The move to bring a second Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise to Los Angeles has made significant progress after the city council green lit plans for a US$250m (£173.1m, €219.6m) stadium complex for Los Angeles FC.
LA City Council “unanimously approved” a final Environmental Impact Report for the development, which will include a 22,000-capacity stadium, restaurants, office space, a conference centre and a football museum.
Local architectural firm Gensler have designed the arena, which is expected to be completed in time for the 2018 MLS season when Los Angeles FC will join neighbour Los Angeles Galaxy in the league’s Western Conference.
“LA is the centre of the sports world and Los Angeles FC is set to become the crown jewel of LA’s rich soccer heritage,” said mayor Eric Garcetti. “I applaud the city council for approving this world-class stadium that will create thousands of good paying, local jobs and bring soccer fans the world over to the heart of our city.”
Los Angeles FC has a 27-member ownership group which includes Henry Nguyen, Cardiff City FC owner Vincent Tan, basketball legend Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, actor Will Ferrell and club president Tom Penn.
