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 served as one of the most versatile venues in American sports history, hosting everything from Olympic track and field to NFL championship games.
Beyond its athletic pedigree, the Coliseum holds a singular distinction: it hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984, and is slated to do so again in 2028, which will make it the first stadium in history to host the Summer Games three times. Today it remains the home field of USC Trojans football, following a $315 million renovation completed in 2019 that modernized the historic bowl while preserving its iconic peristyle end.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): USC Trojans (current); formerly LA Rams, LA Raiders, UCLA Bruins, LA Dodgers
- Location: Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California
- Opened: May 1, 1923
- Capacity: About 77,500 (post-2019 renovation)
- Notable Fact: Only stadium to host the Summer Olympics three times (1932, 1984, 2028)
A Century of Landmark Events
Since opening in 1923, the Coliseum has hosted an extraordinary range of history-making events, including the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics, Super Bowl I in 1967, Super Bowl VII in 1973, the 1959 World Series, and the 1960 Democratic National Convention where John F. Kennedy accepted his party’s presidential nomination. Its list of former tenants reads like a survey of Los Angeles sports history, having hosted the Rams, Raiders, Dodgers, and UCLA Bruins at various points before each moved to other venues.
The stadium was designated a National Historic Landmark on July 27, 1984, one day before the opening ceremony of that year’s Olympic Games, cementing its status as both an architectural and cultural touchstone of the city.
Renovation and the Road to 2028
Between 2018 and 2019, the Coliseum underwent its first major upgrade in two decades, a $315 million project that reduced seating from roughly 93,600 to about 77,500 while adding modern club areas, suites, and improved sightlines. The renovation preserved the stadium’s signature peristyle arch and torch, maintaining its historic character while bringing the venue up to contemporary standards.
With the 2028 Summer Olympics returning to Los Angeles, the Coliseum is preparing to make history once more as the first stadium ever to host three Olympic Games, a milestone that underscores its enduring role at the center of the city’s athletic and civic life.
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Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum FAQs
When did the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum open?
The Coliseum opened on May 1, 1923, as a memorial to Los Angeles County veterans of World War I.
What is the current capacity of the Coliseum?
Following its 2018-2019 renovation, the Coliseum seats about 77,500 fans, down from a pre-renovation capacity of roughly 93,600.
Which teams have played at the Coliseum?
USC Trojans football currently calls the Coliseum home. Past tenants have included the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Raiders, UCLA Bruins, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Photo: Quintin Soloviev / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.