The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: from the first Super Bowl to LA28

Built in 1923, the historic stadium is preparing for its third Olympic Games, remaining a symbol of the rich heritage and future of American sports.

Eight of the ten largest stadiums in the world by capacity are located in the United States, and one of the most iconic is the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Built in 1923, the Coliseum became legendary for hosting America’s first Super Bowl in 1967. With over 63,000 spectators and 50 million television viewers, the game became one of the most memorable, especially for the halftime show featuring two men landing on the field using jetpacks.

But the Super Bowl isn’t the only major sporting event held at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The stadium has already hosted two Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984, commemorated by the Olympic rings above the main entrance and the “Olympic Gateway”, an imposing structure of 9,000 tons of beams and columns depicting two bronze athletes, created by sculptor Robert Graham for the 1984 Olympics. Now, the stadium is gearing up for LA28, making history as the first venue to host track and field events and the opening ceremony of three Olympic Games.

LA28 Olympics, a major renovation for the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

For the LA28 Olympics, a major renovation (a $100 million investment) is planned for the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which includes the construction of a new surface above the front rows of seats – about 3.3 meters high – dedicated to track and field events, supported by thousands of metal columns and plates. The space underneath will house the warm-up area and the call room, where athletes check in before competing. There’s even talk of using a mechanical platform to slowly raise athletes to the field level for a spectacular entrance.

These renovations are the latest in a series of upgrades to the Coliseum. The most recent, completed in 2019, saw a complete overhaul of the seating, the addition of luxury suites, and the creation of the Scholarship Tower, a modern space with a capacity of 3,000 seats. The tower features two levels of Founders Suites, dining services, an all-year-round event lounge, and a rooftop terrace that rivals luxury hotels in downtown Los Angeles. The 2019 renovation also introduced a full technological update, including power systems and WiFi throughout the stadium, a first for the venue.

By combining tradition with modern functionality, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum continues to evolve while staying true to its historic roots. The past and future renovations preserve the architectural integrity of the stadium, designed in 1921 by renowned Southern California architects John and Donald Parkinson (father and son).