Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a historic outdoor stadium located in Exposition Park. It is one of the largest venues in Los Angeles and has served as a host for two Summer Olympic Games and a Super Bowl. The stadium is owned by the State of California and has been the home field for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans football team since its opening.

History

The stadium was commissioned as a memorial to L.A. veterans and constructed for $954,000, opening in 1923 before a crowd of over 25,000 for a USC Trojans football game. Its significance grew when it was selected as the centerpiece for the 1932 Summer Olympics, leading to its first major expansion. The venue later played a pivotal role in the 1984 Summer Olympics, serving as the main stadium for ceremonies and track and field events. Throughout the 20th century, it became intertwined with the growth of professional sports in Los Angeles, hosting numerous franchises and landmark events that shaped the city's cultural landscape.

Architecture and features

Designed by the noted architectural firm of John and Donald B. Parkinson, the original structure featured a distinctive peristyle arch at the east end, inspired by the architecture of ancient Rome. The most recognizable feature, the Olympic Cauldron, was added for the 1932 Summer Olympics and is still lit for special occasions. Subsequent renovations have added press boxes, luxury suites, and a massive HDTV video board, while maintaining the historic facade. The playing field is natural grass and sits below street level, with the iconic Los Angeles Times building clock tower visible over the peristyle from within the stadium.

Notable events

Beyond the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics, the stadium has hosted a wide array of historic gatherings. It was the site of Super Bowl I in 1967 and Super Bowl VII in 1973, and served as the home field for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers from 1958 to 1961 following their move from Brooklyn. It has held numerous concerts by legendary acts like The Rolling Stones, U2, and Bruce Springsteen, and was the venue for a 1963 speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a 1972 address by Pope John Paul II. The FIFA World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup have also held matches there.

Tenants and usage

The primary and longest-tenant is the University of Southern California USC Trojans football team. It has also been home to several professional franchises, including the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) twice (1946–1979, 2016–2019), the Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1994), and the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). It served as the temporary home for UCLA Bruins football in 1982 and hosted the Los Angeles Chargers during their inaugural 1960 American Football League season. The stadium is also used for LA Galaxy soccer matches, X Games competitions, and major entertainment events.

Renovations and preservation

Major renovations occurred in 1930–1931 for the Olympics, expanding capacity to over 100,000, and in 1993 to accommodate the return of the Los Angeles Raiders. A $315 million modernization from 2017 to 2019, led by architectural firms Buro Happold and Gensler, added new seating, premium clubs, and improved amenities while carefully preserving the historic peristyle and facade. The stadium is designated a National Historic Landmark and a California Historical Landmark, ensuring its architectural integrity is maintained for future generations while meeting modern standards for safety and fan experience.

Category:Stadiums in Los Angeles Category:National Historic Landmarks in California Category:Olympic stadiums