Having inherited two NFL franchises over the past decade, the city of Los Angeles is still trying to build its professional football identity. But, its new home for these transplants could not be a better reflection of the region at large.
Finally opening in 2020 to relieve the L.A. Coliseum and Dignity Health Sports Park of Rams and Chargers home games, SoFi Stadium has been well worth the wait.
Opened: 2020
City: Inglewood, California
Capacity: 70,240
Visited: Dec 2023
Location
Almost as dazzling as the stadium itself is the campus on which SoFi Stadium resides, Hollywood Park, which sits just south of Inglewood's former event space, The Forum. The aesthetically-pleasing sports district that includes a lake, casino and NFL Network offices - and will soon welcome the L.A. Clippers - has helped rebrand central Inglewood and its surrounding neighborhoods.
The venue, however, is not necessarily the easiest to reach. The general nightmare of commuting in LA is mitigated for those that fly in, stay next to LAX and have a straight shot to the stadium via Century Boulevard. But local game attendees are more likely to get bottled up on the 405 or 105 freeways on their way to the stadium and then sit through backups on the local roads leading into SoFi's parking grounds.
The cost of the gas you burned getting to the stadium will be a drop in the bucket compared to what it costs to park at SoFi. If you decide to forego the local lot / homeowner parking options on the way in, expect to pay at least $60 in the stadium lots.
Score: 2/5
Venue
Its newness aside, SoFi Stadium is one of the more impressive sports spectacles you'll encounter. It's a truly treat to view in person, or even from above while flying into or out of LAX.
The building has a very unique design, with a triangular roof that overlays both the playing field and bountiful collection of onsite amenities. Open-air constructs behind each endzone allow for awing, inward views of the field and outward gazes at LA sunsets. Escalators at virtually every stadium entrance make for convenient passage into the main corridors.
It's clear, however, that the stadium was built with the non-football fan in mind.
A large portion of pedestrian space inside has been partitioned into enclosed terraces intended for pre-game festivities and general socializing. These patios, gardens and casual seating areas often run adjacent to suites and VIP sections, but are open to all fans and are a great place to enjoy a beer or chat with friends prior to kickoff.
Unfortunately, this conscious decision to prioritize the social element of gameday comes at the expense of both adequate restroom capacity and walkability in the corridors that connect the stands and concession areas. Getting through these tight walkways can become an adventure in the hour leading up to kickoff, a challenge that is compounded in the privatized stretches of the lower-level perimeter that force the masses to detour into one of the terraces.
Score: 4/5
Accommodations
Like most newer stadiums - and especially those catering to the LA fan base - the SoFi experience is rooted in non-football attractions.
The aforementioned terraces still get plenty of use during the game and, perplexingly, many lack TVs that allow the average disengaged fan to at least keep tabs on the action from afar. On the outskirts of the building are a host of other entertainment outlets, shopping hubs and amenities, including The Equipment Room and YouTube Theatre.
If you are choosey or impatient when it comes to dining, you may strongly consider other options prior to entering the stadium premises. The concessions are not nearly as efficient as their layout would suggest.
For beer enthusiasts expecting to tap into LA's many incredible craft scene, prepare to be disappointed. As of December 2023, Modelo highlights a sparse lineup of mostly light beer, aside from a few kiosks serving just a select few craft beer brands (Elysian, Stone). This has to be particularly disappointing for many Rams season ticketholders that once had access to a dozen-plus local beer/food trucks parked against the L.A. Coliseum gates.
Alongside its many diversions from the game is one area where SoFi doesn't let the vehement fan down: the viewing experience.
The stadium's interior is laden with screens, including its "Infinity Screen" jumbotron that hangs from the ceiling and provides fans sitting in any seat in the building an immaculate view of the game. Further, unlike more remote venues, there is no shortage of internet connectivity for the fan checking fantasy leagues or social media.
Score: 3/5
Atmosphere
SoFi Stadium is less than five years old and, as such, it will take some time to establish a lush gameday culture that turns the occasional attendee into a season ticketholder. For the time being, that type of homefield vibe remains in a nascent state.
You don't need to be a lifelong football fan to know how Rams and Chargers fans stack up against other fan bases. Their relative "loyalty" and overall level of engagement can lead to full-on, visiting-fan takeovers, such as the remarkable number of 49ers fans in attendance during the 2021 NFC Championship.
In the LA fans' defense, certain aspects of the venue don't exactly lend to a rich and authentic gameday experience.
The enormous amount of parking lot space around the stadium is partially compromised due to limitations around the permissible tailgating. Further, despite an open-air design, the experience feels more like a true indoor sports environment, with a strong popcorn stench and gameday music blaring from stadium speakers that makes it hard to communicate with those around you. These traits - along with the startling volume of sponsored infrastructure throughout the stadium - replace what's supposed to be fan-supplied energy with a sterile, marketing-infused aura.
Score: 1/5
Stadium Score: 2.5 / 5