Sitting in a chair on Thursday evening as followers got here into SoFi Stadium to observe highschool soccer video games between Loyola and Gardena Serra and Leuzinger in opposition to Palos Verdes, you may hear the totally different reactions of first-time guests as they climbed escalators and stairs to succeed in their seats.
Many had been in awe.
“This is nice.”
“Wow. This stadium is so different.”
“I can’t believe I paid $80 for a high school game.”
The video games have been put collectively by Playbook Occasions. Groups have to surrender income they’d make from internet hosting their very own video games. Parking prices $10 whereas scholar and grownup tickets vary from $29 to $71. Regular scholar tickets are $10 at residence websites.
It’s clear gamers benefit from the once-in-a-lifetime expertise to play in a prestigious NFL stadium that can host the swimming competitors on the 2028 Olympic Video games. And first-time guests who’ve by no means been in a position to attend a live performance or NFL sport at SoFi due to price are actually impressed with the seating and expertise.
However there’s additionally some points that would improve the expertise. One fan advised higher instructions on the place to park and the way to pay for parking, since solely bank cards are accepted, and plenty of grandparents will not be tech savvy on the way to buy tickets on-line or which entrance to take to seek out the car parking zone. Faculties want to supply extra particular directions. Organizers are additionally requiring followers to signal a waiver when coming into, resulting in lengthy strains if you happen to don’t arrive early.
The price for followers will be prohibitive, which implies colleges must take that under consideration when agreeing to play a sport at SoFi. The organizers definitely know what they’re doing. Video games begin on time and safety is plentiful and useful for first-time guests.
Loyola athletic director Chris O’Donnell mentioned, “For this kind of experience, for both teams, it’s really great. I’d do this again in a second.”
The following huge sport at SoFi Stadium occurs Thursday at 5 p.m. when unbeaten Los Alamitos performs Huntington Seashore Edison.
