The Los Angeles Rams’ 2016 marked the beginning and end of some tenures for the organization. Head coach Jeff Fisher was fired during a horrid losing streak, while the organization elected to debut No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff to their fan base.
The organization is almost done with their first season back in Los Angeles, with football returning to Los Angeles for the first time in 21 years. Upon a 3-1 start, the Rams faltered and now find themselves with a 4-11 record, going into their final game of the season.
The Rams have used the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as their temporary home, sharing the field with the USC Trojans. During this time period, construction has begun for the Rams’ permanent home: the Inglewood stadium.
HKS Architects, a group that designed the 70,000-seat stadium, is taking a different approach to the one they had for the Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium roof. With the California weather being as friendly as it is, they are more focused on bracing towards the wind and sun that comes with California.
The venue features a complete 360-degree opening, which will allow natural air to infiltrate the stadium. The $2.6 billion Inglewood stadium encompasses a 300-acre site, which used to have the Hollywood Park racetrack.
The Inglewood stadium itself is only expected to take up 60 acres, meaning the rest of the space will be used for retail, dining, hospitality and residential purposes. With that plot of land, the Inglewood stadium will sit at the center.
Part of the fan experience involves seating and the environment. When talking a look at the seating plan, the Inglewood stadium will feature premium seating, via Tim Newcomb of SI.com:
Inside, the new stadium has one of the highest percentages of premium seats in the league, matching the demographics of the 10 million residents nearby. Williams says they will have options in a range of styles to meet varying price points, but still expect an “L.A.-based market design.”
Being known for having the largest footprint of any NFL stadium surely does come with expectations, with security playing a key factor. They want the fans to enjoy the park, paths and lake of the plaza area after being let in, without being disturbed by security. The park will remain open on non-gamedays, becoming an attraction itself.
A unique fact about the stadium lies with the location. The city of Inglewood lays directly next to LAX, meaning the building was given a height limit so that it doesn’t interfere with the path of the daily flights to perhaps the busiest airport in the United States.
While being seated at the stadium, fans will witness a two-sided center video board that encompasses the entire stadium interior. No matter where you sit, multiple video boards will be visible.
Although the Rams have two seasons remaining with the Coliseum, the Inglewood stadium will provide the official stamp for the return of a NFL franchise in Los Angeles.
