About BMO Stadium
BMO Stadium sits in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, adjacent to the Memorial Coliseum and the USC campus, one block from the I-110 freeway. At 22,000 seats, it’s one of the largest soccer-specific stadiums in MLS — and one of the loudest, thanks to a design that traps crowd noise under a cable-supported ETFE canopy.
Home to Los Angeles FC since 2018 and Angel City FC of the NWSL since 2022, BMO Stadium was purpose-built for soccer in a city that had waited decades for a venue that matched the sport’s ambitions. The playing field was excavated 22 feet into the ground, creating an intimate bowl where the closest seats sit just 12 feet from the pitch and the steepest section rises at a 34-degree angle.
Gensler designed the $350 million stadium on the former site of the LA Memorial Sports Arena, which was demolished in 2016. Construction took less than two years. The venue earned LEED Gold certification and became the first open-air stadium built in Los Angeles since Dodger Stadium opened in 1962. The north end’s 3,252-capacity safe-standing section — home to LAFC’s supporters’ group, The 3252 — features angled handrails modeled after roller coasters.
Beyond MLS and NWSL matches, BMO Stadium has hosted CONCACAF Gold Cup matches, international friendlies, blink-182’s reunion concerts, and Korn’s 30th anniversary show. In 2023, the venue welcomed over 1.3 million guests, earning a Pollstar Top 5 Worldwide Stadium ranking.
Getting to BMO Stadium
Public Transit
The Metro E Line (Expo Line) is the best way to reach BMO Stadium. The Expo Park/USC station sits about a half-mile north — an easy 8-minute walk down Expo Park Blvd and Figueroa Street.
→ From Downtown LA: Board the E Line at 7th Street/Metro Center heading west. The ride to Expo Park/USC takes about 10 minutes. Trains run every 8-12 minutes on match days.
→ From Santa Monica: Take the E Line eastbound from Downtown Santa Monica station. The ride is about 45 minutes to Expo Park/USC.
Fare is $1.75 each way with a TAP card. Buy your round-trip fare before the match to skip the lines afterward. Bus routes 40, 81, and DASH also serve the area.
Driving + Parking
BMO Stadium sits near the convergence of the I-110 and I-10 freeways, just one block from the 110. GPS users should enter “3939 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037.”
→ From Downtown LA (~4 mi): Take I-110 South to Exit 20A (Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd). Turn left and continue to the stadium entrance.
→ From Santa Monica (~13 mi): Take I-10 East toward downtown, exit onto Figueroa Street, and head south. The stadium is on your right.
→ From Pasadena (~14 mi): Take I-110 South through downtown LA, continuing south. Exit at Exposition Blvd or MLK Jr. Blvd, then proceed to Figueroa Street.
Expo Park offers several lots: the Blue Structure, Yellow Lot, Pink Lot, and the premium Gold Lot. General parking runs $25-40. Pre-purchase through the LAFC app or Ticketmaster — lots are limited and passes sell out quickly. Third-party options on SpotHero and ParkWhiz start around $15. Over 100 bike racks are available around the stadium.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft have a designated pickup and drop-off zone at the corner of Figueroa Street and MLK Jr. Boulevard. On match days, an enhanced rideshare zone operates in the Green Lot near the Southeast Entrance for easier access.
Pro tip: BMO Stadium is fully cashless, so make sure your rideshare app payment is set up before you arrive. Walk a block or two from the immediate stadium area after the match for faster pickups and lower surge pricing.
From the Airport
→ Los Angeles International (LAX): 9 miles southwest, 20-30 minutes by car. By transit, take the LAX FlyAway bus to Union Station, then Metro to Expo Park/USC — about 60 minutes total.
→ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR): 13 miles north, 25-35 minutes by car. No direct transit — rideshare or car rental is your best bet.
History of BMO Stadium
When LAFC was awarded an MLS expansion franchise in 2014, the ownership group — which includes Magic Johnson, Will Ferrell, and Mia Hamm — set out to build a soccer-specific stadium that could match the intensity of the world’s best. They chose a site in Exposition Park, demolishing the aging Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in August 2016 to make room. Architect Gensler designed a 22,000-seat bowl excavated 22 feet below street level, with a translucent ETFE canopy to trap crowd noise while keeping the venue open-air.
- Groundbreaking (August 23, 2016): Construction began on the $350 million privately funded project.
- First Match (April 29, 2018): LAFC defeated Seattle Sounders 1-0 on a Laurent Ciman stoppage-time goal in front of a sold-out crowd.
- Carlos Vela’s Record Season (2019): Vela scored 34 goals at BMO Stadium en route to the MLS single-season goals record, earning league MVP honors.
- MLS Cup 2022 (November 5, 2022): LAFC defeated Philadelphia Union 3-3 (3-0 on penalties) in one of the most dramatic finals in MLS history. Gareth Bale’s 128th-minute equalizer forced the shootout, and John McCarthy saved two penalties to seal the title.
- BMO Naming Rights (January 19, 2023): The Bank of Montreal became the new naming rights partner in a 10-year, $100 million deal — the largest in MLS history by annual value. The venue was renamed from Banc of California Stadium to BMO Stadium.
- 1.3 Million Guests (2023): The stadium hosted 45 soccer matches, 24 concert nights, and 150+ special events, drawing over 1.3 million visitors and earning a Pollstar Top 5 Worldwide Stadium ranking.
- Angel City FC Expansion (2022-present): The NWSL’s Angel City FC made BMO Stadium their home venue, adding a second professional tenant and growing the venue’s year-round calendar.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
The 3252 — LAFC's north end supporters' section — holds exactly 3,252 safe-standing spots built at a 34-degree incline, the steepest in MLS.
BMO Stadium was the first open-air stadium built in Los Angeles since Dodger Stadium in 1962 — a gap of 56 years.
BMO Stadium welcomed over 1.3 million guests in 2023 across soccer matches, concerts, and events, earning a Pollstar Top 5 Worldwide Stadium ranking.
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the seating capacity of BMO Stadium?
- BMO Stadium seats 22,000 for soccer matches. For concerts, capacity can expand to approximately 24,000 with floor seating. It's one of the largest soccer-specific stadiums in MLS.
- Where is BMO Stadium located?
- BMO Stadium is at 3939 S Figueroa Street in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, adjacent to the LA Memorial Coliseum and USC campus. It sits one block from the I-110 freeway.
- How do I get to BMO Stadium by public transit?
- Take the Metro E Line (Expo Line) to Expo Park/USC station. From there, it's an 8-minute walk south along Expo Park Blvd and Figueroa Street to the stadium entrance. Fare is $1.75 each way with a TAP card.
- Is there parking at BMO Stadium?
- Yes. Expo Park offers several lots including the Blue Structure, Yellow Lot, Pink Lot, and Gold Lot. General parking runs $25-40 depending on the event. Pre-purchase through the LAFC app or Ticketmaster — passes sell out quickly. Third-party options on SpotHero start around $15.
- Is BMO Stadium the same as Banc of California Stadium?
- Yes. The venue opened as Banc of California Stadium in 2018. It was renamed BMO Stadium in January 2023 after the Bank of Montreal became the new naming rights partner in a 10-year, $100 million deal — the largest in MLS history.
- When was BMO Stadium built?
- BMO Stadium broke ground on August 23, 2016, on the former site of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. It opened on April 18, 2018. The stadium was designed by Gensler and cost approximately $350 million, entirely privately funded.
- Is BMO Stadium cashless?
- Yes. BMO Stadium is fully cashless. It accepts debit cards, credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay only. There are no ATMs on the property.
- Can I bring a bag to BMO Stadium?
- BMO Stadium enforces a clear bag policy. Bags must be clear plastic and no larger than 12" x 6" x 12", or a one-gallon clear Ziploc-style bag. Non-clear bags of any size are not allowed.
Last updated: 2026-02-24
