The National Championship At The Most Expensive Stadium
Let's Talk About Some Of These Expensive Stadiums/Arenas
Tonight is the College Football National Championship where the #3 Texas Christian University Horned Frogs will go against the #1 Georgia Bulldogs. Although the game is what we are all here to enjoy, today, I wanted to look at the business behind it and the stadium the game will be played at.
The game will take place at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California, which opened in 2020 and is the most expensive stadium ever constructed. But now, let’s talk about how by 2024, the top 4 most expensive stadiums/arenas ever built will be in either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Allegiant Stadium - Opened 2020 | Cost $2 Billion
First on the list is the Home of the Las Vegas Raiders, standing at the #4 most expensive stadium/arena. This venue is also home to the NFL’s annual Pro Bowl and an international concert destination. It even has a club that is on the field, providing an elevated game-day experience.
Now, by the numbers, it has 2,200 TVs, 44 escalators, and a 75,000 square feet video board, just to name a few of its major features. It is a wow stadium and uses all the $2 Billion that was put into it.
Intuit Dome - Expected 2024 | Cost $2 Billion
The Los Angeles Clippers are finally getting away from their bigger brother, the Lakers, and have decided to build their own arena in Inglewood, California. This will be an 18,000 seat stadium with the team’s practice facility, sports medicine clinic, offices, and retail store included. The large outdoor basketball courts will always be open to the public and should be a hit in this area.
MSG Sphere - Expected 2023 | Cost $2.2 Billion
Probably the most interesting venue on this list is the MSG Sphere being built as part of the Venetian resort. This 17,500-seat auditorium will primarily host award shows and concerts but also have the capability for important boxing matches and esports tournaments. This venue will have 9 levels, and every seat will have access to high-speed internet. In one of those 9 levels, there will be a VIP club in the basement.
SoFi Stadium - Opened 2020 | Cost: $5.5 Billion
Lastly, the host of the 2023 National Championship Game and the by far most expensive venue on this list is the beautiful SoFi Stadium. Home to the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams, it has an all-LED roof and a hanging videoboard larger than the football field.
In its short history, it has already hosted a Super Bowl and now a College Football National Championship. The events don’t stop there as it already has plans to host WrestleMania 39, a portion of the 2026 World Cup, and a portion of the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Discussing the Price Tags
As a society, we are becoming more and more driven by the need for entertainment and making the assumption that you are a sports fan reading this, sport is a main form of entertainment. Watching sports is nothing new, but stadiums/arenas are trying to make sure they can give you a reason to go and experience this form of entertainment.
These venues are also viewed as entertainment destinations that host more than sports. Some of these venues may be continued to be upgraded, but we will look at their base cost of creation. I believe it is good for society to continue to come together through these venues. As long as they continue to be built with the environment in mind, we should see sports stadiums continue to thrive for generations to come.