SoFi Stadium gains confidence from World Cup test ahead of Super Bowl and 2028 Olympics

SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, which cost $5 billion to build, hosted eight matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including the United States opening game and two matches involving Iran. Senior vice‑president Otto Benedict said the event proved the venue’s safety and operational systems, noting, “From a public safety perspective, I think that went very, very well.” Law‑enforcement partners at the federal, state and local levels worked together to manage crowds, ticketing, concessions and restroom traffic without any major incidents.

The temporary natural grass pitch also received praise, with Benedict saying it exceeded expectations despite the stadium’s primary use for football and concerts. Lessons learned from the World Cup are being applied as the stadium prepares to host the Super Bowl in February 2024 and the swimming events and opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, giving organizers confidence that the venue can handle large‑scale, high‑profile events.