Sports in Los Angeles
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
The Greater Los Angeles area is a big place for sports, with many professional and college teams and lots of important sporting events. It has twelve major league teams, like the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Rams, and others. Since the year 2000, nine of these teams have won twenty-four championships together.
Los Angeles also has many universities with strong sports teams, such as the UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans. These college teams have won over one hundred championship titles. The city has famous places for sports, like the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Crypto.com Arena.
Los Angeles has hosted the Summer Olympics twice before and will host them again in the future. The city has also been where big games like the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the Super Bowl LVI took place. With its great weather and beaches, Los Angeles is also a popular spot for surfing and beach volleyball.
Major league professional teams
Greater Los Angeles is home to many sports teams. There are 15 major sports teams, including 11 professional teams and 4 college teams. These teams play in different leagues such as Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, and Major League Soccer.
Former teams
Baseball
The Los Angeles area has two Major League Baseball teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels.
The Dodgers started in Brooklyn, New York, in 1883 and moved to Los Angeles in 1958. They play at Dodger Stadium, which opened in 1962. The Dodgers have won many championships and awards over the years.
The Los Angeles Angels began in 1961 and play at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. They won their first World Series championship in 2002.
Basketball
Los Angeles has two National Basketball Association teams: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Lakers have won many championships, more than any other Los Angeles team. They originally started in Minneapolis and moved to Los Angeles in 1960.
The Clippers were founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves and moved to Los Angeles in 1984. They now play at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Football
The region has two National Football League teams: the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Rams played in Los Angeles from 1946 to 1994 and returned in 2016. The Chargers played in Los Angeles for one season in 1960 before moving to San Diego and later returning to Los Angeles in 2017. Both teams now play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Ice hockey
The area has two NHL teams: the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks.
The Kings joined the NHL in 1967 and have won two Stanley Cup championships. The Ducks joined in 1993 and won the Stanley Cup once in 2007.
Soccer
The Los Angeles area has two Major League Soccer teams: the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC.
The Galaxy have won six MLS Cups, the most by any team. LAFC began playing in 2018.
There is also a women's team called Angel City FC in the National Women's Soccer League that started in 2022.
Cricket
The Los Angeles Knight Riders are a team in Major League Cricket, a new league that started in the U.S. in 2023. They will play at Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Pomona when it opens in 2026.
| Club | Sport | League | Venue | Attendance | Founded | Established in Los Angeles | Titles in Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Angels | Baseball | Major League Baseball | Angel Stadium | 45,050 | 1961 | 1961 | 1 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | Dodger Stadium | 56,000 | 1883 | 1958 | 8 | ||
| Anaheim Ducks | Ice Hockey | National Hockey League | Honda Center | 17,174 | 1993 | 1993 | 1 |
| Los Angeles Kings | Crypto.com Arena | 18,340 | 1967 | 1967 | 2 | ||
| Los Angeles Sparks | Basketball | Women's National Basketball Association | 10,998 | 1997 | 1997 | 3 | |
| Los Angeles Lakers | National Basketball Association | 18,997 | 1947 | 1960 | 12 | ||
| Los Angeles Clippers | Intuit Dome | 18,000 | 1970 | 1984 | 0 | ||
| Angel City FC | Soccer | National Women's Soccer League | BMO Stadium | 22,000 | 2020 | 2022 | 0 |
| Los Angeles FC | Major League Soccer | 22,000 | 2018 | 2018 | 1 | ||
| LA Galaxy | Dignity Health Sports Park | 27,000 | 1996 | 1996 | 6 | ||
| Los Angeles Chargers | Football | National Football League | SoFi Stadium | 70,240 | 1960 | 1960, 2017 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 1936 | 1946, 2016 | 2 | ||||
| Los Angeles Knight Riders | Cricket | Major League Cricket | Knight Riders Cricket Ground | 15,000 | 2020 | 2020 | 0 |
Major league professional championships
| Los Angeles Rams (NFL) 1 NFL championship (pre–Super Bowl) 1 Super Bowl title Los Angeles Raiders (NFL)1 Super Bowl title Los Angeles Wolves (NASL)1 NASL Final title Los Angeles Aztecs (NASL)1 NASL Final title Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)6 MLS Cup titles Los Angeles FC (MLS)1 MLS Cup title Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)8 World Series titles | Anaheim / Los Angeles Angels (MLB) 1 World Series titles Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)12 NBA Finals titles Los Angeles Kings (NHL)2 Stanley Cup titles Anaheim Ducks (NHL)1 Stanley Cup title Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA)3 WNBA Finals titles |
21st Century success
Since the turn of the century, the Los Angeles area's professional sports teams have won 24 championships. The Lakers won six titles, the Galaxy won six titles, the Dodgers won three titles, the Sparks won three titles, the Kings won two titles, and Los Angeles FC, the Rams, the Ducks, and the Angels each won one title. These teams have also been league finalists an additional 11 times. Los Angeles joined Boston as the only city in the 21st century to see a team in each of the "Big Four" leagues win a championship. If MLS is counted, Los Angeles would be the first city to see a team in each of the "Big Four" and MLS win a championship in the 21st century.
Other sports in Los Angeles
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
The sport of Mixed Martial Arts began in the Los Angeles area. Rorion Gracie and Art Davie started the Ultimate Fighting Championship, known as the UFC, in 1993 in Torrance, CA. Over time, the UFC grew, and by 2005, MMA became a popular sport in the U.S. and worldwide.
Many famous MMA fighters come from Los Angeles and California, including Frank Shamrock, Tito Ortiz, Gilbert Melendez, Dan Henderson, Ronda Rousey, Henry Cejudo, and Tony Ferguson.
Surfing
See also: Surf culture
Los Angeles has a warm mediterranean climate and beautiful beaches from Malibu to the South Bay, making it a top spot for surfers. Every summer, Huntington Beach holds the US Open of Surfing, the world's largest surfing competition. Other events like the International Surf Festival, Surfing Dog Contests, and Ventura's Surf Rodeo also take place in Los Angeles County.
Beach Volleyball
Santa Monica is where beach volleyball began in the early 1920s. With great weather and lots of sand, Los Angeles is a popular place for the sport. The first official Beach Volleyball World Championships happened in Los Angeles in 1997. Beach volleyball became an Olympic sport, and it will be featured during the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Many local tournaments for all skill levels are held at beaches across the Los Angeles metropolitan area. In 2017, the CBVA, California Beach Volleyball Association, organized nearly 1,000 tournaments at 23 beaches for different age groups and skill levels.
Minor league and semi-professional teams
American football
The Los Angeles Wildcats were a team that played in 2020. The Los Angeles Xtreme played in 2001 and won the only championship of their league, which stopped after one season.
Before 2008, the area had teams like the Los Angeles Cobras, Anaheim Piranhas, and Los Angeles Avengers. These teams played for a few seasons but stopped because not many people came to watch.
Australian rules football
In Australian rules football, the Los Angeles Dragons and the Orange County Giants play in the Greater Los Angeles region.
Baseball
The Los Angeles area has minor league baseball teams like the Inland Empire 66ers, Lake Elsinore Storm, Ontario Tower Buzzers, and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. They all play in the same league and are connected to bigger teams.
Basketball
The area has the Coachella Valley Lakers in the NBA G League. The Los Angeles Blue Waves play at Los Angeles Southwest College.
Earlier, the Anaheim Arsenal played from 2006 to 2009 before moving, and the Ontario Clippers played from 2017 to 2024 before moving to San Diego as the San Diego Clippers.
Cricket
The Los Angeles Lashings is a cricket team that started in 2020 and plays in tournaments across the USA.
Gaelic football
People have played Gaelic football in Los Angeles since the early 1900s. The Cougars GFC, started in 2015, play in tournaments and have about 50 members.
Ice hockey
The Ontario Reign played from 2008 to 2015 and then started again in 2015. The Los Angeles Ice Dogs played for a few seasons but moved to Long Beach because not many people came to watch.
Lacrosse
The Los Angeles Riptide played from 2006 to 2008. The Anaheim Storm played from 2004 to 2005 but stopped because not many people came.
Rugby league
Los Angeles has two rugby league teams, the Los Angeles Roosters and Los Angeles Mongrel.
Rugby union
Los Angeles has many amateur rugby clubs, like the Santa Monica Rugby Club and the Los Angeles Rugby Club. In 2021, a professional team called the LA Giltinis started but stopped in 2022. In 2024, a new team called Rugby Football Club Los Angeles started but later joined another team to become the California Legion.
Soccer
The Los Angeles area has many soccer clubs in different leagues, like Orange County SC, Los Angeles FC 2, and Ventura County FC, among others.
The Santa Clarita Blue Heat play in United Women's Soccer.
Ultimate
The Los Angeles Aviators were a professional Ultimate Frisbee team that stopped in 2025.
The Los Angeles Astra, a women's and non-binary Ultimate Frisbee team, started in 2019. They joined a new league in 2025 and play against teams like Nashville Nightshade and Austin Torch.
Former minor professional teams
| Club | League | Last Venue | Years in L.A. | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Arsenal | NBA D-League | Anaheim Convention Center | 2006–2009 | 0 |
| Anaheim Bullfrogs | Roller Hockey International | Arrowhead Pond | 1993–1999 | 3 (1993, 1997, 1998) |
| Anaheim Piranhas | Arena Football League | Arrowhead Pond | 1996–1997 | 0 |
| LA Giltinis | Major League Rugby | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 2020–2022 | 1 (2021) |
| Los Angeles Cobras | Arena Football League | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 1988 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Avengers | Arena Football League | Staples Center | 2000–2009 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Kiss | Arena Football League | Honda Center | 2014–2016 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Wildcats | XFL | Dignity Health Sports Park | 2020 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Xtreme | XFL | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 2001 | 1 (2001) |
College
See also: UCLA–USC rivalry
The Los Angeles area has 10 big college sports teams. The most famous are from the city of Los Angeles itself:
- UCLA Bruins — They have won 124 team championships and 273 individual championships.
- USC Trojans — They have won 113 team championships and 412 individual championships.
USC has won 11 national football championships and has had 7 players win the Heisman Trophy. UCLA has won the most men’s basketball titles with 11. USC has produced more Olympic athletes than any other American university. If USC were a country in the Olympics, it would rank among the top nations.
Other college teams in the area include:
- Also in Los Angeles:
- In Los Angeles County:
- Long Beach State Beach, in Long Beach
- Pepperdine Waves, near Malibu
- In Orange County:
- In Riverside, part of the Inland Empire:
Venues
Los Angeles has some of the most famous sports venues in the world. These venues have hosted many important games and events, including the Olympics, Super Bowls, World Series, NBA and WNBA championships, the Stanley Cup, the FIFA World Cup, the MLS Cup, and NCAA championships.
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium is the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. It opened in 1962 and is one of the oldest and largest baseball stadiums in the world. Dodger Stadium has hosted many big games, including the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, World Series games, and World Baseball Classics. It will also host events during the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is the home of the University of Southern California Trojans football team. It has hosted the Summer Olympics three times and was once the home of the Los Angeles Rams football team. The Coliseum is a famous and historic stadium.
Rose Bowl Stadium
The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California is another famous stadium. It has hosted Super Bowl games, FIFA World Cup matches, and Olympic events. It is also the home of the UCLA Bruins football team.
Crypto.com Arena
Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles is home to the Los Angeles Kings hockey team, the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, and the Los Angeles Sparks women’s basketball team. It also hosts many other events, including the Grammy Awards, and will host gymnastics during the 2028 Summer Olympics.
SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers football teams. It hosted the Super Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship. During the 2028 Summer Olympics, it will host the opening and closing ceremonies and swimming events.
Intuit Dome
Intuit Dome in Inglewood is the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team. It opened in 2024 and will host basketball events during the 2028 Summer Olympics.
List of Los Angeles venues
Olympic and Paralympic Games
Los Angeles has hosted the Summer Olympic Games twice. The city first hosted the games in (/wiki/1932_Summer_Olympics) and hosted once again in (/wiki/1984_Summer_Olympics). Los Angeles has made a total of ten Summer Olympic bids in its history, more than any other city. Los Angeles along with Athens ((/wiki/1896_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/2004_Summer_Olympics)), Paris ((/wiki/1900_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1924_Summer_Olympics)) and Tokyo ((/wiki/1964_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/2020_Summer_Olympics)) are the four cities that have hosted the Summer Olympic Games twice. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games and will become the third city to host the Olympics three times, after London ((/wiki/1908_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1948_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/2012_Summer_Olympics)) and Paris (1900, 1924, (/wiki/2024_Summer_Olympics)).
1932 Olympic Games
The 1932 Summer Olympics marked the first time Los Angeles staged the Olympic Games. It took place during the Great Depression and the games were reported to have produced a $1 million profit for the city. Los Angeles was the only city to submit a bid for the 1932 edition of the Summer Olympics and was selected as the host city at the 21st IOC Session in Rome in 1923. That same year, Lake Placid hosted the 1932 Winter Olympics. The 1932 Summer Olympics marked the second time the US had hosted the Summer Olympics, with St. Louis hosting the 1904 Summer Olympics.
The United States won a total of 103 medals during the games, including 41 gold medals.
Since the games were the tenth edition of the modern Olympic Games, Tenth Street was renamed Olympic Boulevard. Today Olympic Blvd is home to multiple attractions, such as the Grammy Museum.
1984 Olympic Games
The 1984 Summer Olympics marked the second time Los Angeles had staged the Olympic Games. Much like the 1932 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles was the only city to submit a bid. Los Angeles was elected as the host city at the 80th IOC Session in Athens in 1978. The cost overruns of the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow discouraged cities to bid. However, Los Angeles depended on existing venues and infrastructure to host the games, in addition to being entirely privately funded, unlike Moscow and Montreal which were funded by their respective governments. The games produced a $200 million profit and are considered the most successful edition of the Olympic Games, as well as the model for the future editions.
The Games were boycotted by fourteen Eastern Bloc countries, including the Soviet Union. Romania and Yugoslavia however, did not take part in the boycott and competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics. The United States and many allied nations had boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow four years earlier, protesting Soviet activity in Afghanistan.
The United States won a total of 174 medals, including 83 gold medals.
2028 Olympic Games
Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics. This will mark the third time the Olympic Games are held in Los Angeles. The city will join London and Paris as the only cities to have hosted the Olympics three times.
Upon the USOC reaching a new revenue sharing agreement with the IOC, Los Angeles had been mentioned as a possible bidding city for the 2024 Summer Olympics. In March 2013, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa sent a letter to the USOC confirming the city's interest in bidding for the 2024 Olympics. On September 1, 2015, Los Angeles was chosen as the U.S. candidate to bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics after the USOC withdrew Boston's bid for the 2024 Olympics. After Rome, Hamburg and Budapest withdrew their bids for the 2024 Olympics, only Los Angeles and Paris remained in the race. The IOC then decided to award both Paris and Los Angeles with future editions of the Olympic Games. In July 2017, an agreement was made which secured the 2024 Olympics for Paris and the 2028 Olympics for Los Angeles. Both cities were unanimously elected at the 131st IOC Session in Lima on September 13, 2017.
2028 Paralympic Games
The 2028 Summer Paralympics will be held in Los Angeles. This will mark the first time the Paralympic Games are held in Los Angeles. During the summer when Los Angeles hosted the 1984 Summer Olympics, the 1984 Summer Paralympics were held in New York City and Stoke Mandeville. This was before the Olympics and Paralympics were held in the same host city.
Unsuccessful bids
See also: Los Angeles bids for the Summer Olympics
Aside from securing the right to host the 1932, 1984 and 2028 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles has made frequent Olympic bids in the past. Out of the ten bids which the USOC had submitted to the IOC over the years, seven previous official bids were unsuccessful. Los Angeles submitted bids for the (/wiki/1924_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1928_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1948_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1952_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1956_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1976_Summer_Olympics) and 1980 Summer Olympics, but lost to Paris, Amsterdam, London, Helsinki, Melbourne, Montreal and Moscow respectively.
Los Angeles had expressed interest to the USOC about bidding for the Olympics on multiple occasions, while failing to secure the USOC's support. Seventeen years after hosting the 1984 Olympics, the city became interested in bidding for the 2012 Summer Olympics, but the USOC chose to submit New York City's bid to the IOC. New York ultimately lost to London. Los Angeles later bid to be the US candidate for the 2016 Summer Olympics, but the USOC decided to submit Chicago's bid to the IOC. Chicago ultimately lost to Rio de Janeiro. Following Chicago's defeat, Los Angeles again expressed interest in bidding for a future edition of the Olympic Games. In November 2011 a delegation from Los Angeles attended a seminar at the IOC headquarters for cities interested in bidding on future editions of the Olympic Games. The USOC declined to submit a bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which was ultimately won by Tokyo. In February 2012, Los Angeles hosted the 5th IOC World Conference on Women and Sport which was attended by then-IOC President Jacques Rogge as well as IOC members. At the conference Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and IOC Member Anita DeFrantz stated that the city would be interested in hosting the Olympic Games a third time.
FIFA Tournaments
The Greater Los Angeles Area has hosted three big soccer tournaments and will host more matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After 2026, Los Angeles will have hosted the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup two times each. It also hosted the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
1994 FIFA World Cup
In the United States, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena hosted eight matches, including the final where Brazil beat Italy.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Los Angeles is one of 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. SoFi Stadium will host eight matches, including the US Opening match and a quarterfinal. SoFi Stadium is one of two places in California hosting matches, with the other being Levi's Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area.
1999 FIFA Women's World Cup
Los Angeles was a host city for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. The Rose Bowl hosted four matches, including the final where the United States beat China.
2003 FIFA Women's World Cup
The United States hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup after China could not host because of health concerns. The Home Depot Center, now called Dignity Health Sports Park, in Carson hosted six games, including the final where Germany beat Sweden.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Los Angeles was a host city for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The Rose Bowl hosted six matches.
| Date | Time (UTC−8) | Team #1 | Score | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 18, 1994 | 16:30 | Colombia | 1–3 | Group A | 91,856 | |
| June 19, 1994 | 16:30 | Cameroon | 2–2 | Group B | 93,194 | |
| June 22, 1994 | 16:30 | United States | 2–1 | Group A | 93,869 | |
| June 26, 1994 | 13:00 | United States | 0–1 | Group A | 93,869 | |
| July 3, 1994 | 13:30 | Romania | 3–2 | Round of 16 | 90,469 | |
| July 13, 1994 | 16:30 | Sweden | 0–1 | Semi-Final | 91,856 | |
| July 16, 1994 | 12:30 | Sweden | 4–0 | Third place | 91,500 | |
| July 17, 1994 | 12:30 | Brazil | 0–0 (3–2) | Final | 94,194 |
| Date | Time (UTC−7) | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 12, 2026 | 18:00 | United States | – | Group D | |
| June 15, 2026 | 18:00 | Iran | – | Group G | |
| June 18, 2026 | 12:00 | Switzerland | – | Group B | |
| June 21, 2026 | 12:00 | Belgium | – | Group G | |
| June 25, 2026 | 19:00 | Turkey | – | Group D | |
| June 28, 2026 | 12:00 | Runner-up Group A | – | Runner-up Group B | Round of 32 |
| July 2, 2026 | 12:00 | Winner Group H | – | Runner-up Group J | Round of 32 |
| July 10, 2026 | 12:00 | Winner Match 93 | – | Winner Match 94 | Quarterfinal |
| Date | Time (UTC−8) | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 20, 1999 | 16:00 | Italy | 1 – 1 | Group B | 17,100 | |
| June 20, 1999 | 18:30 | North Korea | 1 – 2 | Group A | 17,100 | |
| July 10, 1999 | 10:15 | Norway | 0 – 0 (4 – 5) | 3rd place match | 90,185 | |
| July 10, 1999 | 12:30 | United States | 0 – 0 (5 – 4) | Final | 90,185 |
| Date | Match | Winning team | Result | Losing team | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 21, 2003 | Group D | Russia | 2–1 | 8,500 | |
| September 21, 2003 | Group D | China | 1–0 | 10,027 | |
| September 25, 2003 | Group D | Russia | 3–0 | 13,929 | |
| September 25, 2003 | Group D | China | 1–1 | 13,929 | |
| October 11, 2003 | Third-place match | United States | 3–1 | 25,253 | |
| October 12, 2003 | Final | Germany | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | 26,137 |
| Date | Time (UTC−8) | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 15, 2025 | 12:00 | Paris Saint-Germain | 4–0 | Group B | 80,619 | |
| June 17, 2025 | 18:00 | Monterrey | 1–1 | Group E | 40,311 | |
| June 19, 2025 | 18:00 | Paris Saint-Germain | 0–1 | Group B | 53,699 | |
| June 21, 2025 | 18:00 | River Plate | 0–0 | Group E | 57,393 | |
| June 23, 2025 | 12:00 | Atlético Madrid | 1–0 | Group B | 22,992 | |
| June 25, 2025 | 18:00 | Urawa Red Diamonds | 0–4 | Group E | 14,312 |
International Tournaments
Los Angeles has been an important place for international sports for many years. Besides the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup, the area has hosted many other big sporting events.
The Los Angeles area has welcomed many soccer tournaments. The Rose Bowl and other famous venues have hosted matches for events like the 2016 Copa América and the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final was held at SoFi Stadium, and matches for the 2024 Copa América were also there.
Los Angeles has also been a key spot for boxing, with many matches held in venues like the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Crypto.com Arena. The city hosts the Los Angeles Marathon each spring, which attracts runners from around the world. Huntington Beach is famous for surfing and has hosted the ISA World Surfing Games and the US Open of Surfing.
Los Angeles has also hosted events like the Special Olympics, the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, the World Figure Skating Championships, and swimming competitions. It has been a venue for big gaming events like the League of Legends World Championship and cricket tournaments. Los Angeles may also host matches for the 2031 Men's Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup in the future.
National Tournaments
The Los Angeles area has been a big host for many important sports events. It has welcomed eight Super Bowls and six MLB All Star Games.
Super Bowls
The Super Bowl is the big championship game of the National Football League (NFL). It is played between the best teams from the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). Los Angeles has been the host city for the Super Bowl eight times, using three different places: the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Rose Bowl, and SoFi Stadium. The city is third in hosting the most Super Bowls, after Miami and New Orleans.
Los Angeles hosted its eighth Super Bowl, called Super Bowl LVI, in 2022 at SoFi Stadium. The Los Angeles Rams won that game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Los Angeles will host again for the ninth time with Super Bowl LXI in 2027.
MLB All-Star Games
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also called the "Midsummer Classic", is a fun game between the best players from the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The Los Angeles metropolitan area has been the host for this game six times.
NBA All-Star Games
Los Angeles has also hosted the NBA All-Star Game six times in three different places. The first time was in 1963 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Later, the Kia Forum in Inglewood held the games in 1972 and 1983. The Crypto.com Arena at LA Live hosted the games in 2004, 2011, and 2018. The new Intuit Dome will host the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
MLS All-Star Games
Los Angeles hosted the MLS All-Star Game two times. The first was in 2003 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, and the second was in 2021 at BMO Stadium.
NHL All-Star Games
The Los Angeles area has been the host for the NHL All-Star Game three times. The Kia Forum in Inglewood held the game in 1981. The Crypto.com Arena hosted it in 2002 and 2017.
| Season | Date | Event | Opponents | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | January 15, 1967 | Super Bowl I | Kansas City Chiefs vs Green Bay Packers | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| 1972 | January 14, 1973 | Super Bowl VII | Miami Dolphins vs Washington Redskins | |
| 1976 | January 9, 1977 | Super Bowl XI | Oakland Raiders vs Minnesota Vikings | Rose Bowl |
| 1979 | January 20, 1980 | Super Bowl XIV | Los Angeles Rams vs Pittsburgh Steelers | |
| 1982 | January 30, 1983 | Super Bowl XVII | Miami Dolphins vs Washington Redskins | |
| 1986 | January 25, 1987 | Super Bowl XXI | Denver Broncos vs New York Giants | |
| 1992 | January 31, 1993 | Super Bowl XXVII | Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys | |
| 2021 | February 13, 2022 | Super Bowl LVI | Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals | SoFi Stadium |
| 2026 | February 14, 2027 | Super Bowl LXI | TBD |
Collegiate Tournaments
The Los Angeles area is home to many universities, including the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles. Because of this, the area hosts several important college sports events.
One famous event is the Rose Bowl Game, a college football game held every year on New Year's Day at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. Before the game, there is the Rose Parade on Colorado Boulevard. Another event is the LA Bowl, a college football game played each year at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. In 2023, Los Angeles hosted a big championship game called the College Football Playoff National Championship at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
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