France, June 10 -- Known as SoFi Stadium when American football teams the LA Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers are in town, the venue underwent significant changes ahead of the World Cup.

The turf used for American football was stripped out and cool-season hybrid grass installed, delivered in refrigerated trucks. Around 400 seats have been removed from demountable sections and the playing surface raised by roughly 75cm using a substructure that allows airflow beneath the pitch.

Centre of development

Opened in September 2020 in Inglewood, about 20km from Los Angeles, SoFi Stadium lies at the heart of the Hollywood Park development. The 120-hectare site includes shops, offices, a hotel, a park, and 2,500 homes.

The stadium will be renam...