It’s unclear when any fans will get to see it, but the $5 billion home of the Rams and Chargers was officially opened this week with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, setting the stage for a spectator-less debut this weekend.
Rams owner and project developer Stan Kroenke, Chargers owner Dean Spanos and Inglewood Mayor James Butts did the honors, using a ceremonially large scissors to snip a ribbon and formally open SoFi Stadium.
“We are in the team business, and you can’t get to a moment like today without a great team,’’ Kroenke said. “I would like to thank the 17,000 people who have worked on this project over the past four years. During a period of unrest and change in many parts of the country, it’s been our deepest privilege to work on a project this special with such a diverse workforce. Thank you for making our vision a reality.’’
With Kroenke developing and bankrolling the project, the Rams will be the stadium’s primary tenant, although the Chargers will share the venue. The Rams will christen the stadium Sunday night, when they take on the Dallas Cowboys in a nationally televised matchup.
But the stadium will be devoid of fans, thanks to the continuing coronavirus pandemic. The only occupants of the seats—which is designed for 70,000 fans but can hold up to 100,000 for select events—will be cardboard cutouts purchased by fans who want their faces to be in the stands.
The stadium instantly becomes Inglewood’s crown jewel, sitting adjacent to the Forum. A new Clippers arena will soon take shape across the street.
The stadium will ultimately be surrounded on the 300-acre property by a sweeping entertainment complex, including a performing arts venue.
The 3.1 million-square-foot stadium itself features more than 260 suites and a 70,000-square-foot wrap-around video board, billed as the only
