Earlier today, the University of Southern California unveiled preliminary plans for the highly anticipated renovation of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The 93,607-seat stadium, built in 1923, is one of the country's most storied sporting venues, with a list of past and current tenants that includes multiple NFL teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the USC and UCLA football programs.  Most notably, the Coliseum played host to both the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympic Games, and would serve a prominent role in Los Angeles' efforts to win the 2024 installation.

According to an official website for the project, the planned renovations include:

  • Replacing all seats and installing handrails throughout the stadium.
  • New aisles, wider seats and increased leg room in several areas.
  • A new structure on the south side of the stadium which would house suites, loge boxes, club seats a new concourse and a new press box.
  • A restoration of the Coliseum's peristyle to more closely resemble its original design.
  • Updating Wi-Fi accessibility throughout the stadium.
  • Improving audio and video capabilities, including the addition of two large video screens at the east end of the stadium.
  • Addition of new concession stands and improvements to existing stands.
  • Upgrades to entry concourses.
  • New field and stadium lighting.
  • Replacing the Coliseum's electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems to meet current standards.

The proposed improvements are budgeted at $270 million, and will be funded entirely by USC Athletics through donations, sponsorship revenue and rental income.

Construction is expected to begin following the 2017 college football season and conclude in time for the 2019 home opener.  More information will be released in Spring 2016.