The landscape of professional and collegiate sports in Los Angeles is defined by its assembly of world-class venues. When asking how many stadiums are in Los Angeles, the answer requires nuance, because the definition of a stadium and the distinction between primary homes versus occasional hosts changes the count. This city operates a portfolio of arenas that ranges from historic monuments to modern engineering feats, each serving a specific purpose in the ecosystem of live entertainment.
Defining a Stadium in the City of Angels
To accurately count the stadiums, one must first establish the criteria. A true stadium is generally distinguished by a large, fixed seating structure designed primarily for viewing events from a distance, as opposed to an arena with an intimate, indoor setup. In Los Angeles, this distinction is crucial because the region boasts numerous large indoor arenas like Crypto.com Arena and the Galen Center, which are often confused with outdoor stadiums. For the purpose of this overview, we focus on the outdoor venues with significant track and field configurations or expansive lawn seating that host the region’s major football and soccer teams.
SoFi Stadium: The Modern Colossus
Undisputedly the centerpiece of the modern Los Angeles sports scene is SoFi Stadium, located in Inglewood. This behemoth serves as the shared home for the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, making it the only stadium in the region to currently house two NFL franchises. With a capacity that adjusts based on configuration, it represents the pinnacle of contemporary stadium design, featuring a translucent roof and a massive video display that defines the skyline of South Los Angeles.
Historic Venues: The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
While SoFi represents the new, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum stands as the undeniable symbol of the old. This National Historic Landmark is unique for its dual role in hosting both the USC Trojans college football team and Los Angeles FC of Major League Soccer. It is the only stadium in the United States to have hosted two Super Bowls and an Olympic Games, making it not just a venue, but a monument to the city’s athletic heritage. Counting this venue is essential to understanding the total number of stadiums in Los Angeles.
Soccer and The Rose Bowl
Soccer has become a major tenant in the Los Angeles sports portfolio, and the primary venue for that sport is the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. Despite the name, this venue is distinct from the annual college football game held in nearby Pasadena. It serves as the dedicated home of the LA Galaxy of MLS and has long been a host for international friendlies and tournaments. Its classic design and storied history ensure that it remains a focal point for football in the region, adding a definitive count to the stadium tally.
Dodger Stadium: Baseball’s Cathedral
Though the focus often lands on football and soccer, baseball remains a pillar of Los Angeles sports, and Dodger Stadium is the undisputed king. Situated in the Chavez Ravine hills, it is the largest baseball stadium in the city by capacity and one of the oldest operational venues in Major League Baseball. While it is exclusively used for baseball, its scale and grandeur mean it is always included in the broader conversation about the city’s massive structures dedicated to sport.
Other Notable Structures and the Total Count
When compiling a comprehensive list, one must also consider venues like the Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park, which hosts the LA Chargers and was built on the site of the former Hollywood Park Racetrack. Dignity Health Sports Park, though technically classified as a soccer-specific stadium, operates with a smaller, more intimate capacity. When aggregating these venues—the Coliseum, SoFi, Rose Bowl, Dodger Stadium, Hollywood Park, and the dedicated soccer facilities—the number of major stadiums in the Los Angeles metropolitan area reaches approximately six to seven, depending on the specific definitions applied to the count.
