Banc of California Stadium

Banc of California Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the home of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC. Opened on April 18, 2018,[3][4] it was the first open-air stadium built in the City of Los Angeles since 1962.[7] Constructed on the site of the former Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, it is located next to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and just south of the main campus of the University of Southern California. Los Angeles FC subleases the site from the University which has a master lease with the LA Memorial Coliseum Commission for operating and managing the Coliseum and stadium properties.

Banc of California Stadium
The east side stands on Figueroa Street
Banc of California Stadium
Location in L.A. metro area
Banc of California Stadium
Location in California
Banc of California Stadium
Location in the United States
Address3939 South Figueroa Street
LocationLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Coordinates34.013°N 118.285°W / 34.013; -118.285
Public transit Expo Park/USC  
OwnerLos Angeles FC
OperatorLos Angeles FC
Executive suites5
Capacity22,000
SurfaceBermuda grass
ScoreboardPanasonic[1]
Construction
Broke groundAugust 23, 2016[2]
OpenedApril 18, 2018[3][4]
Construction cost$350 million[4]
ArchitectGensler
Structural engineerThornton Tomasetti[5]
Services engineerM–E Engineers, Inc.
General contractorPCL Construction Services, Inc.[6]
Tenants
Los Angeles FC (MLS) (2018–present)
Website
official website

In June 2020, the club announced that Banc of California stepped away as the naming rights holder for the stadium, and that it will no longer be called Banc of California Stadium. As a consequence, the bank will pay a termination fee of $20.1 million.[8]

History

Planning and construction

The Los Angeles Times reported on May 17, 2015 that the team chose the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena site to build a 22,000-seat state-of-the-art stadium for the MLS in Exposition Park, costing $250 million. The group estimated the project would create 1,200 temporary construction jobs and 1,800 full-time jobs, generating $2.5 million in annual tax revenue.[9] The environmental impact report, arena demolition, and stadium construction were expected to take three years and delay the team's debut to 2018.

On May 6, 2016, the Los Angeles City Council approved the stadium, clearing a way for the construction of the stadium.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 23, 2016. At the event attended by owners and construction crews, LAFC announced a 15-year, $100 million naming rights deal for the stadium with the Banc of California.[10][11][12] Demolition of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena began shortly after the groundbreaking and was completed by October 2016.[13][14]

Opening
The west and north sides during the home opener

The first public event at the stadium was an open practice and dedication ceremony held on April 18, 2018.[15] The club's first match was played on April 29 against Seattle Sounders FC, with the home side winning 1–0.[16][17] The lone goal was scored by Laurent Ciman in stoppage time in front of a capacity crowd of 22,000.[17]

On May 26, 2020, Banc of California announced that they planned to end the naming rights deal, paying $20 million for early termination but remaining the club's banking sponsor. A new naming rights sponsor will be sought by LAFC.[18]

Features

Design

The seating capacity of the stadium is 22,000. The stadium's seating is at 34 degrees, which makes it among the steepest in MLS.[19] The closest seats are 12 feet (3.7 m) from the field and all seats are within 135 feet (41 m) of the field.[19] It includes 125,000 square feet (11,600 m2) of walkways and plazas open to the public. The stadium also features press box suites with a water fountain.[19][20]

The ground's North End is home to the "3252" supporters group, so named for the number of seats in the safe standing section. It was built at an incline of 34 degrees and features angled handrails that are designed to resemble those used on rollercoasters. The central section of the stand has a removable stage for use during concerts and other events outside of sports. On top of the North End is a supporter-designed bar which can only be accessed from 3252 section.[21]

A northeast slice of the stadium was designed to be open to capture the downtown Los Angeles skyline and the San Gabriel Mountains. Members of the media in the angled press box have one of the best vantage points to peer through the "keyhole".[22]

The roof is covered with 190,000 square feet (18,000 m2) of ETFE film.[19] The field is 86,000 square feet (8,000 m2) of improved bermuda grass.[19]

Five percent of the stadium's parking spaces have electric vehicle charging stations and 20% electric vehicle ready infrastructure.[19] The stadium has 440 planned parking spaces for bicycles and a bike path to the stadium as part of the My Figueroa Project.[19] The stadium is a LEED Silver certified building.[19]

2028 Summer Olympics

The stadium will be a part of the Downtown Sports Park and host some track and field events and both men's and women's soccer when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics.[23]

Other sports

Rugby

It was announced on April 4, 2017, that the stadium would be host to rugby sevens tournaments. It will be the permanent home of the Grand Prix Rugby Series, the world's richest rugby sevens championship in history.[24][25]

2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup

The stadium was a venue for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. It hosted two matches in Group C.

International Matches


April 7, 2019 Friendly (Women's Soccer) United States6-0 Belgium
21:00 ET Lloyd  14',  19'
Horan  26'
Mewis  33'
Morgan  52'
McDonald  90+1'		 Attendance: 20,941
Referee: Katja Koroleva (United States)
June 25, 2019 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C Jamaica1-1 Curacao
20:00 (17:00 UTC-7) Nicholson  14' Gaari  90+3' Attendance: 22,503
Referee: Marco Ortiz (Mexico)
June 25, 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C Honduras4-0 El Salvador
22:30 (19:30 UTC-7) Alvarez  59'
Castillo  65'
Acosta  75'
Izaguirre  90'		 Attendance: 22,503
Referee: Fernando Guerrero (Mexico)

Lacrosse

It was announced on April 1, 2019, that the stadium would host the inaugural Premier Lacrosse League All-Star Game on July 21, 2019.[26]

Boxing

On August 17, 2019, Banc of California Stadium held its first boxing event, a World Boxing Organization junior bantamweight title fight with Emanuel Navarrete successfully defending his title against Francisco De Vaca by 3rd round technical knockout.[27]

Other events

Concerts

Banc of California Stadium is also designed to host concerts and other musical events. The stadium hosted KIIS-FM's Wango Tango concert on June 2, 2018.[28] Iron Maiden's Legacy of the Beast World Tour was announced for September 14, 2019.[29] Mumford & Sons brought their Delta Tour to the stadium on August 3, 2019.

Cultural events

LAFC has stated that Banc of California will be used for local cultural events in Los Angeles's 9th District.

eSports
Fortnite Pro-Am event at Banc of California Stadium.

In June 2018, Epic Games held a celebrity pro-am event for its multiplayer online video game Fortnite Battle Royale at Banc of California Stadium, as part of events coinciding with the 2018 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). The event was won by a team of professional player Ninja and electronic music producer Marshmello.[30]

gollark: Of course.
gollark: what if graph (in the mathematical sense) esolang
gollark: what if 3D image esolang using animated image/image sequences
gollark: what if hyperbolic geometry esolang
gollark: hello esolangs users

See also

References
  1. "Banc of California Stadium Case Study" (PDF). Panasonic. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  2. Rodriguez, Alicia (August 19, 2016). "LAFC to hold groundbreaking event for new stadium on Tuesday". MLS Soccer. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  3. Dwyer, Alex (April 19, 2018). "LAFC's Banc of California Stadium is officially open for business". Major League Soccer.
  4. "Magic, Nomar, Hamm open LAFC stadium". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  5. "Banc of California Stadium". Thornton Tomasetti. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  6. "Los Angeles Football Club Soccer Stadium and PCL Construction Participating in Hiring Event" (Press release). Los Angeles Football Club. March 10, 2016. Archived from the original on June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  7. Stadium, Banc of California. "Learn More — Banc of California Stadium — An Unmatched Experience". bancofcaliforniastadium.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  8. "Los Angeles FC Loses Stadium Sponsor 12 Years Early". Footy Headlines. June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  9. Baxter, Kevin (May 17, 2015). "Expansion L.A. Soccer Team Plans New Stadium on Sports Arena Site". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  10. "LAFC owners join with Los Angeles business and community leaders to break ground on Bank of California Stadium" (Press release). Los Angeles FC. August 23, 2016. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  11. Koren, James Rufus (August 23, 2016). "Banc of California snags naming rights for L.A. Football Club soccer stadium". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  12. Novy-Williams, Eben (August 23, 2016). "Bank Run by 41-Year-Old Signs $100 Million Stadium-Name Deal". Bloomberg News. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  13. "LAFC Job Fair Flyer" (PDF). Los Angeles Football Club. March 10, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  14. "RIP Sports Arena: Aerial Shots Capture Demolished Former Home Of Lakers, Clippers, DNC". CBS Los Angeles. September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  15. Brewer, Ashley (April 18, 2018). "Los Angeles Football Club's Banc of California Stadium officially unveiled in Exposition Park". ABC 7. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  16. Baxter, Kevin (December 18, 2017). "LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  17. "Boxscore: Los Angeles Football Club vs. Seattle Sounders FC 04/30/2018 | Matchcenter".
  18. Novy-Williams, Eben (May 27, 2020). "Banc of California Paid $20 Million to End L.A. Soccer Stadium Name Agreement". Variety. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  19. "Banc of California Stadium Facts | LAFC — Los Angeles Football Club". LAFC. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  20. "New renderings of LAFC stadium". urbanizela.com. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  21. "Bar offers unique experience for LAFC's 3,252 supporters | MLSsoccer.com".
  22. "Pool parties, secret rooms, local culture: 10 Things About LAFC's new home | MLSsoccer.com".
  23. "LA 2024 - Los Angeles 2024 Olympic Bid". la24.org. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  24. "LAFC To Host Rugby Sevens At Banc Of California Stadium — LAFC — Los Angeles Football Club". April 4, 2017. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017.
  25. "Grand Prix Network". Grand Prix Network.
  26. "Los Angeles". PremierLacrosseLeague. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  27. "Navarrete stops De Vaca in 3rd round, keeps belt". ESPN.com. August 18, 2019.
  28. Trakin, Roy; Trakin, Roy (June 1, 2018). "Banc of California Stadium Launches as Concert Venue Saturday With KIIS/iHeart's Wango Tango". Variety. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  29. "Banc of California Stadium Hires Cori Gadbury as Its First VP of Marketing". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  30. Statt, Nick (June 17, 2018). "Fortnite's celebrity tournament felt like a trial run for Epic's grand e-sports ambitions". The Verge. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
Events and tenants
Preceded by
first stadium		 Home of
Los Angeles FC
2018–present		 Succeeded by
current
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