Hornet's Nest
Historic home of the Rams, Trojans, and Olympic glory.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a multi-purpose stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It was commissioned in 1921 and completed in 1923 as a memorial to Los Angeles veterans of World War I. The stadium currently serves as the home of the University of Southern California Trojans football team.
- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Affiliation
- University of Southern California Trojans
- Seating Capacity
- over 70,000
- Notable Feature
- Hosted the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics, and will host the 2028 Olympics
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The Coliseum was the home of the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL from 1946 to 1979 and again from 2016 to 2019. It was the site of Super Bowl I and Super Bowl VII. It also hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1958 to 1961, the Los Angeles Chargers in 1960, the Los Angeles Raiders from 1982 to 1994, and UCLA Bruins football. The stadium was designated a National Historic Landmark on July 27, 1984, and will become the first stadium to host the Summer Olympics three times when it hosts the 2028 Olympics.
In Their Own Story
On November 19, 2022, the Hornets set a school record for highest attendance for a football game, winning the Causeway Classic over UC Davis 27–21 in their regular season home finale with an official crowd of 23,073. The 2022 team went on to go undefeated in the regular season for the first time in school history, finishing 11–0, alongside setting a record for most wins in a season at 12. The team also achieved the highest rankings in the major FCS polls, reaching as high as No. 2 in both the STATS and the Coaches Polls. Prior to that, on September 24, 2011, the Hornets defeated FCS national power Montana, the program's first win ever over the Grizzlies, by a score of 42–28 in Hornet Stadium.
Reader's Guide
As of 2016, the Coliseum had a permanent seating capacity of 93,607 for USC football and Rams games. The field runs east to west with the press box on the south side. The stadium features two HD video jumbotrons installed in 2017, and the peristyle was renamed the Julia and George Argyros Plaza after renovations completed in 2019.
Did You Know?
- The Coliseum was originally built with a capacity of 75,144.
- The Olympic cauldron and rings remain above the peristyle at the east end.
- The stadium underwent a $315 million renovation completed in 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the term Hornet's Nest refer to in Rams history?
This nickname describes the intense atmosphere and intimidating presence of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum when hosting home games. It symbolizes how difficult it is for opposing teams to navigate the passionate Southern California fanbase within this historic venue.
Where is the Hornet's Nest located geographically?
The stadium sits in Exposition Park, located in the city of Los Angeles, California. It serves as the permanent home ground for the franchise during their tenure in the region.
When did the Rams first begin playing at this venue?
The Rams officially started their tenure playing at this venue in 1945. This marked the beginning of a long legacy that includes multiple championship eras for the organization.
Which legendary group is associated with the Hornet's Nest?
The famous defensive line known as the Fearsome Foursome roared to life within these walls during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their dominance helped forge legends and defined a golden era for Southern California football culture.
What is the seating capacity for NFL games at this stadium?
The venue holds approximately 70,000 spectators or more during regular professional matches. This large capacity contributes to the overwhelming noise level that defines the Hornet's Nest experience.
More in Stadium & Culture
Related in Los Angeles Rams
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Los Angeles Rams universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record