LOS ANGELES — The University of Southern California football team is expected to play its 2028 home season at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood rather than at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, sources familiar with planning say, as preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games reshape the venerable on-campus venue.
The move would mark a significant break from tradition for USC, which has called the Coliseum home since 1923, with generations of Trojans taking the field in the historic stadium. But as part of LA28 Olympic preparations, organizers plan to install a temporary Olympic-sized track and field configuration at the Coliseum to host track and field events during the Games. The temporary track requires substantial construction that removes the regular playing surface and seating arrangements, to the extent that the stadium likely would not be ready in time for the college football season that traditionally begins in September 2028.
To accommodate that work and ensure USC has a suitable venue for its fall schedule, athletic officials and Olympic planners have discussed relocating Trojans home games to SoFi Stadium, which is also the home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. SoFi, which has a modern infrastructure and larger capacity, is seen as the most feasible location for USC football during the construction and transition period.
The logistics follow from the demanding requirements of hosting Olympic track and field competition, which include building a regulation track surface and supporting infrastructure well ahead of the Games. Construction is expected to begin at the Coliseum soon after the end of USC’s 2027 home schedule, leaving a narrow window to restore the stadium if the team were to remain at the Coliseum in 2028. Olympic planners have described the Coliseum renovation as one of the most complex elements of preparations for LA28.
If confirmed, the relocation would represent a historic shift for USC football and its supporters, many of whom treasure memories of classic matchups at the Coliseum. Discussions continue between the university, Olympic organizers and city officials, and final plans are expected to be announced as arrangements are solidified. This move would also coincide with broader changes in Southern California sports venue usage in 2028, including Olympic ceremonies and competitions scheduled between the Coliseum and SoFi Stadium.
USC officials have acknowledged the discussions but have not yet released final details or a formal announcement.
