Los Angeles Stadium, a futuristic stadium that serves as the flagship priority venue for the 2026 World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup will bring a new experience for football fans. One of the most attention-grabbing venues is SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the Los Angeles metropolitan area, United States. Officially opened on 8 September 2020, this stadium is not only known as one of the most expensive stadiums in the world, but also offers an architectural concept different from all other stadiums used for this tournament.

SoFi Stadium has a base seating capacity of approximately 70,240 spectators. However, for international scale events, this capacity can be expanded to hold over 100,000 people. This stadium also serves as the home ground for two National Football League (NFL) teams, namely the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.

Behind its grandeur, SoFi Stadium was constructed with an investment of around US$5–5.5 billion. This value makes it one of the highest-cost sports stadiums ever built in history.

For the 2026 World Cup, SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host eight matches, including knockout stage fixtures through to the quarter-finals. This stadium will also take a major role again for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, as the venue for the opening ceremony and host for multiple sports competitions.

One of SoFi Stadium's main attractions is its modern design. It is the only 2026 World Cup venue that uses a permanent roof. Its transparent roof is made from ETFE material that allows natural sunlight to enter the stadium interior, while still protecting spectators from harsh heat and rain. This concept creates a semi-open atmosphere that is not offered by any other stadium in the tournament.

The stadium's grandeur is further enhanced by the Infinity Screen, an oval-shaped video display suspended above the centre of the arena. This giant screen is counted among the largest of its kind in the world, and is able to deliver maximum visual experience for spectators in every corner of the stadium.

There is also an interesting fact behind its construction process. Due to its location close to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), SoFi Stadium was built approximately 24 metres below ground level. This step was taken so that the stadium structure would not interfere with the flight paths of aircraft passing over the area.

Its futuristic design has earned SoFi Stadium the nickname "The Spaceship". This title comes from the building's form that resembles a spacecraft, while also establishing it as one of the icons of modern architecture in the United States.

SoFi Stadium is also part of the integrated Hollywood Park development, which spans across approximately 300 acres of land. This complex does not only include the stadium, it is also equipped with shopping centres, office spaces, hotels, and public open areas that make it an international-scale entertainment destination.

Aside from being a sports stage, this stadium also regularly holds major global events. A number of international musicians including Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have held concerts at SoFi Stadium. Additionally, this stadium has also hosted prestigious events such as the Super Bowl and WrestleMania.

With its combination of technology, futuristic architecture, and world-class facilities, SoFi Stadium is predicted to become one of the most iconic venues throughout the 2026 World Cup. This modern roofed stadium with its semi-open concept will deliver a distinct experience for all spectators who will attend the world's greatest football celebration.