Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
A monumental civic memorial and Olympic venue, this multi-purpose stadium in Exposition Park has hosted three Summer Games and remains a landmark of American sports and architectural ambition.
At a glance
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a multi-purpose stadium that opened in 1923 as a memorial to Los Angeles veterans of World War I. Located in Exposition Park adjacent to the University of Southern California’s main campus, it serves as home to the USC Trojans football team and is jointly owned by the State of California, Los Angeles County, and the City of Los Angeles. The stadium’s current capacity is 77,500 following a $315 million renovation completed in 2019.
History
Commissioned in 1921 as an expression of civic pride, the Coliseum was completed in 1923. It was designated a National Historic Landmark on July 27, 1984, the day before the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics.
The stadium hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1958 to 1961, including games three, four, and five of the 1959 World Series. It was the site of the first AFL–NFL World Championship Game (Super Bowl I) and later Super Bowl VII. The Los Angeles Rams called it home from 1946 to 1979 and again from 2016 to 2019.
In 2019, USC completed a two-year major renovation managed by architectural firm DLR Group, funded entirely by the university. The project marked the first major upgrade in twenty years.
What you see
The stadium’s distinctive design reflects early twentieth-century civic ambition. The 2019 renovation replaced seating throughout the structure and added luxury boxes and club suites while reducing overall capacity from 92,348 to 77,500 seats—prioritizing comfort and amenities over raw attendance numbers.
Cultural significance
The Coliseum will become the first stadium to host the Summer Olympics three times when it welcomes the 2028 Games, having previously hosted in 1932 and 1984. Its role in hosting both the opening of the modern Olympic movement in Los Angeles and major professional sports championships makes it central to American sports history. As a World War I memorial, it also embodies the nation’s tribute to military service.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- City: Los Angeles
- Completed: 1923
- Designated National Historic Landmark: July 27, 1984
- Current capacity: 77,500
- Coordinates: 34.01°N, 118.29°W
- Home team: USC Trojans (Big Ten Conference)
- Upcoming: 2028 Summer Olympics (third Olympic hosting)
Practical information & getting there
The Coliseum is located in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, directly adjacent to USC’s main University Park campus. It is managed and operated by the Auxiliary Services Department of the University of Southern California. For current events, hours, and ticket information, contact USC or visit the venue’s official website.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una fotoDo you manage this place?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Keep it accurate — and make it work for you. Free for non-profit heritage institutions.