The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum opened on May 1, 1923, in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles as a memorial to World War I veterans. Designed by architects John and Donald Parkinson, the horseshoe-shaped stadium has hosted everything from Olympic track and field to NFL championship games, and it remains best known today as United Airlines Field, home of USC Trojans football.
The Coliseum holds a singular distinction: it hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984, and is slated to do so again in 2028, making it the first stadium in history to host the Summer Games three times. Its current 77,500-seat capacity dates to a $315 million renovation completed in 2019 that rebuilt the seating bowl and added premium club areas while preserving the historic peristyle end.
Quick Answer: USC Coliseum Capacity
The USC Coliseum (officially United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum) seats 77,500 fans for USC Trojans football, the capacity set by the 2019 renovation. USC has called the Coliseum home since 1923, playing its first game there that October, making it one of the longest-tenured stadium relationships in college football.
Coliseum Capacity Through the Years
The Coliseum’s capacity has changed dramatically over its century of use. It opened in 1923 seating roughly 75,000, making it the largest stadium in Los Angeles at the time. Ahead of the 1932 Olympics, the bowl was expanded to more than 105,000 seats to accommodate Olympic crowds, and that huge capacity held for decades, including for the 1984 Olympics and the Coliseum’s years as home to both the Rams and Raiders.
By 1964 the seating was reconfigured down to roughly 93,000, and it stayed in that range until the 2019 renovation reshaped the bowl, added club seating and suites, and brought the figure down to today’s 77,500. So if you see an older reference to ‘93,000’ or ‘100,000-plus’ seats, that reflects the stadium’s pre-2019 configuration, not its current one. The 2028 Olympics will use the Coliseum at its present 77,500 football capacity, supplemented by temporary seating for track and field as needed.
Seating Chart & Best Seats
The bowl is divided into lower (100-level), club/mezzanine and upper (300-level) sections that wrap around the field, with the original peristyle arch anchoring the open east end. Lower-level sideline seats near midfield, roughly sections 106-109 and 121-shadow sections across the field, offer the closest, most direct views of the action. USC students are generally seated in designated student sections near one end zone, with Gate 28 reserved specifically for student entry.
Because the Coliseum runs mostly east-west, shade and sun exposure vary a lot by kickoff time. For afternoon games, the south side (upper 100s toward the back rows) tends to pick up shade earliest as the day goes on, while the north side and the open end-zone sections stay in direct sun for most of the game. If you’re buying tickets for a hot early-season game, favor the south sideline upper rows; for a late kickoff, shade becomes less of a factor stadium-wide.
Coliseum Bag Policy (2026)
The Coliseum’s A to Z guide allows one clear bag no larger than 12″x6″x12″, or a one-gallon clear plastic storage bag (limit one per person), plus a small clutch bag no larger than 6.5″x4.5″. Purses larger than a clutch, coolers, backpacks, briefcases, fanny packs, cinch bags and luggage of any kind are not permitted; medical items receive an exception after inspection.
Expect walk-through metal detector screening at every gate, with bag check available on a first-come, first-served basis near the South Lawn by Gate 23. Tickets are digital-only — screenshots or printed mobile tickets are not accepted — and re-entry is not allowed at any event, so plan bathroom and concession trips accordingly before kickoff.
Gates, Entry Times & Accessibility
Gates 1, 4, 8, 19, 23 and 28 typically open about 90 minutes before kickoff, with Gate 28 reserved exclusively for USC students. The Coliseum’s own guidance is to arrive at least 60 minutes before kickoff to clear security and find your seat; exact gate times shift slightly by game and are posted on each event’s official page closer to kickoff.
Gate 29 is the designated ADA entrance, with an Accessible Services kiosk just inside. Accessible seating is available at street level around much of the stadium’s circumference, reachable without ramps or stairs, and every gate maintains a priority line for guests with mobility impairments until shortly before the event starts. Guests needing accessible seating are encouraged to arrange it in advance through the ticket office rather than relying on day-of availability.
Parking & Tailgating
Parking around the Coliseum is permit-only with no cash lots; Exposition Park lots open several hours before kickoff for pass holders, and USC’s own campus structures are sold similarly in advance. The Coliseum directs fans to JustPark to buy a space ahead of time rather than hoping to find one on arrival. Tall vans, large SUVs, RVs and buses aren’t accepted in the parking garages because of height restrictions; oversized-vehicle parking is extremely limited and should be arranged with USC Game Management well in advance.
Tailgating is permitted but regulated: on campus, USC requires a reserved tailgate permit (book at least a few weeks ahead to avoid late fees), while in Exposition Park itself, tailgating is limited to the footprint directly in front of or behind your vehicle, with an 8′x8′ tent limit, and it must end at kickoff. Glass containers are prohibited and grills need a fire extinguisher on hand. Because campus and Exposition Park rules differ, confirm which zone your permit covers before you set up.
Getting to the Coliseum
The easiest way in is Metro’s E (Expo) Line, which has stops at Expo/Vermont, Expo Park/USC and Jefferson/USC, each within about a five-minute walk of the gates; the J (Silver) Line also serves the area. If you’re driving, expect heavy congestion on surface streets near Exposition Park for an hour or more after the final whistle.
Rideshare pickup and drop-off is typically restricted from entering the immediate Exposition Park area for 45 to 60 minutes after an event ends, so a lot of fans either walk a few blocks to meet their driver or take the Metro home to skip the worst of the post-game traffic.
Concessions & Alcohol
The Coliseum sells beer and wine to the general public (21-and-over with valid ID) at select concession stands, generally limited to two alcoholic drinks per transaction, with sales cutting off after the third quarter. Outside food, drinks and alcohol cannot be brought in under the clear-bag policy, so plan to buy concessions inside once you’re through the gates.
Plan Your Visit
Gate times, parking rates, tailgate reservation windows and bag policy details can shift from season to season and even game to game. For the current schedule, ticket prices and day-of updates, check the official Los Angeles Coliseum website or USC Athletics before you head out.
Bag Policy
The Coliseum enforces a clear bag policy: guests may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches, or a one-gallon clear plastic storage bag (e.g. Ziploc), plus a small clutch or hand-sized purse. Backpacks, purses larger than a clutch, coolers, briefcases, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage, computer/camera bags, and oversized seat cushions with pockets or metal structures are prohibited, and medically necessary bags are allowed after inspection; all approved bags are subject to inspection at entry.
Size limit: 12 x 6 x 12 in. Source: Official bag policy (lacoliseum.com) (checked October 2026). Policies change, so confirm before you go.
Bags that fit these rules: Clear Stadium Tote (12x6x12), Small Clear Purse, Clear Crossbody Bag. As an Amazon Associate, ThrillZing earns from qualifying purchases.
usc coliseum capacity FAQs
What is the capacity of the USC Coliseum?
The USC Coliseum (United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum) holds 77,500 fans for football, a capacity set by the 2019 renovation of the stadium.
Has the Coliseum’s capacity always been 77,500?
No. The Coliseum opened in 1923 at about 75,000 seats, was expanded to over 105,000 for the 1932 Olympics, reduced to roughly 93,000 in 1964, and brought down to its current 77,500 after the 2019 renovation.
Is the Coliseum’s capacity the same for concerts and other events?
Capacity can vary by event configuration — concerts and other non-football events sometimes use a different stage and field setup that changes the available seat count. Football capacity is 77,500; always check the specific event listing on the official Coliseum site for that event’s configuration.
What is the capacity of USC’s football stadium compared to other Big Ten venues?
At 77,500 seats, the Coliseum is a mid-to-large stadium by major college football standards — smaller than the biggest Big Ten venues but still large enough to regularly rank among the highest-attendance stadiums on the West Coast.
Where do USC students sit at the Coliseum?
USC students are seated in designated student sections, and Gate 28 is reserved exclusively for student entry on gameday.
What bags are allowed into the Coliseum?
One clear bag no larger than 12″x6″x12″, or a one-gallon clear plastic storage bag, plus a small clutch no larger than 6.5″x4.5″. Backpacks, coolers, large purses and non-clear bags are not allowed.
How does parking work at the Coliseum?
Parking is permit-only with no cash lots. Fans typically reserve a space in advance through JustPark or USC’s campus parking system rather than paying at the lot.
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