L.A. Olympics Set to Require USC Football to Play Home Games at SoFi Stadium

USC Football Faces Temporary Move to SoFi Stadium Due to L.A. Olympics

USC football is likely to play the entire 2028 season at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. This change is prompted by the upcoming Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games planning to use the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Coliseum, USC’s home since 1923, will undergo a $100 million transformation. A temporary Olympic track will be built over the field, making it unsuitable for football at the season’s start in September.

Officials with knowledge of the situation revealed the Coliseum field will not be ready in time for USC’s home opener. Removing the elevated track and restoring the turf within two weeks post-Paralympics’ closing ceremony on August 27 remains unfeasible.

USC’s athletic director has yet to finalize plans with LA28, the city’s Olympic organizing committee. A USC spokesperson stated both parties are "working in lockstep" and will announce official details once confirmed.

Sharing the stadium midseason seems unlikely due to logistical complications. Uprooting the team or playing games away from L.A. for extended periods poses challenges that may impact the football program negatively.

The need for SoFi Stadium arises as it already hosts the NFL’s Rams and Chargers. There is also speculation UCLA might join as a tenant, potentially making SoFi home to four major L.A. football teams, though legal disputes with the Rose Bowl remain ongoing.

Key logistical hurdles include Olympic standards requiring the track to be built 11 feet above the field, stretching over existing lower seating rows. This complex construction will begin after USC’s 2027 football schedule ends.

AECOM’s executive vice president described the temporary track project as "an incredibly complex build" in tight quarters. Past experiences, like the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, show dismantling such structures can take more than a year.

Only SoFi Stadium has been seriously discussed as USC’s temporary home for 2028. Alternatives like the Rose Bowl appear less feasible amid ongoing tenant uncertainties.

This move marks a significant but necessary shift for USC football to accommodate the Olympic preparations, ensuring that L.A. can host the Games successfully while maintaining collegiate football traditions nearby.