LA Memorial Coliseum – stadium description

First works on Los Angeles’ largest stadium were launched in 1921. The immense structure was based on excavated landfill, laid on the east-west axis. What wasn’t common in those days, the artificial hills were fitted with entry tunnels for fans, providing a much more comfortable access than regular staircases running through the top of the stands.

Back in 1923 when it was opened, the stadium held roughly 75,000 people. However, when Los Angeles was granted rights to hold the 1932 Olympics, first and only large expansion to date took place, expanding the structure throughout its perimeter with concrete sections. This meant stands grew to 79 rows around the field and over 101,500 capacity.

The only empty side of the stadium (with single tier, now defunct) and also the most iconic one is the eastern entrance gate. On top of it sits the Olympic cauldron. Throughout the years the gate was decorated with numerous plaques commemorating medalists of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics, because yes, it’s one of the very few stadia to have held two Olympics. Coincidentally, as it held the second tournament, it was listed as a historical monument.

Throughout the decades it underwent numerous changes, but most of them weren’t important structurally. Equipment, systems and various features were changed, refurbished or repainted, but the stadium almost perfectly retains its 1932 shape to this day. One major alteration was the lowering of the field to accommodate several further rows of sating in 1993, another was the creation of temporary east stand. Largest ever renovations are yet to come, expected by early 2020s.

The list of events held here is enormous. From sports to religious gatherings, concerts and arts festivals. Besides the Olympics, five editions of the Gold Cup were held here, as well as several exhibition soccer tournaments. There were well over a dozen tenants to have played at least a season here, including the Aztecs, a NASL soccer club. Currently only the Trojans, University of South California football team uses the stadium on a weekly basis.