What makes the impressive Super Bowl stadium three-quarters subterranean

From Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford to Eminem and Mary J. Blige, the Super Bowl in Los Angeles this Sunday will feature a star-studded lineup.

But arguably the biggest celebrity at the event will be the stadium itself.

SoFi Stadium, the NFL's newest shining icon, is bringing the Super Bowl back to Los Angeles after nearly three decades. Much like the hyped-up game, the stadium is packed with superlatives.

Spanning 3.1 million square feet, it's the largest and the first 'indoor-outdoor' stadium in the NFL. With a six-acre lake nearby, a massive video board floating above the field like a halo, and a striking canopy that displays messages and videos visible to airplanes, it’s truly one-of-a-kind.

Jason Gannon, managing director of SoFi Stadium, describes the awe and excitement visitors feel when they see the stadium for the first time. He says, 'The architecture of the building is stunning, from the curve of the roof to its vast scale. It’s a uniquely impressive structure, and people will be blown away by the experience.'

SoFi has quickly established itself as the go-to venue for major events.

Big names like Justin Bieber, BTS, and the Rolling Stones have graced its stage. Next year, it will host the College Football National Championship and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Summer Olympics.

If you're planning a trip to Los Angeles, SoFi Stadium should be on your list. Here are six standout features that make it special.

1. The majority of the stadium – three-quarters – is built underground.

Located just three miles east of Los Angeles International Airport and directly in LAX’s flight path, the stadium’s design had to comply with FAA restrictions, which prevented architects from building a towering structure.

The football field itself is positioned 100 feet below ground level, twice as deep as any other NFL stadium. To achieve this, more than 7 million cubic yards of dirt were removed from the stadium bowl.

In most stadiums, fans enter at ground level and then ascend to their seats. At SoFi, the experience is reversed. Visitors typically descend along terraced pathways, inspired by cliffside architecture and surrounded by lush gardens, leading them down toward the field.

'We wanted the descent into the stadium to offer something truly unique,' says Lance Evans, the stadium’s lead architect. 'By using the natural landscape and terracing, we created a welcoming journey for fans as they move through the building.'

2. The roof features an LED screen that can broadcast live TV to airplanes flying overhead.

The enormous roof is constructed with hundreds of semi-translucent panels, which filter sunlight during the day to reduce glare and help maintain a cooler temperature inside the stadium.

At night, the roof transforms into a massive illuminated screen, thanks to a system of LED lights that can display images and videos.

The roof is also capable of broadcasting live TV. In November 2020, the Rams aired their Monday Night Football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the canopy, creating an aerial spectacle visible to passengers flying into LAX.

3. The stadium’s open sides allow for a natural flow of SoCal breezes, enhancing the overall experience.

While the canopy covers the entire field and seating area, the stadium’s sides remain open, extending past the two end zones. Additionally, the roof features 46 panels that can be opened to enhance airflow.

The stadium’s aerodynamic design takes full advantage of Southern California’s mild climate, earning its 'indoor-outdoor' distinction.

'We shaped this building to allow ocean breezes to flow through and promote natural ventilation,' says architect Evans. 'We also wanted to connect visitors with the stunning Southern California landscape. On one side, you can see Malibu, the Hollywood Hills to the east, and Palos Verdes to the south.'

The open-air design means that even though parts of the stadium are covered by a massive roof, they remain vulnerable to wind, rain, and lightning. For example, last October’s game between the Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders was delayed due to a passing thunderstorm.

4. The stadium’s enormous hanging video screen is larger than the football field itself.

Suspended above the field like a spaceship, an enormous ring-shaped video screen looms large.

Officially called the Infinity Screen by Samsung, this is the largest screen of its kind in sports, measuring 70,000 square feet and featuring around 80 million pixels. It’s both longer and wider than the football field itself.

This is also the world’s only dual-sided screen, displaying content on both its inner and outer surfaces. This design is particularly beneficial for fans sitting near the field, as they can enjoy the inner screen on the opposite side of the ring.

'It allows fans to fully immerse themselves in the content,' says Evans, likely referring to moments when fans aren’t, you know, watching the actual game.

5. The stadium features suites at field level, just beyond the end zone.

If you’re feeling generous and want to impress a crowd, you can book a field-level suite, or 'bungalow,' just yards from the end zone. These suites are so close to the action that an errant pass might land right in your plate of nachos.

'These are the closest field seats in the NFL,' says Evans. 'It’s like being in your own backyard. Kick your feet up on the green rail and relax, while the excitement of the game is just 10 feet away.'

6. Tours offer the chance to run a 40-yard dash and attempt a field goal.

You can book a stadium tour that will take you through the private luxury suites, the locker rooms of the teams, and an interview room where coaches and players answer questions from the media. As of December 2021, visitors must provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result.

But the highlight of the tour might be stepping onto the field itself, accessed through a 60-foot tunnel that mimics the players' experience as they rush onto the turf before a game.

'The tour gives you the chance to step onto the playing field… and even try out combine-style activities – running a 40-yard dash, throwing a football, or kicking a field goal, all while measuring how you compare to NFL players,' says Gannon. 'That’s really the fun and interactive part of the experience.'