SoFi Stadium Los Angeles: 8 World Cup 2026 Matches

SoFi Stadium in Inglewood (Los Angeles) is the most expensive stadium ever built in sports history at $5.5 billion. With its one-of-a-kind translucent ETFE roof, the largest stadium video board on Earth (the suspended "Infinity Screen"), and 70,240 seats, it's the most modern venue at the 2026 World Cup. It hosts 8 matches including a quarter-final, plus the USA's opening match against Paraguay on June 12. And yes — it'll also host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

This article is part of our deep-dive series on all 16 World Cup 2026 venues. See also our complete venue guide and our breakdowns of Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta and NRG Stadium Houston.

SoFi Stadium by the numbers: $5.5 billion and the world's largest video board

Opened on September 8, 2020 (deep into the pandemic, with no fans for months), SoFi Stadium is a multipurpose venue in Inglewood, just 3 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Designed by HKS and entirely privately financed by Stan Kroenke, it's the most expensive sports construction project in history.

• Address: 1001 Stadium Drive, Inglewood, CA 90301, USA.
• Capacity: 70,240 in standard NFL configuration, expandable to 100,240 for major events (Super Bowl, Olympics).
• Opened: September 8, 2020.
• Construction cost: $5.5 billion (the most expensive stadium ever built).
• Owner: Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (Stan Kroenke, also owner of Arsenal FC and the Denver Nuggets).
• Resident teams: Los Angeles Rams (NFL) and Los Angeles Chargers (NFL).
• Architect: HKS Inc.

Three world-firsts make SoFi Stadium incomparable. First, its fixed roof made of translucent ETFE (a lightweight, ultra-strong polymer) — it lets natural light through while protecting from weather. Not an open-air stadium, not a closed dome, but a kind of "greenhouse stadium." Second, the Infinity Screen: a double-sided display suspended above the field, over 70,000 square feet (7,000 m²) — the largest stadium video board on Earth. Third, the playing field is sunk 100 feet below street level, which reduces the visible height of the structure and minimizes its visual footprint on Inglewood.

The stadium's history: Super Bowl LVI and the 2028 Olympics

Super Bowl LVI (February 13, 2022)

On February 13, 2022, SoFi Stadium hosted Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams (at home) and the Cincinnati Bengals. Final score: 23-20 Rams. It was just the second time in NFL history that a team won the Super Bowl in their own home stadium (after the Buccaneers in 2021). Cooper Kupp won MVP.

Opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Olympics

SoFi Stadium has been chosen to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. It'll also stage the men's and women's Olympic football tournaments. This double mission (World Cup 2026 + Olympics 2028 within two years) makes it the most strategically important venue in the United States for the entire decade.

WrestleMania, college football, and concerts

WrestleMania 39 (April 2023) set ratings records inside the venue. On the music side, Taylor Swift played six Eras Tour dates here in August 2023 (a US stadium attendance record), followed by Beyoncé, Eminem, Bad Bunny, and The Weeknd. The keyword "sofi stadium events" pulls over 12,000 monthly searches in the US.

The ETFE roof and Los Angeles climate

The SoFi Stadium roof is fixed (non-retractable), made of translucent ETFE. The architectural choice reflects LA's mild climate: when it rains less than 40 days a year and temperatures stay temperate year-round, you don't need a retractable roof.

Los Angeles in June and July averages 70-79°F (21-26°C) with moderate humidity (~60%) and almost no precipitation. It's one of the most pleasant climates on the World Cup map — a stark contrast to Houston (95°F/80% humidity) or Miami (91°F/85%). The stadium is partially climate-controlled through the ETFE roof, which filters UV but allows daylight through.

For teams playing at SoFi, this is essentially a neutral-climate venue: no major thermal advantage for heat-adapted squads, no major disadvantage for Nordic teams. That's likely why FIFA has scheduled so many high-stakes matches here (8 total, including a quarter-final).

The 8 World Cup 2026 matches at SoFi Stadium

Following the official FIFA draw on December 5, 2025, SoFi Stadium hosts eight matches at the 2026 World Cup, including the USA's opening match against Paraguay on June 12, four other group stage games, two Round of 32 knockouts, and a quarter-final on July 10. Here's the full schedule:

All times are local Los Angeles time (Pacific Time, PT = UTC-7 in summer). The USA-Paraguay opener (June 12, 6 PM local) is one of three opening matches alongside Mexico-South Africa at Estadio Azteca and Canada-Bosnia at BMO Field.

Betting on SoFi matches: 3 angles to watch

1. Mild climate = no physiological edge

Unlike Houston or Miami where heat favors tropical-adapted teams, SoFi is a thermal neutral ground. No clear edge to any team based on climate alone. Focus on other factors (form, injuries, advanced stats) when handicapping these matches.

2. Media hype on the US side

The USA-Paraguay match on June 12 will trigger massive overhype on the American side. Sportsbooks will likely undervalue Paraguay (10-15% off equilibrium) due to home-field effect plus media support. If you're hunting for value, a Paraguay win or even a draw could be worth a look.

3. The logistical chaos

Inglewood is 3 miles from LAX (one of the busiest airports in the world). Logistics for fans and teams will be complex: legendary LA traffic, scarce hotels in Inglewood (most are downtown, 30 minutes away). Track teams arriving exhausted from long flights — their pre-match recovery day may not be optimal.

To analyze other local factors, see our complete 16-venue guide and our breakdown of Levi's Stadium (SF Bay Area) — California's other 2026 World Cup venue.

How to get to SoFi Stadium

• LAX Airport: 3 miles, 10-15 minutes by car (no traffic — but LA traffic is unpredictable, plan 30-45 minutes during rush hour).
• Metro Crenshaw/LAX Line: in service since 2022, "Downtown Inglewood" station 1 mile from the stadium (10-minute walk).
• Driving: massive on-site parking ($50-80 per match for World Cup, much more for the quarter-final).
• Lodging: downtown LA hotels (DoubleTree, Westin Bonaventure) about 30 minutes by car, or closer options in Marina del Rey or Manhattan Beach.

SoFi Stadium FAQ

What is the capacity of SoFi Stadium?

SoFi Stadium has a standard capacity of 70,240 seats. For major events (Super Bowl, Olympics 2028, international finals), it expands to 100,240 with temporary seating. For the 2026 World Cup, FIFA's configuration plans for around 70,000 fans per match.

How much did SoFi Stadium cost?

Total construction cost was $5.5 billion, making it officially the most expensive stadium ever built — far more than Mercedes-Benz Stadium ($1.6 billion) or NRG Stadium ($449 million). Funding was entirely private, provided by Stan Kroenke.

Is the SoFi Stadium roof open or closed?

The roof is fixed and non-retractable, made of translucent ETFE that lets natural light through while protecting from weather. The choice reflects LA's mild climate: with rain on fewer than 40 days a year, a retractable roof isn't necessary.

Who owns SoFi Stadium?

SoFi Stadium is owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, the holding company of Stan Kroenke, an American billionaire. Kroenke also owns Arsenal FC (Premier League), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), and the Los Angeles Rams. The "SoFi" naming comes from a deal with SoFi Technologies, a US fintech firm.

Why does SoFi Stadium host the 2028 Olympics?

SoFi Stadium has been selected to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. It'll also host the men's and women's Olympic football tournaments. This double role (World Cup 2026 + Olympics 2028 within two years) makes it the most strategically important US venue of the decade.

How many World Cup 2026 matches will SoFi Stadium host?

SoFi Stadium hosts 8 matches at the 2026 World Cup: the USA's opening match (vs Paraguay, June 12), four other group stage matches, two Round of 32 knockouts, and one quarter-final (July 10). Tied with Atlanta and NRG Houston for one of the highest match counts of the tournament.

What concerts have been held at SoFi Stadium?

SoFi Stadium hosts most major world tours: Taylor Swift Eras Tour (6 dates in August 2023, all-time stadium attendance record in the US), The Weeknd (After Hours Til Dawn Tour), Beyoncé Renaissance Tour (2023), Bad Bunny, Eminem, and more recently Coldplay Music of the Spheres Tour. For upcoming dates, check sofistadium.com.

Where can I see SoFi Stadium photos?

For official SoFi Stadium photos, sofistadium.com has a media gallery. Wikipedia Commons hosts many photos under Creative Commons license. The unique translucent ETFE roof and the 360-degree "Infinity Screen" video board are the two visual signatures to search for the most spectacular shots.

Further reading

• World Cup 2026 Stadiums and Host Cities Guide
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta: 8 World Cup 2026 Matches
• NRG Stadium Houston: 7 World Cup 2026 Matches

And of course: to track your bets match by match during the 2026 World Cup, log them and let your own data tell you the truth — that's exactly what mybankroll.io is built for. Sign up free.

Records and notable facts

Three moments that define this venue — worth knowing before betting on its matches.

1

The most expensive stadium ever built: $5.5 billion in construction costs, entirely privately financed (Stan Kroenke).

2

Super Bowl LVI (February 13, 2022): Rams 23-20 Bengals, at home. Cooper Kupp MVP. 2nd NFL team to win a Super Bowl in its home stadium after the Buccaneers in 2021.

3

Will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the LA 2028 Olympics — double mission World Cup 2026 + Olympics 2028.

« SoFi Stadium is a 100-year project. It'll be there, beautiful, long after we're gone. »

Betting on SoFi Stadium matches: 3 angles to track

Beyond raw odds, these three venue-specific factors can tip the balance on a close bet.

Angle 1 — Climate

Mediterranean dry temperate June-July climate (68-82°F, 50-65% humidity, regular coastal breeze). Comfortable conditions for nearly all teams — no significant thermal edge. Focus your betting on other factors: current form, injuries, accumulated fatigue, motivation, group context.

Angle 2 — Roof & pitch

Fixed translucent ETFE roof: lets natural light through while shielding from weather. Stable conditions, minimal variation. Neutral edge across team types — focus on hybrid pitch and fatigue instead.

Angle 3 — Team adaptation

Tahoma 31 (hybrid bermuda grass) was laid specifically for the 2026 World Cup over the stadium's synthetic base, under Michigan State University and FIFA supervision. The first 2-3 weeks are critical for traction — track the venue's match load: pitches degrade fast (~10% quality drop per match per STMA standards).

For tournament favorites, full 12-group analysis and best overall angles, see our complete World Cup 2026 predictions guide.

Compare odds across licensed operators

Before placing a bet, compare lines across regulated sportsbooks. Neutral links, no affiliation:

• DraftKings (USA)
• FanDuel (USA)
• Bet365 (UK/EU)
• William Hill (UK)

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Similar venues

Other 2026 World Cup venues with similar features

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta · Retractable roof · 8 matches

NRG Stadium

Houston · Retractable roof · 7 matches

Lumen Field

Seattle · Partial roof · 6 matches