez and featuring Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, the Foo Fighters, H.E.R., J Balvin, and the Duke of Sussex, which aimed to promote COVID-19 vaccination.

May 15, 2021: First Athletic Contest with Spectators

On May 15, 2021, SoFi Stadium hosted its first athletic contest with spectators present. The LA Giltinis defeated the Utah Warriors 38-27 in a Major League Rugby match before 4,880 spectators.

June 28, 2021: YouTube Theater Naming

On June 28, 2021, the performance venue at SoFi Stadium was officially named YouTube Theater.

September 8, 2021: NFL Opens West Coast Campus at Hollywood Park

On September 8, 2021, the NFL opened a new west coast campus in a seven-story office tower at Hollywood Park next to SoFi Stadium. "NFL Los Angeles" features office space, a studio, conference rooms, soundstages, and an outdoor studio and houses NFL Media.

September 12, 2021: First NFL Regular-Season Game with Fans

On September 12, 2021, the Los Angeles Rams hosted the Chicago Bears in the first NFL regular-season game at SoFi Stadium with fans in attendance. The Rams won 34-14 before a crowd of 70,445.

October 4, 2021: First NFL Game Lightning Delay

On October 4, 2021, the open sides of SoFi Stadium made it vulnerable to lightning delays, resulting in the first such delay during an NFL game between the Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders.

2021: Potential Completion Year

2021 was mentioned as a potential year for the completion of the SoFi Stadium

2021: Original Hosting of Super Bowl LV

In 2021, SoFi Stadium was originally scheduled to host Super Bowl LV, but it was re-awarded to Tampa due to construction delays.

2021: Rams Win NFC Championship

In 2021, the Rams won the NFC Championship Game, earning them the chance to play Super Bowl LVI in their home stadium.

2021: Inaugural LA Bowl

In 2021, the inaugural edition of the LA Bowl (Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk) was held at SoFi Stadium, featuring Utah State defeating Oregon State 24–13.

2021: NFL Media Facility Completed

In 2021, the new NFL Media facility neighboring the stadium was completed.

February 13, 2022: Super Bowl LVI

On February 13, 2022, SoFi Stadium hosted Super Bowl LVI, marking the first Super Bowl in the Los Angeles area since 1993.

August 3, 2022: Club Friendly Doubleheader

On August 3, 2022, SoFi Stadium hosted a club friendly doubleheader between MLS and Liga MX clubs, featuring the Los Angeles Galaxy defeating Chivas Guadalajara and Los Angeles FC losing to Club America.

2022: Kenny Chesney, Mötley Crüe, and Def Leppard at SoFi Stadium

In 2022, Kenny Chesney (Chillaxification Tour), Mötley Crüe, and Def Leppard (The Stadium Tour) performed at SoFi Stadium after having their 2020 concerts cancelled.

2022: First Stadium to Host Conference Championship and Super Bowl in Same Year

In 2022, SoFi Stadium became the first stadium to host a conference championship game and the Super Bowl in the same year. The Rams won the 2021 NFC Championship Game and played Super Bowl LVI in their home stadium.

2022: Super Bowl LVI Hosted

In 2022, SoFi Stadium hosted Super Bowl LVI, marking a major event for the stadium.

January 9, 2023: 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship

On January 9, 2023, SoFi Stadium hosted the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, where the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the TCU Horned Frogs 65-7.

April 29, 2023: First Monster Jam Event

On April 29, 2023, SoFi Stadium hosted its first-ever Monster Jam event, with Grave Digger winning the overall event championship.

July 16, 2023: 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final

On July 16, 2023, SoFi Stadium hosted the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, where Mexico won 1-0 against Panama.

September 2023: Revenue Sharing Dispute

In September 2023, Stan Kroenke threatened to pull hosting matches from SoFi Stadium due to a dispute regarding revenue sharing between him and FIFA.

October 13, 2023: First High School Football Game

On October 13, 2023, SoFi Stadium hosted its first high school football game between Warren High School and Downey High School, with Warren defeating Downey 28–21.

2023: WrestleMania 39

In 2023, SoFi Stadium hosted WrestleMania 39 on April 1 and 2. This WWE event was the highest-grossing in WWE history, with a gate of $21.6 million and 161,892 attendees.

2023: Hosted College Football Playoff National Championship, WrestleMania 39, and CONCACAF Gold Cup final

In 2023, SoFi Stadium was the venue for the College Football Playoff National Championship, WrestleMania 39, and the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, adding to its repertoire of major sporting events.

2023: Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour

In 2023, Taylor Swift concluded the U.S. leg of The Eras Tour at SoFi Stadium.

January 2024: Confirmation of Hosting Matches

In January 2024, it was confirmed that SoFi Stadium would still be hosting matches for the FIFA World Cup despite the revenue sharing dispute.

February 4, 2024: SoFi Stadium to Host US Opening Match

On February 4, 2024, it was announced that SoFi Stadium would host the opening match for the United States 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

On May 4, 2024, SoFi Stadium hosted the City Year Los Angeles Spring Break Fundraiser, featuring a performance by John Legend.

May 18, 2024: Monster Jam World Finals 23

On May 18, 2024, SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host Monster Jam World Finals 23.

October 18, 2024: Servite vs. St. John Bosco High School Football Game

On October 18, 2024, SoFi Stadium hosted a high school football game between Servite and St. John Bosco, with St. John Bosco defeating Servite 27-17.

October 25, 2024: Garfield vs. Roosevelt High School Football Game

On October 25, 2024, SoFi Stadium hosted a high school football game between East Los Angeles rivals Garfield High School and Roosevelt High School, with Garfield defeating Roosevelt 38-28.

2024: Hosting Matches During 2024 Copa América

In 2024, SoFi Stadium hosted two matches during the Copa América tournament.

2024: Swimming Events at SoFi Stadium

In 2024, SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host swimming events during the second week of the Games. This will be in a planned configuration seating 38,000 spectators, making it the largest swimming venue in Olympic history.

2024: Inglewood Transit Connector Project Cancelled

In 2024, the Inglewood Transit Connector project, which proposed building a 1.6-mile automated people mover, was cancelled.

February 1, 2025: Honda Battle of the Bands

On February 1, 2025, SoFi Stadium hosted the Honda Battle of the Bands, marking the first time the event was held on the West Coast.

May 17, 2025: Monster Jam Returned

On May 17, 2025, Monster Jam returned to SoFi Stadium.

2025: Hosting 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup and Nations League Finals

In 2025, SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host matches during the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

June 12, 2026: SoFi Stadium to Host US Opening Match

On June 12, 2026, SoFi Stadium will host the opening match for the United States during the FIFA World Cup.

June 25, 2026: SoFi Stadium to Host US Third Group Match

On June 25, 2026, SoFi Stadium will host the United States' third group match during the FIFA World Cup.

2026: SoFi Stadium to Host 2026 FIFA World Cup Matches

In 2026, SoFi Stadium is one of sixteen venues set to host matches during the FIFA World Cup.

2026: Scheduled to host FIFA World Cup matches

In 2026, SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host eight matches during the FIFA World Cup, adding to its global significance.

2026: Temporary Renaming for 2026 FIFA World Cup

In 2026, SoFi Stadium will be temporarily renamed to "Los Angeles Stadium" for the FIFA World Cup.

February 14, 2027: Super Bowl LXI

On February 14, 2027, SoFi Stadium will host Super Bowl LXI, marking its second Super Bowl.

2027: Hosting 2027 CONCACAF Nations League Finals

In 2027, SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host matches during the CONCACAF Nations League Finals.

2027: Scheduled to host Super Bowl LXI

In 2027, SoFi Stadium is slated to host Super Bowl LXI.

2028: Scheduled to host 2028 Summer Olympics opening ceremony and swimming events

In 2028, SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host the opening ceremony and swimming events for the Summer Olympics.

2028: Temporary Renaming for 2028 Summer Olympics

In 2028, SoFi Stadium will be temporarily renamed to "2028 Stadium" for the duration of the Summer Olympics.

2028: 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics

In 2028, SoFi Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, with a split format also incorporating the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.