Los Angeles’ World Cup stadium awaits new grass pitch 30 days before its first match

Los Angeles is gearing up for the World Cup , with transportation and food provisions firmly in place, yet the crucial playing surface at SoFi Stadium remains a work in progress just 30 days before its inaugural match. The US men's team is scheduled to open their campaign against Paraguay on 12 June at the venue, which will be known as Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament, hosting eight matches in total. As of Tuesday, the pitch was still an expanse of dirt.

However, this is set to change dramatically on Wednesday, when fresh sod, transported 1,600 miles in refrigerated lorries from Washington state, begins its two-day installation process. Otto Benedict, SoFi Stadium’s senior vice president of facilities and campus operations, underscored its importance, stating: "This surface is the players’ stage". Construction on the field commenced on 13 April, following a Monster Jam event that saw 12,000-pound trucks compete.

The stadium, home to the NFL 's Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, underwent a two-phase modification, including the removal of corner seats to create wider dimensions and auxiliary space, meeting FIFA specifications, alongside the installation of a sophisticated irrigation system. Construction on the field began on 13 April after the stadium hosted a Monster Jam event in which 12,000-pound trucks competed in racing, skills and freestyle competitions (Associated Press) "To be the place where the energy first ignites, where the home crowd gets to set the tone for the rest of the tournament is a responsibility we don’t take lightly,” Benedict said. Construction, landscape, grass and engineering crews were applauded by local World Cup organizers and community ambassador Magic Johnson, who pointed out his suite where he'll be watching.

"When you think about the financial impact it's going to have on Los Angeles, it's going to be amazing”, said Johnson, who is a co-owner of LAFC in Major League Soccer and the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League . Already coming down was signage advertising the stadium's usual sponsors. Tours of the stadium during the tournament are being sold for $86.