Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Since its opening in 1923, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has hosted some of the most important sporting events the city, and the world, have ever seen. The first football game was played five months following its opening when the University of Southern California faced off against Pomona College. The Coliseum has been the long-term home for the University of Southern California Trojans and has hosted two Olympic games and one World Series. Many professional sports teams made their way to California for the year-round playing weather, but also the playing facility. The Coliseum and the nearby Sports Arena has been home to the Rams, the Dodgers, the Lakers, the Raiders, UCLA football, the Chargers, the Clippers, the Cobras, the Ice Dogs, the Sharks, the Stars and the Kings. The Coliseum was declared a state and federal historic landmark in 1984. In 2008, a Major League Baseball exhibition game was held in the Coliseum. The game, which featured the Boston Red Sox matching up against the Los Angeles Dodgers, set a world record for attendance at a baseball game. The Coliseum has also hosted non-sports related functions such as an appearance by Billy Graham, a Papal Mass, the Bicentennial Spectacular, and Nelson Mandela's return to the United States. Concerts are another popular event at the Coliseum and bands such as the Rolly Stones, U2, Metallica, The Who and Pink Floyd have all held performances there.