Upcoming USC Trojans Football dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
USC football in brief: titles, tailbacks and the Coliseum
The USC Trojans play home football games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a 77,500-seat open-air stadium in Exposition Park, directly across from USC's University Park campus south of downtown Los Angeles. Home games run from late August through November, and USC has played in the Big Ten since 2024.
The program dates to 1888 and is one of the most decorated in the sport. USC claims 11 national championships (1928, 1931, 1932, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003 and 2004), though the BCS vacated the 2004 title after NCAA sanctions; the AP still recognizes USC as its 2004 champion. The Trojans have produced eight Heisman Trophy winners, the most of any school, and the run of Heisman tailbacks (Mike Garrett, O. J. Simpson, Charles White, Marcus Allen and Reggie Bush) earned USC the nickname "Tailback U." With 25 wins in 34 appearances, USC holds the records for Rose Bowl appearances and wins.
The John McKay era (1960–1975) brought four national titles, and the Pete Carroll teams of the 2000s returned USC to the top of the polls. Rosters and coaching staffs change each year, so check the team site for the current lineup.
Where to sit at the Coliseum
The Coliseum opened in 1923 and has hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984, with a third Games coming in 2028. USC operates it under a master lease and completed a renovation in 2019 that replaced every seat, widened some seats and aisles, and added a seven-story tower on the south side with suites, loge boxes, club seats and the press box.
Layout basics
- The field runs east to west. The peristyle, the arched colonnade with the Olympic cauldron, closes the east end.
- The south sideline sits in front of the tower; the north sideline faces it.
- The bowl is large and fairly shallow. The playing field sits inside the old track area, so the lowest rows, especially in the end zones, are farther from the field and lower than they look on a chart.
Sideline vs. end zone
Sideline seats between the 20-yard lines, roughly 20 or more rows up, give the best view; the lowest rows put you behind the bench crowd. End zone seats are cheaper to get into, but the distance in this bowl is real, and the far end zone is a long way from the play. Seats in front of the peristyle give the classic view of the cauldron and arches, which many visitors want for the photo alone.
Student section and sun
USC's student section, the Legion, fills sections 123–127 and 225–227, with students entering at Gate 28. Seats next to it are loud and stand all game. For day games, the north sideline faces south toward the sun, while the south sideline has the sun behind it and the tower above it; if heat matters, the south side is the better bet for an early kickoff.
UCLA, Notre Dame and the USC games that sell first
USC has two signature rivalries, and both drive demand.
- Notre Dame. The intersectional series for the Jeweled Shillelagh has been played most years since 1926 and is considered one of the great rivalries in the sport, with more national champions and Heisman winners involved than any other matchup. The series alternates sites, and it does not appear on USC's 2026 schedule, so check before planning a trip around it.
- UCLA. The crosstown game for the Victory Bell pits two schools 10 miles apart. In 2026 it is at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on November 28; in alternate years it is at the Coliseum.
Big Ten visitors add a new layer of demand. In 2026, Oregon, Washington, Ohio State and Maryland come to the Coliseum, and Ohio State in particular brings one of the largest traveling fan bases in the sport. Expect those games, and any late-season game with conference stakes, to command the highest resale prices. Early nonconference games against regional opponents are usually the easiest seats to find.
Gameday at Exposition Park
USC gamedays center on campus and Exposition Park. The fight song "Fight On" doubles as a battle cry, delivered with a two-finger V for victory, and a horse named Traveler is the program's mascot.
Tailgating
As of the 2026 season, USC allows tailgating on campus lawns with a tailgating permit, not inside parking garages, plus designated spaces in Exposition Park. Campus lots and structures open six hours before kickoff, are cashless and sell first come, first served; some Exposition Park lots are reserved for Trojan Athletic Fund members.
Getting there
- Metro E Line. The Expo/USC and Expo/Vermont stations sit just north of the stadium, about 15 minutes from downtown or Culver City. This is usually the least stressful option.
- Rideshare. USC lists pickup zones on Vermont Avenue between Exposition Boulevard and 36th Place, and at Flower Street and Jefferson Boulevard.
- Driving. Campus structures are a half mile to a mile walk from the stadium. Allow extra time for gameday traffic around Exposition Park.
How USC football tickets work
USC sells season tickets, with seat and parking priority tied to Trojan Athletic Fund giving; single-game tickets after renewals; and student tickets, which are paid and delivered to mobile wallets. Most home games have single-game seats available, but the best sideline locations go to donors.
For a marquee visitor such as Ohio State or, in years it is played at home, Notre Dame or UCLA, the resale market is how most fans get good seats. Season ticket holders resell individual games, and the supply of sideline seats is widest in the weeks before kickoff. Every order on this site is backed by a 100% guarantee.
Coliseum bag policy
As of the 2026 season, USC allows one clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one-gallon clear storage bag, plus a hand-sized clutch. Backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, coolers, camera bags and purses larger than a clutch are prohibited. Read the current USC clear bag policy before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the USC Trojans play home football games?
USC plays at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park, across the street from campus. The Trojans have played there since it opened in 1923, and capacity is 77,500 after a 2019 renovation.
Where is the USC student section at the Coliseum?
USC Athletics lists the student section, called the Legion, in sections 123–127 and 225–227. Students enter through Gate 28 with a paid student ticket.
How many national championships does USC claim?
USC claims 11 national titles: 1928, 1931, 1932, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003 and 2004. The BCS vacated the 2004 title after NCAA sanctions, though the AP still recognizes it.
How do I get to the Coliseum by train?
Take the Metro E Line to Expo/USC or Expo/Vermont station, both just north of the stadium. The ride is about 15 minutes from downtown Los Angeles or Culver City.
Is Notre Dame on USC's 2026 home schedule?
No. USC's published 2026 schedule does not include Notre Dame. The series has historically alternated between Los Angeles and South Bend, so check future schedules.