SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, has completed its month-long stint as a host venue for the World Cup, with eight games played, including the United States’ opening game and two matches involving Iran.
Smooth Operations
According to Otto Benedict, senior vice president of facility and campus operations at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, the experience was a success from a public safety perspective, with all law enforcement partners and federal assets working collaboratively to create a safe environment.
The stadium’s systems for ticketing, crowd movement, food and beverage service, and entering and exiting the arena held up well under repeated World Cup conditions, with many fans visiting the venue for the first time.
Lessons Learned
Benedict noted that soccer crowds created a different operational pattern than those at NFL games, with more fans leaving their seats at halftime and putting pressure on concourses, concessions, and restrooms at the same time.
The stadium handled these surges, giving staff useful information for future events. The temporary natural grass surface installed for the tournament also drew praise, exceeding expectations and improving in vitality as the event went on.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
