Who Plays in SoFi Stadium: What Most People Get Wrong

Who Plays in SoFi Stadium: What Most People Get Wrong

If you’re standing outside that massive, translucent canopy in Inglewood, it’s easy to feel like you’ve arrived at the center of the sporting universe. And honestly? You kinda have. But when people ask "who plays in SoFi Stadium," the answer isn’t just a single team or even just one sport anymore. It’s a rotating door of billion-dollar franchises, international soccer icons, and pop stars who can sell out 70,000 seats four nights in a row.

It is a crowded house.

Most stadiums are built for one tenant. SoFi was built for everyone. Right now, in 2026, the stadium is busier than it’s ever been, serving as the home base for two of the NFL's biggest brands while prepping for a literal global takeover.

The NFL Roommates: Rams and Chargers

The most obvious answer to who plays in SoFi Stadium starts with the NFL. This is one of the only buildings in the country where two professional football teams share the same lockers—well, separate lockers, but you get the point.

The Los Angeles Rams are the primary tenants. Owner Stan Kroenke basically willed this $5 billion "palace" into existence, and the Rams have definitely made it their own, especially since winning Super Bowl LVI on their own turf. For the 2026 season, the Rams' home schedule is a gauntlet. You’ve got the heavy hitters coming to town: the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Then there are the Los Angeles Chargers.

They moved in right alongside the Rams, but the vibe is different. While the Rams lean into that "Hollywood" glitz, the Chargers have been building a gritty, young roster that’s finally starting to fill those seats with powder blue jerseys. In 2026, the Chargers share the stadium for eight or nine regular-season home games, plus the preseason.

It’s a logistical nightmare for the grounds crew. Every Sunday (or Monday, or Thursday), the stadium has to transform. One day the end zones are painted Rams royal blue and sol; the next, they’re stripped and rebranded with Chargers bolt gold. Even the massive "Infinity Screen" by Samsung—that 70,000-square-foot 4K beast hanging from the roof—swaps its entire graphics package to match whoever is the "home" team that afternoon.

The World Stage: FIFA World Cup 2026

If you think NFL Sundays are intense, 2026 is taking things to a level Inglewood has never seen. This year, the answer to who plays in SoFi Stadium expands to the entire planet.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is officially here.

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SoFi is one of the crown jewel venues for the tournament. Because of FIFA’s strict rules about commercial names, the venue is technically referred to as "Los Angeles Stadium" for these matches, but everyone knows it's SoFi. The stadium is hosting eight total matches, including the high-stakes opening match for the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) on June 12, 2026, against Paraguay.

The schedule for the summer is absolutely packed:

  • June 12: USA vs. Paraguay (Group D)
  • June 15: Iran vs. New Zealand (Group G)
  • June 18: Switzerland vs. TBD (Group B)
  • June 21: Belgium vs. Iran (Group G)
  • June 25: USMNT vs. TBD (Group D)
  • June 28 & July 2: Round of 32 knockout matches
  • July 10: A massive Quarterfinal matchup

The grass situation is the big talking point among experts. Normally, the Rams and Chargers play on Matrix Turf (artificial). FIFA requires natural grass. To pull this off, the stadium has to install a sophisticated grass tray system over the turf, ensuring the pitch is world-class for superstars like Christian Pulisic or the Belgian "Golden Generation" holdovers.

Beyond the End Zone: The 2026 Concert Slate

You can't talk about who plays here without mentioning the musicians. The stadium is designed like an indoor-outdoor hybrid, meaning it’s acoustically interesting but visually stunning for tours.

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BTS is returning for a massive four-night residency in September 2026 as part of their world tour. They basically own this building; their previous "Permission to Dance" shows were some of the highest-grossing in the stadium's history. Following them, Bruno Mars is bringing "The Romantic Tour" for a two-night stint in October, supported by Anderson .Paak.

Even the comedy world has moved into the stadium. In March 2026, Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias and Jo Koy are co-headlining a "One Night Only" event. It’s rare for comedians to play venues this big—usually, it’s just the Kevin Harts of the world—but SoFi’s layout makes it possible to scale for a massive stand-up crowd.

The College Connection

Don't forget the kids. The LA Bowl is a permanent fixture in the December calendar. While the specific teams change every year based on Mountain West and Pac-12 (or what's left of it) rankings, the game has become a staple for local college football fans.

We also see the occasional "neutral site" kickoff game. There’s always talk about big-time programs like Alabama or Ohio State coming out west to play a season opener here because the recruiting perks of being in Los Angeles are too good to pass up.

What to Know Before You Go

If you’re planning to see who plays in SoFi Stadium in person, there are a few "pro tips" that actually matter. First, the stadium is huge. Walking from the parking lots (which are pricey, often $80+) to your seat can take 20 minutes.

Secondly, the "open-air" design is a bit of a lie. It’s covered by a roof, but the sides are open. This means if it's 60 degrees outside, it’s 60 degrees inside. If the wind is blowing off the Pacific, you’ll feel it in the upper decks. Bring a jacket, even for a July soccer match.

Lastly, the bag policy is strict. Clear bags only. No exceptions. They will make you walk all the way back to your car or pay for a locker if your bag is even an inch too big.

Planning Your Visit

  1. Check the Calendar Early: With the World Cup and NFL overlapping in 2026, hotel prices in Inglewood and near LAX are triple what they usually are. Book your stay at least six months out.
  2. Use the Shuttle: Look into the SoFi Stadium Shuttle from the Hawthorne/Lennox Metro station. It’ll save you a fortune on parking and a headache in traffic.
  3. Download the App: The SoFi Stadium app is actually useful for finding your specific gate and the nearest "non-standard" food options like the specialized taco stands in the 200 section.
  4. Arrive for Warmups: Especially for the World Cup or the Rams/Chargers games, the pre-game atmosphere in the American Airlines Plaza is half the fun. There’s usually live music and interactive fan zones.

SoFi isn't just a stadium; it's a 300-acre entertainment district called Hollywood Park. Whether it’s the USMNT chasing a trophy or the Rams trying to get back to the Super Bowl, the people playing here are always at the top of their game.