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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Banc Of California Stadium
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, it was the first open-air stadium built in the city of Los Angeles since Dodger Stadium in 1962.

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.

Los Angeles FC 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. In 2023, Bank of Montreal (BMO) was announced as the new stadium sponsor.

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. 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. Demolition of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena began shortly after the groundbreaking and was completed by October 2016.

Opening

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. The club's first match was played on April 29 against Seattle Sounders FC, with the home side winning 1–0. The lone goal was scored by Laurent Ciman in stoppage time in front of a capacity crowd of 22,000.

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. 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.

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. The closest seats are 12 feet (3.7 m) from the field and all seats are within 135 feet (41 m) of the field. It includes 125,000 square feet (11,600 m) of walkways and plazas open to the public. The stadium also features press box suites with a water fountain.

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.

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".

The roof is covered with 190,000 square feet (18,000 m) of ETFE film. The field is 86,000 square feet (8,000 m) of improved bermuda grass.

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

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.

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  Canada 1–0  Costa Rica 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup
Quarterfinals		 2,054
 Brazil 5–1  Argentina 2,824
March 3, 2024  Mexico 3–2  Paraguay
 United States 3–0  Colombia 16,746
March 23, 2024 Mexico Guadalajara 0–0 Mexico Atlas Club Friendly
September 25, 2024 United States Los Angeles FC 3–1 United States Sporting Kansas City 2024 U.S. Open Cup final

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.

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. 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.

Boxing

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

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. Beck appeared in October 2018.

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

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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

In 2024, K-pop boy group Ateez performed at the stadium two shows as part of their Towards the Light: Will to Power Tour on July 20 and 21.

Cultural events

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

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.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Banc of California Stadium Case Study" (PDF). Panasonic. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  2. ^ Rodriguez, Alicia (August 19, 2016). "LAFC to hold groundbreaking event for new stadium on Tuesday". MLS Soccer. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  3. ^ "Magic, Nomar, Hamm open LAFC stadium". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  4. ^ "Banc of California Stadium". Thornton Tomasetti. January 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  5. ^ "Los Angeles Football Club Soccer Stadium and PCL Construction Participating in Hiring Event" (Press release). Los Angeles Football Club. March 10, 2016. Archived from the original on June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  6. ^ Dwyer, Alex (April 19, 2018). "LAFC's Banc of California Stadium is officially open for business". Major League Soccer.
  7. ^ "Learn More — Banc of California Stadium — An Unmatched Experience". bancofcaliforniastadium.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  8. ^ "LAFC, Banc of California End Stadium Naming Rights Deal Early". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. May 27, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  9. ^ "LAFC's home venue renamed as BMO Stadium". MLSsoccer.com. January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  10. ^ Baxter, Kevin (May 17, 2015). "Expansion L.A. Soccer Team Plans New Stadium on Sports Arena Site". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  11. ^ "LAFC owners join with Los Angeles business and community leaders to break ground on Banc of California Stadium" (Press release). Los Angeles FC. August 23, 2016. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  12. ^ Koren, James Rufus (August 23, 2016). "Banc of California snags naming rights for L.A. Football Club soccer stadium". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  13. ^ Novy-Williams, Eben (August 23, 2016). "Bank Run by 41-Year-Old Signs $100 Million Stadium-Name Deal". Bloomberg News. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  14. ^ "LAFC Job Fair Flyer" (PDF). Los Angeles Football Club. March 10, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  15. ^ "RIP Sports Arena: Aerial Shots Capture Demolished Former Home Of Lakers, Clippers, DNC". CBS Los Angeles. September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  16. ^ Brewer, Ashley (April 18, 2018). "Los Angeles Football Club's Banc of California Stadium officially unveiled in Exposition Park". ABC 7. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  17. ^ Baxter, Kevin (December 18, 2017). "LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  18. ^ "Boxscore: Los Angeles Football Club vs. Seattle Sounders FC 04/30/2018 | Matchcenter".
  19. ^ Novy-Williams, Eben (May 27, 2020). "Banc of California Paid $20 Million to End L.A. Soccer Stadium Name Agreement". Variety. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  20. ^ Baxter, Kevin (January 19, 2023). "LAFC announces renaming of Banc of California Stadium to BMO Stadium". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  21. ^ "Banc of California Stadium Facts | LAFC — Los Angeles Football Club". LAFC. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  22. ^ "New renderings of LAFC stadium". urbanizela.com. April 10, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  23. ^ "Bar offers unique experience for LAFC's 3,252 supporters | MLSsoccer.com".
  24. ^ "Pool parties, secret rooms, local culture: 10 Things About LAFC's new home | MLSsoccer.com".
  25. ^ "LA 2024 - Los Angeles 2024 Olympic Bid". la24.org. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  26. ^ "New York City FC Announces Home Venue for Upcoming Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Match Against Santos de Guápiles Fútbol Club". New York City FC. January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  27. ^ "LAFC To Host Rugby Sevens At Banc Of California Stadium — LAFC — Los Angeles Football Club". April 4, 2017. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017.
  28. ^ "Grand Prix Network". Grand Prix Network. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  29. ^ "Los Angeles". PremierLacrosseLeague. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  30. ^ "Navarrete stops De Vaca in 3rd round, keeps belt". ESPN.com. August 18, 2019.
  31. ^ Netherton, Alexander (September 10, 2022). "Austin McBroom vs. AnEsonGib: Date, start time, TV channel and live stream". DAZN. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  32. ^ Trakin, Roy (June 1, 2018). "Banc of California Stadium Launches as Concert Venue Saturday With KIIS/iHeart's Wango Tango". Variety. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  33. ^ "Beck Setlist at Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles". setlist.fm.
  34. ^ "Banc of California Stadium Hires Cori Gadbury as Its First VP of Marketing". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  35. ^ "K-kop Phenoms TWICE Add Second Los Angeles Show At Banc of California Stadium On Highly Anticipated 4th World Tour 'III' Encore". Live Nation Entertainment. April 7, 2022.
  36. ^ "BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK]|BMO Stadium". bmostadium.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  37. ^ "TXT sells out LA stadium concerts for world tour ACT: SWEET MIRAGE". Bollywood Hungama. May 23, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023. BIGHIT MUSIC announced today that the shows for 'TOMORROW X TOGETHER WORLD TOUR'...at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles had been sold out. The shows are to take place on May 27 and 28.
  38. ^ Aversa, Ralphie (May 30, 2023). "Tomorrow X Together on the group's new music, proudest moment and go-to Five Guys order". USA Today. Retrieved August 4, 2023. TXT's U.S. tour wrapped Memorial Day weekend, with dates at the 22,000-seat BMO Stadium in Los Angeles
  39. ^ "RBD announces 4th date in Los Angeles (in Spanish)". El Imparcial. January 30, 2023.
  40. ^ "RBD fans swarm BMO Stadium to celebrate highly-anticipated reunion tour". abc. January 21, 2023.
  41. ^ "RBD breaks phenomenal record: more than 800 thousand tickets sold in 24 hours". Telehit. January 30, 2023.
  42. ^ Statt, Nick (June 17, 2018). "Fortnite's celebrity tournament felt like a trial run for Epic's grand e-sports ambitions". The Verge. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
Events and tenants
Preceded by
first stadium
 Home of
Los Angeles FC
2018–present 		Succeeded by
current
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