(LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14, 2019) – One of the world’s oldest and most recognizable sports venues has been transformed into a modern game-day environment that meets the demands of today’s fans. Nearing kick-off of the 2019 football season, the $315 million renovation of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is complete. DLR Group’s design upholds the historical integrity of the Coliseum by preserving the peristyle, as well as the entire perimeter enclosure and shape of the seating bowl. It also provides updates and safety enhancements for a more comfortable event experience.

The Coliseum renovation includes new fan amenities, seating upgrades throughout, game entertainment improvements, premium revenue-generating hospitality spaces, restores the iconic peristyle, and maintains the historic integrity of this renowned stadium. Spectators have physically outgrown the Coliseum since it originally opened in 1923. With improvements to seating, every fan will experience a game-day atmosphere that is more comfortable, safer, and more accessible. Amenities include all new chairs in the seating bowl, new handrails, additional aisles, wider seats and increased legroom in many sections, and repaired steps for enhanced safety. The comfort and amenity improvements have resulted in a reduced stadium capacity from 92,348 to 77,500.

“The new Scholarship Tower impacts less than 15 percent of the existing seating bowl and positions premium seating closer to the field, creating some of the best views in college football. Plus, the iconic peristyle has been improved by removing all signage, advertising, and screens that were added over time, and restoring the materials to bring it back to its original grandeur,” continued DLR Group Principal Don Barnum, AIA.

The new seven-story Scholarship Tower is embedded seamlessly into the upper half of the south seating bowl and features event viewing opportunities for spectators. Enhanced seating options include the Trojan Athletic Fund seating concourse with up-scale food offerings, Founders suites on two levels, 1,100 club seats and 24 loge boxes with lounge access, 26 upper suites, and a rooftop terrace with field views and 360-degree views of Los Angeles.

The Coliseum is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. One of four historic athletic stadiums designated as National Historic Landmarks by the National Park Service, it was declared a state and national historic landmark in 1984. Since opening almost 95 years ago, it has welcomed more than 118 million visitors at more than 4,500 events and has served as the USC Trojans’ home field. It is the only venue in the world to have hosted two Olympiads, two Super Bowls, a World Series, a Papal Mass, and visits by three U.S. Presidents. The Coliseum will also be home to track and field athletic events for the 2028 Olympics.