Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 3911 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90037
Year Opened: 1923
Capacity: 93,000
Whose House? Rams House
Opened in 1923, The Los Angeles Coliseum has been the host to countless historic events, including the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics, Super Bowls I and VII, and the 1959 World Series. The Dodgers would play their first four seasons at the Coliseum before moving into their permanent fixture at Chavez Ravine.
UCLA Football and the Raiders would also call the Coliseum home at one time, while the USC Trojans continue their gridiron home inside the old lady’s hallowed walls. Prior to returning to Los Angeles in 2016, the Rams would call the Coliseum home from 1946 to 1979.
The Grand Old Lady has been given both California and U.S. National Historic Landmark status. The historic peristyle end of the stadium is where its signature Olympic Cauldron resides.
Food & Beverage 5
For such an old venue, the Coliseum does an outstanding job of creating space to allow for a diverse dining experience.
The food options are abundant, ranging from gourmet hot dogs from Daug Haus, Aussie Pies, Tamales, Kalua Pork Bowls to other offerings extending from Mexican to Asian.
Just outside the peristyle end is the Taste of Los Angeles where you will find an assortment of food trucks that vary throughout the season such as the lobstatruck or the Korean Belly Bomb.
The Fields LA is the newest addition in Exposition Park located next to nearby Banc of California Stadium. The Fields, open before and after the game and offers an array of pre and postgame dining options ranging from Soul Food, Seafood, Mediterranean, and organic greens.
Atmosphere 4
In spite of a current capacity of over 70,000, even with a full house at its loudest the noise tends to dissipate due to its vast size. The massive oval playing surface is very large for a conventional football field, which is placed closer to the west end zone and a great distance from the east peristyle.
In spite of the old yard’s deficiencies, this does not deter the fans from displaying their enthusiasm for the home team. While you won’t have the most up to date amenities found in most any modern day venue, there is still plenty of history steeped into the Coliseum. With the Rams scheduled to move to Inglewood in 2020, if you want an old-school experience, you owe it to yourself to take in at least one game before the Rams make way to more upscale quarters.
Neighborhood 4
On the grounds of the Coliseum is Exposition Park. If you are looking for other activities prior to the game, the Natural History Museum, the California African American Museum, as well as the Natural History Museum and the California ScienCenter are located inside the park. To be able to visit all the museums and fully take in the experience, you would probably need two days. If you’re limited on time, you may want to visit the California ScienCenter, home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Not far from the Coliseum is the L.A. Live entertainment complex directly across the street from Staples Center, easily accessible from the Coliseum through L.A. Metro Expo Line.
Fans 4
After over 20 years without an NFL team, after a slow start during their inaugural return, fans have embraced the Rams with open arms and have been rewarded greatly with a Super Bowl appearance in just its third year back.
It was once wondered if the fans could continually fill the stands at the Coliseum. The Coliseum, once at a capacity of over 80,000, was deemed too big for such a diverse market.
With the team reaching the postseason the last couple of seasons, the fans have returned to full form, truly making the Coliseum on game day, the Rams House.
Access 3
The Coliseum is about three miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles and adjacent to the USC campus. The stadium is most easily reached from the 10 or the 110, both of which unfortunately have some of the most congested traffic in the area. There are multiple satellite lots as well as parking on the USC campus that are typically priced based on proximity to the stadium. If you should be so fortunate, you may find pricing as low as $75.
Should you decide to use public transit rather than drive, the MTA’s Metro Expo Line has a station conveniently located across the street from campus, a short walk away as you walk through Exposition Park.
A day pass, along with a TAP card is a great bargain at $9. The Expo Line also offers convenient connections with other MTA rail and bus lines should you want to explore what L.A. has to offer.
Once inside the stadium you will find a concourse the encircles the entire stadium. If your seats are on the upper level, expect some rather intimidating inclines. Fortunately, for those do not wish to navigate up the stairs, three escalators, two of them on the south stands, are on site.
Return on Investment 4
Ticket prices run from $70 for seats in the corners of the peristyle end and are quite a distance from the field. If you are just looking to take in the action at a bargain (for NFL standards) regardless of your seating location this is your best bet. Otherwise, expect to pay in the triple digits for seats along the sidelines. With the success the Rams have had this year (2018-19), do not expect the prices to dwindle anytime soon. The experience you get while watching one of the top teams in action could well be worth it.
Extras 3
During your visit to the stadium, be sure to walk by the arches and check out the “Court of Honor.” This memorial has many plaques to recognize the events or achievements that have occurred at the stadium. Notable names such as Daniel Reeves, Jesse Owens, Pope John Paul II, Jackie Robinson, John Wooden, and Jerry West all hold a place in the Court. If the Olympic rings and arches weren’t enough, check out the “Olympic Gateway” in front of the Coliseum. Created in 1984 by Robert Graham, this structure rises 25 feet above ground and has headless male and female bodies made of bronze.
Final Thoughts
The Coliseum is going through a face lift. When completed, The Grand Old Lady is expected to have a seating capacity of over 75,000.
After a slow start upon their return to L.A., the Rams have had plenty of success, climaxed by a trip to Super Bowl LIII. With the Rams due to play in their gleaming new digs in 2020, the USC Trojans football program will continue to call the Coliseum their home. The anticipation and excitement for 2019 should be high and the Rams will look to finish their second go ‘round at the Coliseum a memorable one.
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