On Thursday night, there could be drama when Luis de la Fuentes Spain face Austria in a match that could send them through to the last eight of the World Cup. But just as much as the showdown itself, the evening is about the *arena* – a construction that has cost a staggering 5 billion dollars.
After three games in Atlanta and Guadalajara, the Spanish national team now travels to Los Angeles for a decisive match. Opponent? A dangerous Austrian team that definitely does not come to be extras.
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The match will be played at SoFi Stadium – or Los Angeles Stadium, as it is officially called during the World Cup. According to the newspaper Expansión, this is the most expensive stadium ever built, and it even beats MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the World Cup final will be played on July 19.
$5 billion – and the world’s most advanced roof
The stadium was completed in 2020 and has a seating capacity of over 70,000 spectators. Home to Los Angeles’ two NFL clubs, the Rams and Chargers, it’s as much an architectural masterpiece as it is a sports arena.
Among the most spectacular details:
- A giant double-sided video board that hangs from the ceiling – a full 90 meters long and up to 9 meters high. It provides perfect visibility from absolutely any angle.
- A transparent roof that both lets in natural light and is designed to withstand earthquakes – not unimportant in California.
- The construction project also involved the Spanish company Turner, which is part of the ACS group – so the Spaniards have literally left their mark on the arena already.
More than just a match
For Spain, the evening is about one thing: advancement. For Austria, it’s about creating a sensation. And for those of us who follow – it’s about seeing one of the world’s most impressive stadiums filled with World Cup excitement.
The match kicks off at 21:00 local time in Los Angeles. In other words: early morning for us in Europe. But with such a spectacular setting – and so much at stake – it’s unlikely that anyone will sleep over this.
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