Banc of California Stadium

Banc of California Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. It is the home of Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) of Major League Soccer and the first open-air stadium built in Los Angeles since Dodger Stadium in 1962. The venue is notable for its urban integration and commitment to sustainability, achieving a LEED Gold certification.

History

The stadium's development was spearheaded by the ownership group of Los Angeles Football Club, which included investors like Peter Guber, Larry Berg, and Bennett Rosenthal. The project was announced in 2015, with the club securing a 40-year lease on a parcel of land owned by the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission. Construction, managed by Turner Construction, began in August 2016 after the demolition of the former Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. The stadium opened on April 18, 2018, with a match against the Seattle Sounders FC, and its naming rights were acquired by Banc of California in a 15-year agreement. The venue's development was a key part of the revitalization of the Exposition Park area.

Design and features

Designed by the architecture firm Gensler, the stadium features a sleek, modern aesthetic with a steep seating bowl designed to create an intense atmosphere, drawing inspiration from iconic European grounds like Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion. Key design elements include a translucent ETFE roof canopy that covers 85% of the seats while leaving the pitch open to the elements, and the prominent "365" bar that offers views of the Los Angeles skyline and the field. The stadium was built with a hybrid grass playing surface and incorporates numerous sustainable features, including a 6,000-square-foot solar array, extensive use of reclaimed water, and preferred parking for electric vehicles, which contributed to its LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Events

Beyond Los Angeles Football Club matches, the stadium hosts a wide array of events, establishing itself as a major concert and entertainment venue. It has featured performances by major artists such as The Rolling Stones, Kenny Chesney, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. The stadium has also been the site for international soccer matches, including fixtures for the United States men's national soccer team and the United States women's national soccer team, as well as CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONCACAF Nations League games. Other notable events have included rugby union matches, the X Games, and college football's LA Bowl.

Tenants

The primary and founding tenant is Los Angeles Football Club of Major League Soccer, which began play in the stadium at its opening in 2018. The stadium also serves as the home for the club's affiliated National Women's Soccer League team, Angel City FC, which started play in 2022. This makes it one of the few professional stadiums in the United States to host both a top-flight men's and women's soccer team. The venue has also temporarily hosted other teams, such as Major League Rugby's LA Giltinis during their inaugural season.

Transportation and access

The stadium is highly accessible via multiple forms of public transportation, a key feature of its urban design. It is directly served by the Expo Park/USC station on the Metro Rail E Line and is within walking distance of the Jefferson/USC station on the J Line. Numerous LADOT and Metro bus lines serve the Exposition Park area. For those driving, the stadium is adjacent to the Harbor Freeway and the Santa Monica Freeway, though it promotes alternative transit through partnerships with Uber and Lyft and offers extensive bicycle parking facilities. Category:Soccer venues in Los Angeles Category:Los Angeles Football Club Category:Buildings and structures in Los Angeles Category:2018 establishments in California