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.
Los Angeles FC signed a 15-year, $100 million naming rights deal with Banc of California in 2016 for the stadium. The deal was terminated in 2020, with the club announcing an eventual renaming in the coming years.[8] In 2023, Bank of Montreal (BMO) was announced as the new stadium sponsor.[9]
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.[10] 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.[11][12][13] Demolition of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena began shortly after the groundbreaking and was completed by October 2016.[14][15]
Opening
The north side during the home opener
The first public event at the stadium was an open practice and dedication ceremony held on April 18, 2018.[16] The club's first match was played on April 29 against Seattle Sounders FC, with the home side winning 1–0.[17][18] The lone goal was scored by Laurent Ciman in stoppage time in front of a capacity crowd of 22,000.[18]
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.[19] The Bank of Montreal was announced as the new naming rights sponsor on January 19, 2023, shortly after acquiring the California-based Bank of the West.[9][20]
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.[21] The closest seats are 12 feet (3.7 m) from the field and all seats are within 135 feet (41 m) of the field.[21] 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.[21][22]
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.[23]
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".[24]
The roof is covered with 190,000 square feet (18,000 m2) of ETFE film.[21] The field is 86,000 square feet (8,000 m2) of improved bermuda grass.[21]
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.[25]
It was announced on April 4, 2017, that the stadium would be host to rugby sevens tournaments. It was planned to be the permanent home of the $1M Champion Sevens organized by Grand Prix Rugby, with the first edition commencing in 2018.[27][28] However, as of 2023, no rugby union games have been played at the stadium.
BMO Stadium is also designed to host concerts and other musical events. It hosted KIIS-FM's 2018 Wango Tango concert on June 2 of that year.[32]Beck appeared in October 2018.[33]
Hard rock band Guns N' Roses played a sold-out show on August 19, 2021, as part of their We're F'N' Back! Tour. The show grossed over $3.4 million and was attended by 21,950 patrons.
In 2023, K-pop boy group Tomorrow X Together performed two sold-out shows on May 27 and 28 as part of their Act Sweet Mirage Tour.[37][38]Hard Summer hosted part of their 2023 festival at the stadium on August 5 and 6, which included the nearby Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Exposition Park. Mexican group RBD is set to perform four concerts on October 18–20 and 22 as part of their reunion tour, marking the first time the group will be performing live together in 15 years.[39][40][41]Queen + Adam Lambert are slated to play two consecutive shows, on November 11 and 12, as part of their Rhapsody Tour; the November 11 show sold-out within an hour of tickets going on-sale, which led to the November 12 date being added.
In 2024, K-pop boy group Ateez performed at the stadium two shows as part of their Towards the Light: Will to Power Tour on July 20 and 21.
Cultural events
LAFC has stated that Banc of California will be used for local cultural events in Los Angeles's 9th District.[citation needed]
^"TXT sells out LA stadium concerts for world tour ACT: SWEET MIRAGE". Bollywood Hungama. May 23, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023. BIGHIT MUSIC announced today that the shows for 'TOMORROW X TOGETHER WORLD TOUR'...at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles had been sold out. The shows are to take place on May 27 and 28.
