Walt Benedict, senior vice president of facilities and grounds at SoFi Stadium, explained their direction toward hosting upcoming major events with greater confidence, after successfully handling crowds for 30 days during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, using a temporary grass field, and implementing strict security measures around match management. Benedict affirmed that this experience is the fruit of years of planning, saying: 'I think things went very well from a public safety perspective, given the number and size of matches, all our partners in law enforcement and our federal and even local agencies worked together.' Benedict pointed out that the stadium's systems for ticket sales, crowd movement, food and beverage services, and entry and exit proved their efficiency under repeated pressure during the 2026 World Cup, as large numbers of fans were visiting the stadium for the first time, adding: 'At no point while walking around did we think, wait, this place is too tight, there's not enough space there, we saw everything running very smoothly.' Benedict explained that football fans create a different operational pattern than those at NFL games, as more fans leave their seats during halftime and put pressure on corridors, food outlets, and restrooms at the same time, noting that the stadium handled those flows successfully and provided staff with useful information for future events. Regarding the field, Benedict continued: 'It exceeded expectations, and its vitality increased as events continued, but keeping the grass permanently is not realistic for a stadium hosting two NFL teams, concerts, and other events; the process wouldn't be feasible. The depth of the stadium below ground, the roof structure that is covered, and the year-round events schedule are not compatible with permanent grass.' The stadium, which cost five billion dollars in Inglewood, hosted eight World Cup matches including the US opener. This series of matches served as a successful test for the stadium, which is scheduled to host the Super Bowl in the NFL in February next year, in addition to swimming competitions and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.