SoFi Stadium stands as one of the top sporting destinations in the United States, and Stan Kroenke built it with $5 billion of his own money.
Now, the $22.2bn owner of the Los Angeles Rams wants some of that cash back.
A general view of the exterior of SoFi Stadium as it prepares for its use as Los Angeles Stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on April 22, 2026 in Inglewood, California
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Kroenke is in a dispute with Inglewood over his $5bn SoFi StadiumCredit: Getty
According to the New York Times, billionaire real estate mogul Kroenke is seeking $400 million from the city of Inglewood, California, in a legal dispute over improvements made to the building and its surrounding area.
Rams owner in legal battle over state-of-the-art stadium
Hollywood Park, the 300-acre mixed-use development that includes SoFi Stadium, is demanding reimbursement citing a development agreement it struck with the city in 2015.
But Inglewood is pushing back, and has argued the agreement was nixed by a subsequent court decision that made those adopted by voter initiative invalid.
The city also has issues with the amount of money being demanded.
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Per the New York Times report, Kroenke's lawyers argue that the development has turned Inglewood's fortunes around.
Since Hollywood Park was built, a new Metro line, as well as the $2bn Intuit Dome, have opened in the area.
"If the city’s agreements can now be revisited or undone after years of economic growth and community benefit, it raises fundamental questions about the reliability of doing business in Inglewood -- and California generally," Otto Maly, managing director of Hollywood Park and president of Kroenke Holdings, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Inglewood's lawyers have emphasized in court documents that 'billionaires are not above the law' and Mayor James T. Butts Jr. has said the city cannot pay because the development agreement it signed is invalid.
What events has SoFi Stadium brought to Inglewood in recent years?
Since opening six years ago, SoFi has hosted numerous sporting and cultural events.
The building is shared by two NFL teams -- Kroenke's Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers -- and hosted Super Bowl LVI in February 2022.
A general view inside SoFi Stadium during the first half of the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2024
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SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 and is the world's most expensive sporting venueCredit: Getty
An aerial view of Sofi Stadium on December 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California
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Improvements have been made to its Hollywood Park site in recent yearsCredit: Getty
Some of the world's biggest music artists, including The Rolling Stones, Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift have performed to massive crowds inside Sofi.
WWE has also run its annual showpiece, WrestleMania, out of the building.
Kroenke's crowning jewel will soon take a starring role at this summer's World Cup, and the USMNT will play their opening game in Inglewood, against Paraguay on June 12.
SoFi Stadium will host seven further matches, including one of the quarterfinal ties.
It will then take a key role for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
SoFi Stadium could inspire Premier League upgrades
While Kroenke looks set for a high-profile legal battle in California, his $5bn building could offer inspiration for his recently-crowned Premier League champions.
Owner of the Los Angeles Rams Stan Kroenke holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022
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Kroenke is seeking $400m back from the cityCredit: Getty
Son Josh Kroenke, who serves as Arsenal's co-chair, has teased 'special' updates to Emirates Stadium in London.
"It is a beautiful stadium," he told The Overlap podcast, after chief executive officer Richard Garlick suggested plans are in place to improve the club's facilities.
"We have SoFi Stadium, and we are going to be working on best practices to try to bring over here and really give the Arsenal supporters something special as well."
Arsenal have played at the Emirates since moving from Highbury in 2006 and at the time, it boasted being the biggest club stadium in the English capital with a capacity of 60,700.
A general view of the outside of the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on May 03, 2025
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Emirates Stadium could soon take inspiration from California's SoFiCredit: Getty
But it has since been overtaken by West Ham United’s London Stadium (62,500) and Tottenham Hotspur's modern home (62,850).
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Upgrades could soon be coming in north London, but Kroenke will no doubt want to quickly settle his dispute on the other side of the Atlantic, too.
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