SoFi Stadium Fast Facts
When Was SoFi Stadium Built?
SoFi Stadium broke ground on November 17, 2016 on the site of the former Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood. The project was led by Rams owner Stan Kroenke, who had purchased the 298-acre Hollywood Park property years earlier as part of a long-term plan to bring the NFL back to Los Angeles. Construction took approximately four years, far longer than comparable stadium builds due to the scale of the project and the unique engineering requirements.
One of the most significant engineering challenges was the FAA restriction on building heights near Los Angeles International Airport. The stadium sits within a flight path, which required large portions of the building's infrastructure to be built underground to keep the overall roofline within FAA limits. This constraint added substantially to the total construction cost and timeline.
The stadium opened on September 13, 2020 — but opened without fans due to COVID-19 protocols. The most expensive stadium ever built played its first full NFL season in front of empty seats. Fans were finally allowed inside starting with the August 2021 preseason, nearly a year after the building opened.
The $5.5 Billion Stadium
At approximately $5.5 billion, SoFi Stadium is the most expensive stadium ever built in the world. The original budget was closer to $2.6 billion when the project was announced, but costs escalated significantly as the scope expanded, underground infrastructure requirements increased, and the surrounding Hollywood Park campus development was incorporated.
The Infinity Screen — the massive dual-sided video board that hangs above the field and weighs over 2.2 million pounds — was one of the signature cost drivers. The screen spans approximately 70,000 square feet across both sides and required an enormous suspension structure to support it. It is visible from both end zones simultaneously, a feature unique among NFL stadiums.
The ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) translucent roof canopy is another feature that set the cost apart. Unlike a traditional steel-and-concrete roof, ETFE allows natural light to filter through while providing full coverage of the seating bowl. The result is a covered, open-air environment that qualifies for warm-weather Super Bowls while still offering sun and rain protection.
Why Is It Called SoFi Stadium?
SoFi stands for Social Finance, a San Francisco-based fintech company now known as SoFi Technologies. The company offers student loan refinancing, personal loans, mortgages, and banking services. SoFi signed a naming rights deal with the Rams in September 2019, reportedly worth approximately $625 million over 20 years — one of the largest naming rights deals in sports history at the time.
Before the SoFi deal, the stadium was publicly called the Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park during planning and construction. Some media referred to it informally as the Rams stadium or “The New Stadium.” The SoFi name was finalized before the stadium opened, giving the new venue a clear brand identity from day one.
The naming deal runs through approximately 2039. SoFi Technologies went public in 2021 through a SPAC merger, which gave the brand significantly more public exposure in the months around the stadium's first full season with fans.
Super Bowl, World Cup, and Olympics
SoFi Stadium hosted Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 before a crowd of 70,048. It was the first Super Bowl won by a team playing in its home market since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. For Inglewood, it was the highest-profile event the city had ever hosted.
Looking ahead, SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host 8 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches — including Group Stage games, a Round of 32, a Quarterfinal, and a Semifinal — between June and July 2026. The tournament brings an international audience that will dwarf any prior event at the stadium.
In 2028, SoFi Stadium will host the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, athletics (track and field), and the men's soccer gold medal match for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics. These events — especially the opening ceremony — will be among the most-watched television moments in history. The Olympic designation confirms SoFi Stadium's place among the most important sports venues in the world.
SoFi Stadium Timeline
Stan Kroenke acquires the former Hollywood Park Racetrack site in Inglewood. Plans begin to develop a mixed-use campus including a new NFL stadium. The Los Angeles Rams are still based in St. Louis at this point.
The Los Angeles Rams officially relocate from St. Louis to Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Chargers announce they will share the new stadium as a second tenant. Groundbreaking for SoFi Stadium occurs in November.
Construction progresses significantly. The distinctive ETFE roof canopy structure begins to take shape. The Infinity Screen — a dual-sided, 70,000-square-foot video board — begins installation above the field.
SoFi Technologies signs a 20-year naming rights deal reportedly worth $625 million. The stadium is officially named SoFi Stadium. The Los Angeles Olympics Committee announces the stadium will host the 2028 opening and closing ceremonies.
SoFi Stadium opens September 13 with a Rams preseason game. COVID-19 prevents fans from attending. The stadium hosts its first NFL regular season games without crowds — surreal for a $5.5 billion building.
Fans attend SoFi Stadium for the first time in August 2021 for NFL preseason games. Super Bowl LVI is awarded to the stadium. The 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship is also confirmed. Taylor Swift, BTS, and other major acts book the stadium.
Super Bowl LVI is played on February 13. The Los Angeles Rams defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in front of 70,048 fans. It is the first Super Bowl won by a home-market team. The game cements SoFi Stadium as one of the NFL's marquee venues.
The stadium hosts the College Football Playoff National Championship (January) and multiple major concert tours, including Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. SoFi Stadium cements its status as one of the most in-demand large-venue spaces in the country.
FIFA World Cup 2026: SoFi Stadium hosts 8 matches, including a Round of 32, a Quarterfinal, and a Semifinal between June and July. The venue will see an international audience unlike anything it has hosted since opening.
Los Angeles Olympics: SoFi Stadium hosts the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, track and field events, and the men's soccer gold medal match. One of the most-watched events in history will occur in the Hollywood Park campus.