SoFi Stadium is both indoor and outdoor. A fixed, translucent roof covers the field and every seat, but the sides are open, so ocean air flows through and strong wind can blow rain in. Inglewood is mild: a 5 p.m. kickoff averages about 75°F in September and 61°F in December, and a December night game ends near 58°F. Bring a layer for winter night games and a poncho when wind and rain are both in the forecast.
On January 9, 2023, Georgia beat TCU 65-7 for the college football national title under that roof, and fans still got wet. Rain picked up in the second quarter, southeast winds gusting to about 28 mph at nearby Hawthorne airport pushed it through the open sides, and workers mopped slick concourses as fans slipped. SoFi has a roof but no walls.
Is SoFi Stadium Indoor or Outdoor?
SoFi Stadium is covered but not enclosed. The roof is made of ETFE, a light plastic film used in place of glass, stretched on a cable net and covering about 1 million square feet. It is not retractable: of its 302 panels, 46 can open, and the Rams have said they are there "mostly for comfort" on hot game days. Between the edge of the canopy and the ground, the stadium is open to the air on its sides.
SoFi Stadium's open-sided design comes partly from its neighbors. SoFi sits under the approach to LAX, so to stay within aviation height limits the seating bowl was dug about 100 feet below ground, and the roof covers it from above. Architects shaped the openings to pull in ocean breezes from the coast, about 6 miles west.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Indoor or outdoor? | Both: a fixed, translucent roof over open sides |
| Does rain get in? | Rarely; wind-driven rain can reach upper seats and concourses |
| Air conditioning? | No sealed, air-conditioned bowl; roof shade, 46 operable panels and ocean breezes |
| Prime-time kickoff (5 p.m.) | About 75°F in September, 61°F in December |
| Late in a night game (8 p.m.) | About 58°F from December through February |
| Umbrellas | Only small collapsible ones that fit in the approved clear bag |
Can It Rain on You at SoFi Stadium?
Rain can reach fans at SoFi Stadium, though rarely straight down: strong wind blows it in sideways through the open sides. Light rain on a calm night stays outside the bowl. Heavy rain with strong wind is different, and the 2023 title game had both: Hawthorne airport measured 0.69 inch that day and LAX more than an inch. The seats and concourses nearest the openings take most of the water, as does the walk from parking, which is fully outdoors.
Lightning can also delay events. On October 4, 2021, storms around Los Angeles delayed the Chargers-Raiders Monday Night Football kickoff by about 35 minutes, the stadium's first lightning delay. Because the sides are open, league safety rules still apply. One fan told CBS Los Angeles, "They told us to take cover, but we were already covered."
Rain at SoFi is mostly a winter concern. Hawthorne airport, 2 miles south, averages about 12 inches a year and sees measurable rain on about 6 or 7 days a month from December through February, the heart of the NFL season. September averages fewer than one. Most of it comes in a few big storms, as LA's wet-winter guide explains.
Does SoFi Stadium Get Hot or Cold Inside?
SoFi Stadium feels close to the outdoor temperature inside, minus the direct sun. About two-thirds of the roof film is printed with a dotted reflective pattern that cuts glare and heat, and the operable panels vent warm air. Because the sides are open, the bowl cannot be sealed and air-conditioned like a dome, so the stadium feels like Inglewood's weather, which is some of the mildest in Los Angeles.
Early-season afternoons are warm: a 1 p.m. kickoff averages about 78°F in September, and Hawthorne sees about 2 days of 90°F or hotter in September and 3 in October. Heat can arrive in winter too. The Rams won Super Bowl LVI at SoFi on February 13, 2022, on a day that reached 87°F at Hawthorne and was still about 80°F at kickoff. Winter nights are cool: a 5 p.m. kickoff in December averages about 61°F and the fourth quarter about 58°F, with ocean air drifting through the open sides.
The nearby coast also brings wind. From April through September, the sea breeze averages about 11 mph at Hawthorne at 5 p.m., then fades after dark. The microclimates explainer shows why Inglewood stays cooler than inland LA on the same afternoon.
What Should You Wear to a Game or Concert at SoFi?
Bring a warm layer to fall and winter night games at SoFi Stadium. You will spend time outdoors walking in from parking and the plaza, and the fourth quarter of a January night game runs in the upper 50s. For September and October afternoon games, wear light clothes and sunglasses; the walk in is in full sun, and the LA UV index runs high even when it feels mild.
Summer concerts and soccer bring warmer nights. SoFi hosted 2026 World Cup matches in June and July, and in July, Hawthorne averages about 74°F at 5 p.m. and 67°F at 11 p.m., so a light layer for the walk out is enough.
If rain is possible, a poncho or rain jacket works better than an umbrella. According to the stadium's A-Z guide, only small, collapsible umbrellas that fit in your clear bag are allowed. Clear bags can be up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, clutches up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches, and each guest may bring one factory-sealed plastic water bottle of 20 ounces or less. Policies can vary by event, so check before you go.
What Weather Should You Check Before Heading to Inglewood?
Before heading to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, check three things: the hourly temperature for arrival and the final hour of your event, wind gusts, and rain timing. Rain alone rarely matters inside SoFi, but rain with strong gusts, like the 28 mph gusts of the 2023 title game, can reach the seats near the openings, so bring a poncho on those days. Look for thunderstorm alerts from the National Weather Service and venue announcements about delays, and read how to read LA wind gusts and warnings if an advisory is posted.
Use a forecast for Inglewood, not a citywide one. In September, Hawthorne's normal high is about 78.5°F, closer to LAX (76.5°F) than to Downtown Los Angeles (83°F), because Inglewood sits in the path of the afternoon ocean air. By December the three are within about a degree of each other, and the bigger difference is how fast Inglewood cools after sunset. A "hot day in LA" headline in early fall often means a comfortable afternoon at SoFi, and a mild winter forecast can still mean a chilly walk back to the car after a night game.
SoFi's roof keeps off the sun and most of the rain, but the open sides let in cool Pacific air, which usually helps. Before a game or concert, check the hourly forecast on our Inglewood page. For baseball across town, see Dodger Stadium weather, and for New Year's in Pasadena, Rose Parade weather.