The Los Angeles Rams are set to begin a new era when they open up the 2020 NFL season at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
The Rams have been planning their new, permanent residence ever since their relocation in 2016. They have since spent the past four seasons in a familiar setting at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Fortunately, the time has finally come for all of their long-term plans to come to fruition. It appears the new venue is nearing its completion.
Recent reports indicate that construction is about 85 percent complete and Rams media members made sure to provide a loom at the progress that has been made when they toured the new stadium on Wednesday afternoon:
See how much progress we've made! #SoFiStadium is over 8️⃣ 5️⃣ % complete. pic.twitter.com/g5m52X4JAC
— SoFi Stadium (@SoFiStadium) January 22, 2020
Video inside @SoFiStadium of the Oculus and the roof pic.twitter.com/N3jnoF08g1
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 22, 2020
The entrance to the suite level and the view from level 6. pic.twitter.com/psg8dsua6i
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) January 22, 2020
This, at the south end of the stadium, will be the 6,000-seat amphitheater for concerts and events. pic.twitter.com/IcVkbvkOtc
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) January 22, 2020
SoFi Stadium pic.twitter.com/X6HZLT8PF8
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) January 22, 2020
SoFi Stadium coming together. pic.twitter.com/yJbianHCY1
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) January 22, 2020
📸 of SoFi Stadium’s roof.
Per Tawa Sulaiman, Roof Structure Superintendent, Turner AECOM-Hunt Joint Venture, 122 of the 302 panels are in place. When all are in place, 46 of them will have the ability to be controlled to be open/closed. Will help w/ ventilation on hot gamedays pic.twitter.com/PLLbOfqavR
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 22, 2020
There is no question that building a $5 billion, state-of-the-art venue comes with its own set of unique challenges. Fortunately, it seems everything is on track for the Rams to kick things off once the 2020 campaign rolls around since it is expected to host a pair of Taylor Swift concerts in late July.
Team owner and real estate tycoon Stan Kroenke has spared no expense for the future home of the Rams as well as the Los Angeles Chargers. It is clear that he is adamant about providing fans with an innovative in-game experience by featuring amenities not yet established in other stadiums around the league.
Although SoFi may be nearing completion, there is no question that this roster is still a work in progress. After all, the Rams fell vastly short of expectations after following up their Super Bowl run by missing the playoffs with a 9-7 record.
The team has since ushered in some significant changes to their coaching staff and it remains to be seen just how much turnover they will experience from a personnel standpoint. If the Rams plans on opening their new home in style, they will need to address a number of voids this offseason.
