SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California stands ready to make history as one of the premier venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This magnificent stadium, home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, will transform into a global soccer destination during the summer of 2026.
I’ve researched all the important details about this incredible venue, from its massive capacity to its precise location and the lasting impact it will have on soccer in America.
The 2026 World Cup represents a major milestone for North American soccer, and SoFi Stadium will be at the heart of this momentous occasion.
SoFi Stadium: A Billion-Dollar Marvel in Inglewood
Located at 1001 South Stadium Drive in Inglewood, California, SoFi Stadium sits approximately 4 kilometers from Los Angeles International Airport. The stadium’s exact coordinates are 33.953587, -118.339630, placing it in a prime location within the bustling Los Angeles metropolitan area.
This architectural wonder opened on September 8, 2020, after four years of construction that began in 2016. The stadium forms the centerpiece of a massive 298-acre complex known as Hollywood Park, which includes housing, retail spaces, offices, a hotel, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
What makes SoFi Stadium truly remarkable is its staggering cost. At approximately $5.5 billion, it holds the distinction of being the most expensive stadium ever built. For context, the second most expensive stadium, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, cost $1.9 billion – less than half of SoFi’s price tag.
The stadium is owned by StadCo LA, LLC, a company under Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, led by Stan Kroenke, who also owns Arsenal Football Club and several other major sports franchises.
Stadium Capacity and World-Class Facilities
SoFi Stadium boasts a standard capacity of 70,240 seats, making it one of the larger venues selected for the 2026 World Cup. For major events, the stadium can expand to accommodate up to 100,240 spectators, creating an electric atmosphere for crucial matches.
The venue includes 260 executive suites and 13,000 premium seats, offering luxurious options for those seeking an elevated matchday experience.
The stadium’s design is equally impressive as its capacity. Created by architectural firm HKS, SoFi Stadium features a distinctive translucent roof that covers not only the playing field but also an adjacent plaza and the 6,000-seat YouTube Theater.
This canopy allows natural light to filter through the venue even as it protects fans from the elements. One of the stadium’s most innovative features is the Infinity Screen by Samsung, a massive double-sided 4K video board that weighs 2.2 million pounds and provides spectacular visuals for everyone in attendance.
Despite being built primarily for American football, SoFi Stadium will undergo significant modifications to accommodate international soccer. The playing surface currently uses artificial Matrix Turf, but FIFA requires natural grass for all World Cup matches. Additionally, the field dimensions must expand considerably to meet international soccer standards.
Modifications for FIFA World Cup 26
For the World Cup, SoFi Stadium faces several crucial modifications to meet FIFA’s stringent requirements. The most significant challenge involves the field width. FIFA mandates all playing surfaces must measure at least 68 meters (74.4 yards) wide with a total field area of at least 85 meters by 125 meters (93 yards by 136.7 yards).
The current configuration, designed for NFL games, measures only 53.3 yards wide (plus 4 yards of sideline), making it substantially narrower than required.
To address this issue, construction began in February 2024 to install retractable corner seats throughout the lower bowl. This innovative solution replaces concrete sections with bleacher risers that can be rolled back during soccer matches, effectively increasing the field width without permanently altering the stadium’s structure.
According to Los Angeles Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff, “It’s really just changing pre-cast concrete in the corners of the stadium to a more retractable system. We’ll have the exact same seating capacity, exact same format and layout. The only difference will be a few of the rows in the corners will be on retractable seating versus permanent seating.”
Beyond the retractable seating, SoFi Stadium must also replace its artificial turf with natural grass for the World Cup. This temporary grass surface must be sturdy enough to endure eight matches over six weeks, including potentially high-profile knockout games.
These modifications represent a significant investment by the stadium’s ownership, demonstrating their commitment to hosting a successful World Cup.
SoFi Stadium’s Role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup
SoFi Stadium will play a prominent role in the 2026 World Cup, hosting eight matches in total. Most notably, the stadium will host the United States men’s national team’s opening match and two of its three group stage games. This gives the venue particular significance for American fans eager to cheer on their team.
In addition to the U.S. team’s matches, SoFi Stadium will host five preliminary-round games in total, followed by two round-of-32 knockout matches and a prestigious quarterfinal scheduled for July 10, 2026. These high-stakes matches will bring some of the world’s best players and most passionate fan bases to Inglewood.
Initially, SoFi Stadium was considered a strong contender to host the World Cup final. However, multiple media reports suggest AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas will likely secure the championship match instead. Nevertheless, hosting a quarterfinal and the U.S. team’s opener ensures SoFi Stadium remains central to the tournament’s narrative.
Economic Impact and Benefits for Los Angeles
The 2026 World Cup promises substantial economic benefits for host cities, including Los Angeles. The tournament is expected to generate between $5 billion and $6 billion across all host nations, with individual cities receiving hundreds of millions each from tourism, advertising, and job creation.
For Los Angeles specifically, the World Cup means an influx of international visitors, creating opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transportation services, and local attractions. The 1994 World Cup in the United States generated over $1.4 billion for host cities, and the 2026 tournament, with more games and teams, will likely exceed those figures considerably.
Beyond immediate economic impacts, hosting World Cup matches creates temporary and permanent jobs in construction, event management, hospitality, security, and tourism sectors. The infrastructure improvements required for the tournament often bring lasting benefits to local communities.
For SoFi Stadium and the surrounding Hollywood Park development, the global exposure from the World Cup reinforces Los Angeles as a premier destination for international sporting events.
Challenges and Controversies Surrounding SoFi’s World Cup Role
Despite its selection as a World Cup venue, SoFi Stadium has faced several challenges. Perhaps most notably, tensions have emerged between FIFA and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment regarding revenue sharing arrangements. According to reports, the stadium owners had anticipated recouping their upfront investments through commercial assets like sponsorship, ticketing, and hospitality, but these arrangements have not materialized as expected.
The disagreements became so significant that some reports indicated the Kroenke group threatened to withdraw from hosting World Cup matches altogether. These disputes highlight the complex financial considerations involved in staging global sporting events, especially at privately owned venues like SoFi Stadium.
Another challenge involves the field modifications required by FIFA. The narrow field configuration, designed primarily for NFL football, necessitates expensive alterations to accommodate international soccer.
These modifications represent a significant investment and logistical challenge, especially since they must be implemented shortly before the tournament and potentially reversed afterward.
SoFi Stadium Compared to Other World Cup 2026 Venues
Among the 16 stadiums selected to host the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, SoFi Stadium ranks as the seventh-largest venue by capacity. The largest stadium for the tournament is Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with a capacity of 87,523, followed by MetLife Stadium in New Jersey with 82,500 seats.
SoFi Stadium stands out for its modern amenities and recent construction. Most other host venues were built earlier and have undergone renovations to prepare for the World Cup. SoFi, having opened in 2020, represents the newest generation of stadium design.
The venue’s location in Los Angeles also provides unique advantages. The city’s multicultural population ensures passionate support for many participating nations, creating vibrant atmospheres for matches regardless of which teams compete. Additionally, Los Angeles offers tremendous tourist appeal for international visitors, with attractions ranging from Hollywood to beaches to theme parks.
FAQs
1. Where exactly is SoFi Stadium located?
SoFi Stadium is located at 1001 South Stadium Drive in Inglewood, California, approximately 4 kilometers from Los Angeles International Airport. Its precise coordinates are 33.953587, -118.339630.
2. What is the capacity of SoFi Stadium for World Cup matches?
The standard capacity is 70,240, but it can be expanded to accommodate up to 100,240 spectators for major events like World Cup matches.
3. How many World Cup 2026 matches will SoFi Stadium host?
SoFi Stadium will host eight matches in total, including five preliminary-round games, two round-of-32 knockout matches, and a quarterfinal on July 10, 2026.
4. Will SoFi Stadium host the World Cup final?
Despite early considerations, SoFi Stadium is unlikely to host the final match. Most reports indicate AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas will likely host the championship game.
5. What modifications are needed for SoFi Stadium to host World Cup matches?
Two major modifications are required: installing natural grass to replace the artificial turf and expanding the field width using retractable corner seating to meet FIFA’s minimum requirements of 68 meters (74.4 yards) wide.
6. Who owns SoFi Stadium?
SoFi Stadium is owned by StadCo LA, LLC, a company under Kroenke Sports & Entertainment led by Stan Kroenke, who also owns Arsenal Football Club and several other major sports franchises.
7. How much did SoFi Stadium cost to build?
SoFi Stadium cost approximately $5.5 billion to build, making it the most expensive stadium ever constructed.
8. Will the United States national team play at SoFi Stadium during the World Cup?
Yes, SoFi Stadium will host the United States men’s national team’s opening match and two of its three group stage games.
9. When did construction begin on modifying SoFi Stadium for the World Cup?
Construction on the retractable corner seating began in February 2024, with the modifications scheduled to be completed well before the tournament in 2026.
10. What other facilities are part of the SoFi Stadium complex?
SoFi Stadium is the centerpiece of a 298-acre Hollywood Park development that includes housing, retail spaces, offices, a hotel, restaurants, a 6,000-seat YouTube Theater, and various entertainment venues.
