Wikipedia

BMO Stadium

(Redirected fromBanc of California Stadium)
Not to be confused withBMO Fieldin Toronto, Canada.

BMO Stadium(formerlyBanc of California Stadium) is asoccer-specific stadiumin theExposition Parkneighborhood ofLos Angeles, California.It is the home ofMajor League Soccer'sLos Angeles FCand theNational Women's Soccer League'sAngel City FC.Opened on April 18, 2018,[6][3]it was the first open-air stadium built in the city of Los Angeles sinceDodger Stadiumin 1962.[7]

BMO Stadium
The Bank
The west side stands onFigueroa Street
BMO Stadium is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
BMO Stadium
BMO Stadium
BMO Stadium is located in California
BMO Stadium
BMO Stadium
Location inCalifornia
BMO Stadium is located in the United States
BMO Stadium
BMO Stadium
Location in theUnited States
Former namesBanc of California Stadium (2016–2023)
Address3939 South Figueroa Street
LocationLos Angeles, California,U.S.
Coordinates34°00′46.0″N118°17′02.7″W/ 34.012778°N 118.284083°W/34.012778; -118.284083
Public transitE LineExpo Park/USC
OwnerLos Angeles FC
Executive suites35
Capacity22,000
SurfaceBermuda grass
ScoreboardPanasonic[1]
Construction
Broke groundAugust 23, 2016[2]
OpenedApril 18, 2018[6][3]
Construction cost$350 million[3]
ArchitectGensler
Structural engineerThornton Tomasetti[4]
Services engineerM–E Engineers, Inc.
General contractorPCL Construction Services, Inc.[5]
Tenants
Los Angeles FC(MLS) (2018–present)
Angel City FC(NWSL) (2022–present)
Website
Official website

Constructed on the site of the formerLos Angeles Memorial Sports Arena,it is located next to theLos Angeles Memorial Coliseumand just south of the main campus of theUniversity 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 millionnaming rightsdeal withBanc of Californiain 2016 for the stadium. The deal was terminated in 2020, with the club announcing an eventual renaming in the coming years.[8]In 2023,Bank of Montreal(BMO) was announced as the new stadium sponsor.[9]

History

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Planning and construction

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TheLos Angeles Timesreported on May 17, 2015, that the team chose the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena site to build a 22,000-seatstate-of-the-artstadium 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, theLos Angeles City Councilapproved 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 millionnaming rightsdeal for the stadium with theBanc of California.[11][12][13]Demolition of theLos Angeles Memorial Sports Arenabegan shortly after the groundbreaking and was completed by October 2016.[14][15]

Opening

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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 againstSeattle Sounders FC,with the home side winning 1–0.[17][18]The lone goal was scored byLaurent Cimanin 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]TheBank of Montrealwas announced as the new naming rights sponsor on January 19, 2023, shortly after acquiring the California-basedBank of the West.[9][20]

In November 2020, it was announced that the newly formedAngel City FCof theNational Women's Soccer Leaguewould play at the stadium.

Features

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Design

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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) ofwalkwaysandplazasopen to the public. The stadium also features press box suites with awater fountain.[21][22]

The ground's North End is home to the "3252" supporters group, so named for the number of seats in thesafe standingsection. It was built at an incline of 34 degrees and features angled handrails that are designed to resemble those used onrollercoasters.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) ofETFE film.[21]The field is 86,000 square feet (8,000 m2) of improvedbermuda grass.[21]

Five percent of the stadium's parking spaces haveelectric vehicle charging stationsand 20% electric vehicle ready infrastructure.[21]The stadium has 440 planned parking spaces for bicycles and abike pathto the stadium as part of theMy Figueroa Project.[21]The stadium is aLEED Silvercertified building.[21]

2028 Summer Olympics

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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 whenLos Angeleshosts the2028 Summer Olympics.[25]

Major events

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Soccer

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The stadium was a venue for the2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.It hosted two matches in Group C. It also hosted the2021 MLS All-Star Gameon August 25, 2021.

Date Home Team Result Away Team Tournament Spectators
May 22, 2018 Los Angeles FC 1–1 Borussia Dortmund Club Friendly 22,000
January 31, 2019 Los Angeles FC 4–1 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 Los Angeles FC 2–0 Peñarol Club Friendly 16,292
June 26, 2021 El Salvador 0–0 Guatemala International Friendly 22,000
August 25, 2021 MLS All-Stars 1–1
(3–2 on pens.)		 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 New York City FC 4–0 Santos de Guápiles 2022 CONCACAF Champions League
Round of 16
(2nd leg)		 100
November 5, 2022 Los Angeles FC 3–3
(3–0 on pens.)		 Philadelphia Union MLS Cup 2022 22,384
January 25, 2023 United States 1–2 Serbia International Friendly 11,475
March 15, 2023 Los Angeles FC 1–2 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 Los Angeles FC 3–0 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2023 CONCACAF Champions League
Quarterfinals
(2nd leg)		 18,688
May 2, 2023 Los Angeles FC 3–0 Philadelphia Union 2023 CONCACAF Champions League
Semifinals
(2nd leg)		 19,985
June 4, 2023 Los Angeles FC 0–1 León 2023 CONCACAF Champions League final(2nd leg) 22,413
September 27, 2023 Los Angeles FC 0–0
(2–4 on pens.)		 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 Guadalajara 0–0 Atlas Club Friendly
September 25, 2024 Los Angeles FC 3–1 Sporting Kansas City 2024 U.S. Open Cup final

The stadium served as the "home" venue forNew York City FCduring the2022 CONCACAF Champions LeagueRound of 16 due to issues with the club's other venues in theNew York metropolitan area.Their primary and secondary stadiums (Yankee StadiumandCiti Field,respectively) were not approved by CONCACAF for use in the tournament, while the soccer-specificRed Bull Arenawas undergoing renovations. Banc of California Stadium was chosen due to New York City FC's upcoming MLS regular season match to be played against theLA Galaxyat the nearbyDignity Health Sports Park.[26]

Other sports

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Rugby Union

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It was announced on April 4, 2017, that the stadium would be host torugby sevenstournaments. 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, norugby uniongames have been played at the stadium.

Lacrosse

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It was announced on April 1, 2019, that the stadium would host the inauguralPremier Lacrosse LeagueAll-Star Gameon July 21, 2019.[29]

Bo xing

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On August 17, 2019, Banc of California Stadium held its first bo xing event, aWorld Bo xing Organizationjunior featherweighttitle fight withEmanuel Navarretesuccessfully defending his title againstFrancisco De Vacaby 3rd roundtechnical knockout.[30]The stadium held Austin McBroom vs. AnEsonGib on September 10, 2022, aprofessional crossover bo xingevent.[31]

Other events

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Concerts

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BMO Stadium is also designed to host concerts and other musical events. It hostedKIIS-FM's2018 Wango Tango concerton June 2 of that year.[32]Beckappeared in October 2018.[33]

Mumford & Sonsbrought theirDelta Tourto the stadium on August 3, 2019.Iron Maiden'sLegacy of the Beast World Tourwas announced for September 14, 2019 at the stadium as well.[34]

TheRolling Loudhip-hop music festival was held at the stadium in 2018 and 2019.Post Malone,Lil Wayne,Cardi B,andLil Uzi Vert,among others, performed at the 2018 show, whileChance the Rapper,Young Thug,Lil Baby,Future,A$AP Rocky,Meek Mill,YG,andPlayboi Cartiwere part of the 2019 show.

Hard rockbandGuns N' Rosesplayed a sold-out show on August 19, 2021, as part of theirWe're F'N' Back! Tour.The show grossed over $3.4 million and was attended by 21,950 patrons.

K-popgirl groupTwiceheld the encore concert for their4th World Tour 'III'on May 14–15, 2022.[35]The Killersperformed a sold-out show with 23,439 attendees for theirImploding the Mirage Touron August 27. As part of theirParadise Again World Tour,EDM supergroupSwedish House Mafiaplayed a sold out show on September 9.K-popgirl groupBlackpinkplayed two nights at the stadium on November 19 & 20, 2022.[36]

In 2023,K-popboy groupTomorrow X Togetherperformed two sold-out shows on May 27 and 28 as part of theirAct Sweet Mirage Tour.[37][38]Hard Summerhosted part of their 2023 festival at the stadium on August 5 and 6, which included the nearbyLos Angeles Memorial ColiseumandExposition Park.Mexican groupRBDis set to perform four concerts on October 18–20 and 22 as part of theirreunion tour,marking the first time the group will be performing live together in 15 years.[39][40][41]Queen + Adam Lambertare slated to play two consecutive shows, on November 11 and 12, as part of theirRhapsody 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-popboy groupAteezperformed at the stadium two shows as part of their Towards the Light: Will to Power Tour on July 20 and 21.

Cultural events

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LAFC has stated that Banc of California will be used for local cultural events in Los Angeles's9th District.[citation needed]

FortnitePro-Am event at BMO Stadium.

Esports

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In June 2018,Epic Gamesheld a celebrity pro-am event for its multiplayer online video gameFortnite Battle Royaleat Banc of California Stadium, as part of events coinciding with the2018 Electronic Entertainment Expo(E3). The event was won by a team of professional playerNinjaand electronic music producerMarshmello.[42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Banc of California Stadium Case Study"(PDF).Panasonic.RetrievedApril 19,2018.
  2. ^Rodriguez, Alicia (August 19, 2016)."LAFC to hold groundbreaking event for new stadium on Tuesday".MLS Soccer.RetrievedAugust 22,2016.
  3. ^abc"Magic, Nomar, Hamm open LAFC stadium".ESPN.RetrievedApril 19,2018.
  4. ^"Banc of California Stadium".Thornton Tomasetti. January 2018.RetrievedFebruary 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 fromthe originalon June 23, 2016.RetrievedJune 9,2016.
  6. ^abDwyer, 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.Archived fromthe originalon April 27, 2017.RetrievedApril 26,2017.
  8. ^"LAFC, Banc of California End Stadium Naming Rights Deal Early".Sports Illustrated.Associated Press.May 27, 2020.RetrievedJuly 26,2021.
  9. ^ab"LAFC's home venue renamed as BMO Stadium".MLSsoccer.January 19, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
  10. ^Baxter, Kevin (May 17, 2015)."Expansion L.A. Soccer Team Plans New Stadium on Sports Arena Site".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedJanuary 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 fromthe originalon August 25, 2016.RetrievedAugust 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.RetrievedAugust 23,2016.
  13. ^Novy-Williams, Eben (August 23, 2016)."Bank Run by 41-Year-Old Signs $100 Million Stadium-Name Deal".Bloomberg News.RetrievedAugust 25,2016.
  14. ^"LAFC Job Fair Flyer"(PDF).Los Angeles Football Club. March 10, 2016. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on April 19, 2016.RetrievedJune 9,2016.
  15. ^"RIP Sports Arena: Aerial Shots Capture Demolished Former Home Of Lakers, Clippers, DNC".CBS Los Angeles.September 14, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 16,2016.
  16. ^Brewer, Ashley (April 18, 2018)."Los Angeles Football Club's Banc of California Stadium officially unveiled in Exposition Park".ABC 7.RetrievedApril 18,2018.
  17. ^Baxter, Kevin (December 18, 2017)."LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedDecember 18,2017.
  18. ^ab"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 fromthe originalon June 7, 2020.RetrievedMay 30,2020.
  20. ^Baxter, Kevin (January 19, 2023)."LAFC announces renaming of Banc of California Stadium to BMO Stadium".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
  21. ^abcdefgh"Banc of California Stadium Facts | LAFC — Los Angeles Football Club".LAFC. Archived fromthe originalon February 28, 2017.RetrievedMarch 3,2017.
  22. ^"New renderings of LAFC stadium".urbanizela.April 10, 2017.RetrievedJune 8,2017.
  23. ^"Bar offers unique experience for LAFC's 3,252 supporters | MLSsoccer".
  24. ^"Pool parties, secret rooms, local culture: 10 Things About LAFC's new home | MLSsoccer".
  25. ^"LA 2024 - Los Angeles 2024 Olympic Bid".la24.org.Archived fromthe originalon February 19, 2017.RetrievedApril 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.RetrievedJanuary 11,2021.
  27. ^"LAFC To Host Rugby Sevens At Banc Of California Stadium — LAFC — Los Angeles Football Club".April 4, 2017. Archived fromthe originalon April 27, 2017.
  28. ^"Grand Prix Network".Grand Prix Network.Archived fromthe originalon November 8, 2020.RetrievedAugust 18,2019.
  29. ^"Los Angeles".PremierLacrosseLeague.Archived fromthe originalon April 1, 2019.RetrievedApril 1,2019.
  30. ^"Navarrete stops De Vaca in 3rd round, keeps belt".ESPN.August 18, 2019.
  31. ^Netherton, Alexander (September 10, 2022)."Austin McBroom vs. AnEsonGib: Date, start time, TV channel and live stream".DAZN.RetrievedSeptember 11,2022.
  32. ^Trakin, Roy (June 1, 2018)."Banc of California Stadium Launches as Concert Venue Saturday With KIIS/iHeart's Wango Tango".Variety.RetrievedMarch 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.RetrievedMarch 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.RetrievedAugust 11,2023.
  37. ^"TXT sells out LA stadium concerts for world tour ACT: SWEET MIRAGE".Bollywood Hungama.May 23, 2023.RetrievedAugust 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.RetrievedAugust 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.RetrievedMarch 8,2019.
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Events and tenants
Preceded by
first stadium
 Home of
Los Angeles FC
2018–present 		Succeeded by
current
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