SafekipediaSports in Los Angeles
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
The Greater Los Angeles area loves sports. It has many professional and college teams and hosts important sporting events. There are twelve major league teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Rams, among others.
Los Angeles has many universities with strong sports teams, such as the UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans. The city has famous sports venues like the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Crypto.com Arena.
Los Angeles has hosted the Summer Olympics twice and will host them again in the future. The city has also been the site of big games like the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the Super Bowl LVI. With its nice weather and beaches, Los Angeles is a popular place for surfing and beach volleyball.
Major league professional teams
Greater Los Angeles has many sports teams. There are 15 major sports teams, including 11 professional teams and 4 college teams. These teams play in different leagues such as Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, and Major League Soccer.
Former teams
Baseball
The Los Angeles area has two Major League Baseball teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels.
The Dodgers started in Brooklyn, New York, in 1883 and moved to Los Angeles in 1958. They play at Dodger Stadium, which opened in 1962. The Dodgers have won many championships and awards.
The Los Angeles Angels began in 1961 and play at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. They won their first World Series championship in 2002.
Basketball
Los Angeles has two National Basketball Association teams: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Lakers have won many championships, more than any other Los Angeles team. They originally started in Minneapolis and moved to Los Angeles in 1960.
The Clippers were founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves and moved to Los Angeles in 1984. They now play at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Football
The region has two National Football League teams: the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Rams played in Los Angeles from 1946 to 1994 and returned in 2016. The Chargers played in Los Angeles for one season in 1960 before moving to San Diego and later returning to Los Angeles in 2017. Both teams now play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Ice hockey
The area has two NHL teams: the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks.
The Kings joined the NHL in 1967 and have won two Stanley Cup championships. The Ducks joined in 1993 and won the Stanley Cup once in 2007.
Soccer
The Los Angeles area has two Major League Soccer teams: the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC.
The Galaxy have won six MLS Cups, the most by any team. LAFC began playing in 2018.
There is also a women's team called Angel City FC in the National Women's Soccer League that started in 2022.
Cricket
The Los Angeles Knight Riders are a team in Major League Cricket, a new league that started in the U.S. in 2023. They will play at Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Pomona when it opens in 2026.
| Club | Sport | League | Venue | Attendance | Founded | Established in Los Angeles | Titles in Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Angels | Baseball | Major League Baseball | Angel Stadium | 45,050 | 1961 | 1961 | 1 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | Dodger Stadium | 56,000 | 1883 | 1958 | 8 | ||
| Anaheim Ducks | Ice Hockey | National Hockey League | Honda Center | 17,174 | 1993 | 1993 | 1 |
| Los Angeles Kings | Crypto.com Arena | 18,340 | 1967 | 1967 | 2 | ||
| Los Angeles Sparks | Basketball | Women's National Basketball Association | 10,998 | 1997 | 1997 | 3 | |
| Los Angeles Lakers | National Basketball Association | 18,997 | 1947 | 1960 | 12 | ||
| Los Angeles Clippers | Intuit Dome | 18,000 | 1970 | 1984 | 0 | ||
| Angel City FC | Soccer | National Women's Soccer League | BMO Stadium | 22,000 | 2020 | 2022 | 0 |
| Los Angeles FC | Major League Soccer | 22,000 | 2018 | 2018 | 1 | ||
| LA Galaxy | Dignity Health Sports Park | 27,000 | 1996 | 1996 | 6 | ||
| Los Angeles Chargers | Football | National Football League | SoFi Stadium | 70,240 | 1960 | 1960, 2017 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 1936 | 1946, 2016 | 2 | ||||
| Los Angeles Knight Riders | Cricket | Major League Cricket | Knight Riders Cricket Ground | 15,000 | 2020 | 2020 | 0 |
Major league professional championships
| Los Angeles Rams (NFL) 1 NFL championship (pre–Super Bowl) 1 Super Bowl title Los Angeles Raiders (NFL)1 Super Bowl title Los Angeles Wolves (NASL)1 NASL Final title Los Angeles Aztecs (NASL)1 NASL Final title Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)6 MLS Cup titles Los Angeles FC (MLS)1 MLS Cup title Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)8 World Series titles | Anaheim / Los Angeles Angels (MLB) 1 World Series titles Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)12 NBA Finals titles Los Angeles Kings (NHL)2 Stanley Cup titles Anaheim Ducks (NHL)1 Stanley Cup title Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA)3 WNBA Finals titles |
21st Century success
Since the turn of the century, Los Angeles area's sports teams have won many championships. The Lakers won six titles, the Galaxy won six titles, the Dodgers won three titles, and the Sparks won three titles. The Kings won two titles. Los Angeles FC, the Rams, the Ducks, and the Angels each won one title. These teams have also been league finalists many more times. Los Angeles joined Boston as one of the only cities to see teams from each of the "Big Four" leagues win a championship in the 21st century.
Other sports in Los Angeles
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
The sport of Mixed Martial Arts started in the Los Angeles area. Rorion Gracie and Art Davie created the Ultimate Fighting Championship, called the UFC, in 1993 in Torrance, CA. The UFC grew over time, and by 2005, MMA became a popular sport in the U.S. and around the world.
Many famous MMA fighters are from Los Angeles and California.
Surfing
See also: Surf culture
Los Angeles has warm weather and beautiful beaches from Malibu to the South Bay, making it a great place for surfers. Every summer, Huntington Beach holds the US Open of Surfing, the world's largest surfing competition. Other events like the International Surf Festival and Surfing Dog Contests also happen in Los Angeles County.
Beach Volleyball
Santa Monica is where beach volleyball started in the early 1920s. With nice weather and lots of sand, Los Angeles is a popular place for the sport. The first official Beach Volleyball World Championships took place in Los Angeles in 1997. Beach volleyball became an Olympic sport and will be featured during the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Many local tournaments for all skill levels are held at beaches across the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Minor league and semi-professional teams
American football
The Los Angeles Wildcats were a team that played in 2020. The Los Angeles Xtreme played in 2001 and won the only championship of their league, which stopped after one season.
Before 2008, the area had teams like the Los Angeles Cobras, Anaheim Piranhas, and Los Angeles Avengers. These teams played for a few seasons but stopped because not many people came to watch.
Australian rules football
In Australian rules football, the Los Angeles Dragons and the Orange County Giants play in the Greater Los Angeles region.
Baseball
The Los Angeles area has minor league baseball teams like the Inland Empire 66ers, Lake Elsinore Storm, Ontario Tower Buzzers, and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. They all play in the same league and are connected to bigger teams.
Basketball
The area has the Coachella Valley Lakers in the NBA G League. The Los Angeles Blue Waves play at Los Angeles Southwest College.
Earlier, the Anaheim Arsenal played from 2006 to 2009 before moving, and the Ontario Clippers played from 2017 to 2024 before moving to San Diego as the San Diego Clippers.
Cricket
The Los Angeles Lashings is a cricket team that started in 2020 and plays in tournaments across the USA.
Gaelic football
People have played Gaelic football in Los Angeles since the early 1900s. The Cougars GFC, started in 2015, play in tournaments and have about 50 members.
Ice hockey
The Ontario Reign played from 2008 to 2015 and then started again in 2015. The Los Angeles Ice Dogs played for a few seasons but moved to Long Beach because not many people came to watch.
Lacrosse
The Los Angeles Riptide played from 2006 to 2008. The Anaheim Storm played from 2004 to 2005 but stopped because not many people came.
Rugby league
Los Angeles has two rugby league teams, the Los Angeles Roosters and Los Angeles Mongrel.
Rugby union
Los Angeles has many amateur rugby clubs, like the Santa Monica Rugby Club and the Los Angeles Rugby Club. In 2021, a professional team called the LA Giltinis started but stopped in 2022. In 2024, a new team called Rugby Football Club Los Angeles started but later joined another team to become the California Legion.
Soccer
The Los Angeles area has many soccer clubs in different leagues, like Orange County SC, Los Angeles FC 2, and Ventura County FC, among others.
The Santa Clarita Blue Heat play in United Women's Soccer.
Ultimate
The Los Angeles Aviators were a professional Ultimate Frisbee team that stopped in 2025.
The Los Angeles Astra, a women's and non-binary Ultimate Frisbee team, started in 2019. They joined a new league in 2025 and play against teams like Nashville Nightshade and Austin Torch.
Former minor professional teams
| Club | League | Last Venue | Years in L.A. | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Arsenal | NBA D-League | Anaheim Convention Center | 2006–2009 | 0 |
| Anaheim Bullfrogs | Roller Hockey International | Arrowhead Pond | 1993–1999 | 3 (1993, 1997, 1998) |
| Anaheim Piranhas | Arena Football League | Arrowhead Pond | 1996–1997 | 0 |
| LA Giltinis | Major League Rugby | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 2020–2022 | 1 (2021) |
| Los Angeles Cobras | Arena Football League | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 1988 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Avengers | Arena Football League | Staples Center | 2000–2009 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Kiss | Arena Football League | Honda Center | 2014–2016 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Wildcats | XFL | Dignity Health Sports Park | 2020 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Xtreme | XFL | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 2001 | 1 (2001) |
College
See also: UCLA–USC rivalry
Los Angeles has many college sports teams. The most famous teams are from the city of Los Angeles:
Other college teams in the area include:
- Also in Los Angeles:
- In Los Angeles County:
- Long Beach State Beach, in Long Beach
- Pepperdine Waves, near Malibu
- In Orange County:
- In Riverside, part of the Inland Empire:
Venues
Los Angeles has some of the most famous sports venues in the world. These venues have hosted many important games and events, including the Olympics, Super Bowls, World Series, NBA and WNBA championships, the Stanley Cup, the FIFA World Cup, the MLS Cup, and NCAA championships.
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium is the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. It opened in 1962 and is one of the oldest and largest baseball stadiums in the world. Dodger Stadium has hosted many big games, including the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, World Series games, and World Baseball Classics. It will also host events during the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is the home of the University of Southern California Trojans football team. It has hosted the Summer Olympics three times and was once the home of the Los Angeles Rams football team. The Coliseum is a famous and historic stadium.
Rose Bowl Stadium
The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California is another famous stadium. It has hosted Super Bowl games, FIFA World Cup matches, and Olympic events. It is also the home of the UCLA Bruins football team.
Crypto.com Arena
Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles is home to the Los Angeles Kings hockey team, the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, and the Los Angeles Sparks women’s basketball team. It also hosts many other events, including the Grammy Awards, and will host gymnastics during the 2028 Summer Olympics.
SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers football teams. It hosted the Super Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship. During the 2028 Summer Olympics, it will host the opening and closing ceremonies and swimming events.
Intuit Dome
Intuit Dome in Inglewood is the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team. It opened in 2024 and will host basketball events during the 2028 Summer Olympics.
List of Los Angeles venues
Olympic and Paralympic Games
Los Angeles has hosted the Summer Olympic Games twice. The city first hosted in (/wiki/1932_Summer_Olympics) and again in (/wiki/1984_Summer_Olympics). Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games. This will make Los Angeles the third city to host the Olympics three times, after London and Paris.
1932 Olympic Games
The 1932 Summer Olympics were the first time Los Angeles hosted the Olympic Games. It took place during the Great Depression. Los Angeles was chosen as the host city in 1923.
The United States won many medals during the games.
1984 Olympic Games
The 1984 Summer Olympics were the second time Los Angeles hosted the Olympic Games. Los Angeles used existing venues and was privately funded. The games made a large profit and are considered very successful.
The Games were boycotted by some countries, but Romania and Yugoslavia still competed. The United States had boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics four years earlier.
The United States won many medals during the games.
2028 Olympic Games
Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics. This will be the third time the Olympic Games are held in Los Angeles. The city will join London and Paris as the only cities to have hosted the Olympics three times.
2028 Paralympic Games
The 2028 Summer Paralympics will be held in Los Angeles. This will be the first time the Paralympic Games are held in Los Angeles. In 1984, the Paralympics were held in different cities.
Unsuccessful bids
Los Angeles has tried to host the Summer Olympics many times. They tried for the (/wiki/1924_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1928_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1948_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1952_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1956_Summer_Olympics), (/wiki/1976_Summer_Olympics) and 1980 Summer Olympics, but were not chosen.
Los Angeles also tried to bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics but was not selected by the USOC. The city later became interested in bidding for future Olympics.
FIFA Tournaments
The Greater Los Angeles Area has hosted three big soccer tournaments and will host more matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After 2026, Los Angeles will have hosted the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup two times each. It also hosted the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
1994 FIFA World Cup
In the United States, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena hosted eight matches, including the final where Brazil beat Italy.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Los Angeles is one of 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. SoFi Stadium will host eight matches, including the US Opening match and a quarterfinal. SoFi Stadium is one of two places in California hosting matches, with the other being Levi's Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area.
1999 FIFA Women's World Cup
Los Angeles was a host city for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. The Rose Bowl hosted four matches, including the final where the United States beat China.
2003 FIFA Women's World Cup
The United States hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup after China could not host because of health concerns. The Home Depot Center, now called Dignity Health Sports Park, in Carson hosted six games, including the final where Germany beat Sweden.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Los Angeles was a host city for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The Rose Bowl hosted six matches.
| Date | Time (UTC−8) | Team #1 | Score | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 18, 1994 | 16:30 | Colombia  | 1–3 |  Romania | Group A | 91,856 |
| June 19, 1994 | 16:30 | Cameroon  | 2–2 |  Sweden | Group B | 93,194 |
| June 22, 1994 | 16:30 | United States  | 2–1 | Colombia | Group A | 93,869 |
| June 26, 1994 | 13:00 | United States | 0–1 | Romania | Group A | 93,869 |
| July 3, 1994 | 13:30 | Romania | 3–2 |  Argentina | Round of 16 | 90,469 |
| July 13, 1994 | 16:30 | Sweden | 0–1 |  Brazil | Semi-Final | 91,856 |
| July 16, 1994 | 12:30 | Sweden | 4–0 |  Bulgaria | Third place | 91,500 |
| July 17, 1994 | 12:30 | Brazil | 0–0 (3–2) |  Italy | Final | 94,194 |
| Date | Time (UTC−7) | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 12, 2026 | 18:00 | United States | – |  Paraguay | Group D |
| June 15, 2026 | 18:00 | Iran  | – |  New Zealand | Group G |
| June 18, 2026 | 12:00 | Switzerland  | – |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | Group B |
| June 21, 2026 | 12:00 | Belgium  | – | Iran | Group G |
| June 25, 2026 | 19:00 | Turkey  | – | United States | Group D |
| June 28, 2026 | 12:00 | Runner-up Group A | – | Runner-up Group B | Round of 32 |
| July 2, 2026 | 12:00 | Winner Group H | – | Runner-up Group J | Round of 32 |
| July 10, 2026 | 12:00 | Winner Match 93 | – | Winner Match 94 | Quarterfinal |
| Date | Time (UTC−8) | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 20, 1999 | 16:00 | Italy | 1 – 1 |  Germany | Group B | 17,100 |
| June 20, 1999 | 18:30 | North Korea  | 1 – 2 |  Nigeria | Group A | 17,100 |
| July 10, 1999 | 10:15 | Norway  | 0 – 0 (4 – 5) | Brazil | 3rd place match | 90,185 |
| July 10, 1999 | 12:30 | United States | 0 – 0 (5 – 4) |  China | Final | 90,185 |
| Date | Match | Winning team | Result | Losing team | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 21, 2003 | Group D | Russia  | 2–1 |  Australia | 8,500 |
| September 21, 2003 | Group D | China | 1–0 |  Ghana | 10,027 |
| September 25, 2003 | Group D | Russia | 3–0 | Ghana | 13,929 |
| September 25, 2003 | Group D | China | 1–1 | Australia | 13,929 |
| October 11, 2003 | Third-place match | United States | 3–1 |  Canada | 25,253 |
| October 12, 2003 | Final | Germany | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Sweden | 26,137 |
| Date | Time (UTC−8) | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 15, 2025 | 12:00 | Paris Saint-Germain  | 4–0 |  Atlético Madrid | Group B | 80,619 |
| June 17, 2025 | 18:00 | Monterrey  | 1–1 | Inter Milan | Group E | 40,311 |
| June 19, 2025 | 18:00 | Paris Saint-Germain | 0–1 | Botafogo | Group B | 53,699 |
| June 21, 2025 | 18:00 | River Plate | 0–0 | Monterrey | Group E | 57,393 |
| June 23, 2025 | 12:00 | Atlético Madrid | 1–0 | Botafogo | Group B | 22,992 |
| June 25, 2025 | 18:00 | Urawa Red Diamonds  | 0–4 | Monterrey | Group E | 14,312 |
International Tournaments
Los Angeles has been an important place for international sports for many years. Besides the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup, the area has hosted many other big sporting events.
The Los Angeles area has welcomed many soccer tournaments. The Rose Bowl and other famous venues have hosted matches for events like the 2016 Copa América and the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final was held at SoFi Stadium, and matches for the 2024 Copa América were also there.
Los Angeles has also been a key spot for boxing, with many matches held in venues like the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Crypto.com Arena. The city hosts the Los Angeles Marathon each spring, which attracts runners from around the world. Huntington Beach is famous for surfing and has hosted the ISA World Surfing Games and the US Open of Surfing.
Los Angeles has also hosted events like the Special Olympics, the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, the World Figure Skating Championships, and swimming competitions. It has been a venue for big gaming events like the League of Legends World Championship and cricket tournaments. Los Angeles may also host matches for the 2031 Men's Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup in the future.
National Tournaments
Los Angeles has hosted many big sports events. It has had eight Super Bowls and six MLB All Star Games.
Super Bowls
The Super Bowl is the big championship game of the National Football League (NFL). It is played between the best teams from the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). Los Angeles has hosted the Super Bowl eight times. The games were at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Rose Bowl, and SoFi Stadium. Los Angeles hosted its eighth Super Bowl, called Super Bowl LVI, in 2022 at SoFi Stadium. The Los Angeles Rams won that game. Los Angeles will host again in 2027.
MLB All-Star Games
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also called the "Midsummer Classic", is a fun game between the best players from the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The Los Angeles metropolitan area has hosted this game six times.
NBA All-Star Games
Los Angeles has hosted the NBA All-Star Game six times at three places. The first time was in 1963 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Later, the Kia Forum in Inglewood held the games in 1972 and 1983. The Crypto.com Arena at LA Live hosted the games in 2004, 2011, and 2018. The new Intuit Dome will host the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
MLS All-Star Games
Los Angeles hosted the MLS All-Star Game two times. The first was in 2003 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, and the second was in 2021 at BMO Stadium.
NHL All-Star Games
The Los Angeles area has hosted the NHL All-Star Game three times. The Kia Forum in Inglewood held the game in 1981. The Crypto.com Arena hosted it in 2002 and 2017.
| Season | Date | Event | Opponents | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | January 15, 1967 | Super Bowl I | Kansas City Chiefs vs Green Bay Packers | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| 1972 | January 14, 1973 | Super Bowl VII | Miami Dolphins vs Washington Redskins | |
| 1976 | January 9, 1977 | Super Bowl XI | Oakland Raiders vs Minnesota Vikings | Rose Bowl |
| 1979 | January 20, 1980 | Super Bowl XIV | Los Angeles Rams vs Pittsburgh Steelers | |
| 1982 | January 30, 1983 | Super Bowl XVII | Miami Dolphins vs Washington Redskins | |
| 1986 | January 25, 1987 | Super Bowl XXI | Denver Broncos vs New York Giants | |
| 1992 | January 31, 1993 | Super Bowl XXVII | Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys | |
| 2021 | February 13, 2022 | Super Bowl LVI | Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals | SoFi Stadium |
| 2026 | February 14, 2027 | Super Bowl LXI | TBD |
Collegiate Tournaments
The Los Angeles area has many universities, such as the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles. Because of this, the area holds many important college sports events.
One famous event is the Rose Bowl Game. This is a college football game held each year on New Year's Day at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. Before the game, there is the Rose Parade on Colorado Boulevard. Another event is the LA Bowl. This is a college football game played each year at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. In 2023, Los Angeles hosted a big championship game called the College Football Playoff National Championship at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
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