BMO Stadium

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BMO Stadium
The Bank
250px
File:LAFC East Side Stadium interior.jpg
The west side stands on Figueroa Street
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Location in L.A. metro area##Location in California##Location in the United States
Former names Banc of California Stadium (2016–2023)
Address 3939 South Figueroa Street
Location Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Public transit LAMetroLogo.svg Expo Line  Expo Park/USC
Owner Los Angeles FC
Executive suites 35
Capacity 22,000
Surface Bermuda grass
Scoreboard Panasonic[1]
Construction
Broke ground August 23, 2016[2]
Opened April 18, 2018[6][3]
Construction cost $350 million[3]
Architect Gensler
Structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti[4]
Services engineer M–E Engineers, Inc.
General contractor PCL Construction Services, Inc.[5]
Tenants
Los Angeles FC (MLS) (2018–present)
Angel City FC (NWSL) (2022–present)
Website
Official website

BMO Stadium, formerly Banc of California Stadium, is a soccer-specific stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the home of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC and the National Women's Soccer League's Angel City FC. Opened on April 18, 2018,[6][3] it was the first open-air stadium built in the City of Los Angeles since Dodger Stadium in 1962.[7] 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.

LAFC 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, Toronto-based 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

File:South side view during the home opener.jpg
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]

In November 2020, it was announced that the newly formed Angel City FC of the National Women's Soccer League would play at the stadium.

Features

Design

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]

Five percent of the stadium's parking spaces have electric vehicle charging stations and 20% electric vehicle ready infrastructure.[21] The stadium has 440 planned parking spaces for bicycles and a bike path to the stadium as part of the My Figueroa Project.[21] The stadium is a LEED Silver certified building.[21]

2028 Summer Olympics

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]

Major events

Soccer

The stadium was a venue for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. It hosted two matches in Group C. It also hosted the 2021 MLS All-Star Game on August 25, 2021.

Date Home Team Result Away Team Tournament Spectators
May 22, 2018 United States Los Angeles FC 1–1 Germany Borussia Dortmund Club Friendly 22,000
January 31, 2019 United States Los Angeles FC 4–1 Japan Vissel Kobe 18,000
March 6, 2019  El Salvador 3–1  Guatemala International Friendly 18,342
April 7, 2019  United States 6–0  Belgium Women's International Friendly 20,941
June 25, 2019  Jamaica 1–1  Curaçao 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C 22,503
 Honduras 4–0  El Salvador
January 25, 2020 United States Los Angeles FC 2–0 Uruguay Peñarol Club Friendly 16,292
June 26, 2021  El Salvador 0–0  Guatemala International Friendly 22,000
August 25, 2021 United States Canada MLS All-Stars 1–1
(3–2 on pens.)		 Mexico Liga MX All-Stars 2021 MLS All-Star Game 21,000
December 11, 2021  Chile 1–0  El Salvador International Friendly unknown
February 23, 2022 United States New York City FC 4–0 Costa Rica Santos de Guápiles 2022 CONCACAF Champions League
Round of 16
(2nd leg)		 100
November 5, 2022 United States Los Angeles FC 3–3
(3–0 on pens.)		 United States Philadelphia Union MLS Cup 2022 22,384
January 25, 2023  United States 1–2  Serbia International Friendly 11,475
March 15, 2023 United States Los Angeles FC 1–2 Costa Rica Alajuelense 2023 CONCACAF Champions League
Round of 16
(2nd leg)		 19,672
March 22, 2023  El Salvador 0–1  Honduras International Friendly 16,000
April 11, 2023 United States Los Angeles FC 3–0 Canada Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2023 CONCACAF Champions League
Quarterfinals
(2nd leg)		 18,688
May 2, 2023 United States Los Angeles FC 3–0 United States Philadelphia Union 2023 CONCACAF Champions League
Semifinals
(2nd leg)		 19,985
June 4, 2023 United States Los Angeles FC 0–1 Mexico León 2023 CONCACAF Champions League final (2nd leg) 22,413
September 27, 2023 United States Los Angeles FC 0–0
(2–4 on pens.)		 Mexico UANL 2023 Campeones Cup 20,605
March 2, 2024 TBD TBD 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup
Quarterfinals
TBD TBD
March 3, 2024 TBD TBD
TBD TBD

The stadium served as the "home" venue for New York City FC during the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 due to issues with the club's other venues in the New York metropolitan area. Their primary and secondary stadiums (Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, respectively) were not approved by CONCACAF for use in the tournament, while the soccer-specific Red Bull Arena was undergoing renovations. Banc of California Stadium was chosen due to New York City FC's upcoming MLS regular season match to be played against the LA Galaxy at the nearby Dignity Health Sports Park.[26]

Other sports

Rugby Union

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.

Lacrosse

It was announced on April 1, 2019, that the stadium would host the inaugural Premier Lacrosse League All-Star Game on July 21, 2019.[29]

Boxing

On August 17, 2019, Banc of California Stadium held its first boxing event, a World Boxing Organization junior featherweight title fight with Emanuel Navarrete successfully defending his title against Francisco De Vaca by 3rd round technical knockout.[30] The stadium held Austin McBroom vs. AnEsonGib on September 10, 2022, a professional crossover boxing event.[31]

Other events

Concerts

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]

Mumford & Sons brought their Delta Tour to the stadium on August 3, 2019. British heavy metal band Iron Maiden's Legacy of the Beast World Tour was announced for September 14, 2019 at the stadium as well.[34]

The Rolling Loud hip-hop music festival was held at the stadium in 2018 and 2019. Post Malone, Lil Wayne, Cardi B, and Lil Uzi Vert, among others, performed at the 2018 show, while Chance the Rapper, Young Thug, Lil Baby, Future, A$AP Rocky, Meek Mill, YG, and Playboi Carti were part of the 2019 show.

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.

K-pop girl group Twice held the encore concert for their 4th World Tour 'III' on May 14–15, 2022.[35] The Killers performed a sold-out show with 23,439 attendees for their Imploding the Mirage Tour on August 27. As part of their Paradise Again World Tour, EDM supergroup Swedish House Mafia played a sold out show on September 9. K-pop girl group Blackpink played two nights at the stadium on November 19 & 20, 2022.[36]

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.

Cultural events

LAFC has stated that Banc of California will be used for local cultural events in Los Angeles's 9th District.[citation needed]

File:Fortnite Pro-Am stadium at E3 2018 3.jpg
Fortnite Pro-Am event at BMO Stadium.

Esports

In June 2018, Epic Games held a celebrity pro-am event for its multiplayer online video game Fortnite Battle Royale at Banc of California Stadium, as part of events coinciding with the 2018 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). The event was won by a team of professional player Ninja and electronic music producer Marshmello.[42]

See also

References

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  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links

Events and tenants
Preceded by
first stadium
 Home of
Los Angeles FC
2018–present		 Succeeded by
current
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