Los Angeles is gearing up for the World Cup, with transportation and food provisions firmly in place, yet the crucial playing surface at SoFi Stadium remains a work in progress just 30 days before its inaugural match.
The US men’s team is scheduled to open their campaign against Paraguay on 12 June at the venue, which will be known as Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament, hosting eight matches in total.
As of Tuesday, the pitch was still an expanse of dirt. However, this is set to change dramatically on Wednesday, when fresh sod, transported 1,600 miles in refrigerated lorries from Washington state, begins its two-day installation process.
Otto Benedict, SoFi Stadium’s senior vice president of facilities and campus operations, underscored its importance, stating: “This surface is the players’ stage”.
Construction on the field commenced on 13 April, following a Monster Jam event that saw 12,000-pound trucks compete.
The stadium, home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, underwent a two-phase modification, including the removal of corner seats to create wider dimensions and auxiliary space, meeting FIFA specifications, alongside the installation of a sophisticated irrigation system.
“To be the place where the energy first ignites, where the home crowd gets to set the tone for the rest of the tournament is a responsibility we don’t take lightly,” Benedict said.
Construction, landscape, grass and engineering crews were applauded by local World Cup organizers and community ambassador Magic Johnson, who pointed out his suite where he’ll be watching.
“When you think about the financial impact it’s going to have on Los Angeles, it’s going to be amazing”, said Johnson, who is a co-owner of LAFC in Major League Soccer and the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League.
Already coming down was signage advertising the stadium’s usual sponsors.
Tours of the stadium during the tournament are being sold for $86.50. Still available are premium seating, suites and hospitality packages.
Fans can choose from a variety of food and drink options. Among the items on display Tuesday was salsa verde aguachile with lime marinated shrimp, kettle cooked crispy pickles, stone fruit panzanella, spiced lamb rack, smoked salmon mousse, petite beef burgers, tune poke and aged ribeye cap with bordelaise and mashed potatoes.
Desserts include a World Cup trophy made of chocolate mousse, raspberry, chocolate crunch and chocolate sponge and a soccer ball filled with vanilla mousse, peach, strawberry crunch and vanilla sponge.
Metro debuted special edition TAP cards featuring three FIFA-themed designs, 17 country-specific designs, four FIFA collector cards, including a light-up card, and a collector’s box.
“We want to provide a system that is safe, fast and fun”, Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said.
Metro is working with 11 other transit lines in the region to offer direct-to-stadium bus service for $3.75 roundtrip from 15 park-and-ride lots in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Reserved parking lots range in price from $55 to more than $100. Fans can access 300 dedicated buses to every match in an effort to avoid disrupting service to Metro’s regular riders.
The official FIFA Fan Festival will be held June 11-14 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with big screens showing games. Ten fan zones around Los Angeles County will host activities and watch parties.
