Fan Experience

LA derby sets new MLS attendance record at Rose Bowl

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A new Major League Soccer attendance record was set yesterday (July 4) at the Rose Bowl in California after a sold-out crowd of 82,110 packed in to see a clash between rivals LA Galaxy and LAFC.

The crowd was nearly 8,000 more than the previous MLS record, set last year when Charlotte FC hosted LA Galaxy at Bank of America Stadium.

Behind that contest in the rankings are three 72,000-plus attendances for games featuring Atlanta United that took place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2018 and 2019.

Yesterday’s Independence Day game was originally scheduled to take place in February on the opening day of the season. However, the contest was postponed due to stormy conditions in Southern California.

The Galaxy usually plays its home games at Dignity Health Sports Park, which has a capacity of about 27,000. However, the Rose Bowl was its home from 1996 to 2002.

The Galaxy won the game 2-1, with coach Greg Vanney – a former player for the team during its time at the Rose Bowl – saying: “For me personally, to be back here and see it full shows how far the league has come. It was an incredible atmosphere.”