SoFi Stadium is the centerpiece of Hollywood Park, a sports and entertainment development in Inglewood, California. Its history reaches back to the former Hollywood Park Racetrack, while its design pairs a translucent roof with an open-air feel and a covered outdoor plaza.
- Location: Inglewood, California
- Development: 298 acres at the former Hollywood Park Racetrack site
- Design: HKS Architects, with an indoor-outdoor stadium concept
From project to stadium
SoFi Stadium began as part of the redevelopment of the former Hollywood Park Racetrack site.
The project broke ground in November 2016. The stadium is now the centerpiece of Hollywood Park, a 298-acre sports and entertainment development. Its virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on September 8, 2020, marking the start of the stadium’s inaugural year.
HKS Architects designed the stadium, which is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. Its location near Los Angeles International Airport also influenced a key decision below ground: the seating bowl sits 100 feet below existing grade. The site is three miles from LAX, and the bowl’s position responds to Federal Aviation Administration height regulations.
The stadium’s design features
SoFi Stadium’s design combines a roofed stadium bowl with open sides and a large canopy over an outdoor plaza.
HKS describes the venue as an open-air, indoor-outdoor stadium with 3.1 million square feet of space. The translucent ETFE roof is intended to bring in natural light while offering weather protection. Its film has a 65% frit pattern to shade guests from direct sun and reduce solar gain.
The roof includes 46 panels that can open and close to promote airflow, depending on climatic conditions. A long-span cable structure supports the roof, anchored to the ground at four locations. The stadium itself has no exterior walls.
The canopy also covers American Airlines Plaza, a 3-acre outdoor event space. Nearby, YouTube Theater is a fully enclosed indoor performance venue with 6,000 seats. The stadium bowl, theater and plaza are separated structures, allowing them to move independently during seismic shifts.
Events that shaped its profile
Major sporting events have helped establish SoFi Stadium as a high-profile venue.
The stadium hosted Super Bowl LVI in 2022 and the College Football National Championship game in 2023. Those events followed its 2020 opening ceremony and brought national attention to the new venue.
For practical planning, event schedules and entry arrangements depend on the specific event. If you’re attending, the guide to SoFi Stadium tickets and entry basics covers the essentials.
What visitors can see from outside
From outside, the stadium’s canopy and covered plaza are its defining public-facing features.
The roof’s broad profile and the open-sided structure are part of the stadium’s exterior character. American Airlines Plaza sits beneath the canopy, linking the stadium design with an outdoor event space. Hollywood Park’s wider development surrounds the venue, though the stadium remains its focal point.
Public access for exterior viewing, opening hours, tours and admission fees are not established as regular visitor offerings. Check the official site before you go, especially if you’re planning a visit outside an event.
SoFi Stadium is about 5.0 miles from Gardena Terrace Inn. You can browse the inn’s room options when planning a stay in Gardena.
FAQs
Where is SoFi Stadium?
SoFi Stadium is in Inglewood, California, and is the centerpiece of Hollywood Park.
Who designed SoFi Stadium?
HKS Architects designed the stadium.
What makes the roof distinctive?
The translucent ETFE roof is designed to admit natural light and provide weather protection. Its 46 panels can open and close to promote airflow, depending on climatic conditions.
Can you visit SoFi Stadium without an event ticket?
Regular public access for exterior viewing, tours, opening hours and admission fees are not established. Check the official site before planning a visit.