Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is making headlines with its plan to build the most expensive privately financed soccer stadium in the country, set to replace the historic Sports Arena site. This world-class, $250-million complex will span 15 acres near the L.A. Memorial Coliseum and feature a 22,000-seat stadium. Scheduled to debut in 2018, it will be the first open-air professional sports venue built in L.A. since Dodger Stadium opened in 1962.
Located in Exposition Park, where the iconic Sports Arena has stood since 1959, the new stadium will not only serve as the home for LAFC but also include a conference center, restaurants, and a soccer museum. According to LAFC, the stadium is designed to embody the spirit of American soccer and Greater Los Angeles, blending into the community while offering a unique experience for fans.
The project will be funded by the team and its ownership group, which includes notable figures like former Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, Mandalay Entertainment CEO Peter Guber, self-help author Tony Robbins, and soccer legend Mia Hamm along with her husband, former baseball all-star Nomar Garciaparra. The group estimates that the construction will create 1,200 temporary jobs and 1,800 full-time positions.
With the support of such a dynamic ownership team, LAFC’s new stadium is poised to become a significant landmark in Los Angeles, reflecting the city’s diversity and passion for soccer.