With just 30 days to go until the World Cup kicks off in Los Angeles, the city is buzzing with excitement—and for good reason. Transportation and food plans are locked in, but there's one key element still coming together: the playing surface. The U.S. Men's National Team will open their tournament at SoFi Stadium (temporarily renamed Los Angeles Stadium) against Paraguay on June 12, the first of eight matches hosted at the NFL venue in Inglewood.
That all changes this Wednesday, when fresh sod arrives after a 1,600-mile journey from Washington state in refrigerated trucks. Installation will take just two days. "This surface is the players' stage," said Otto Benedict, senior vice president of facilities and campus operations at SoFi Stadium.
Field construction began on April 13, following a Monster Jam event where 12,000-pound trucks tore through the venue. Since then, crews have been hard at work transforming the shared home of the NFL's Rams and Chargers into a world-class soccer pitch. Corner seats were removed to create wider dimensions and auxiliary space, meeting FIFA's strict specifications. A sophisticated irrigation system has also been installed to keep the grass in top condition through the tournament's eight matches.
"To be the place where the energy first ignites, where the home crowd gets to set the tone for the rest of the tournament, is a responsibility we don't take lightly," Benedict added.
The progress was celebrated by local World Cup organizers and community ambassador Magic Johnson, who pointed out his suite from the stands. "When you think about the financial impact it's going to have on Los Angeles, it's amazing," said Johnson, a co-owner of LAFC in MLS and the Washington Spirit in the NWSL.
Stadium signage is already being swapped out to reflect the tournament's branding, replacing usual sponsors. For fans looking to get in on the action, stadium tours during the World Cup are available for $86.50, while premium seating, suites, and hospitality packages are still up for grabs. And when hunger strikes, the menu will feature a wide variety of food and drink options to keep the energy high.
With the countdown on, Los Angeles is nearly ready to welcome the world—and the grass is almost here to match the occasion.