Inglewood, a city of nearly 103,000 in Los Angeles County, is undergoing a massive transformation as it prepares to host World Cup matches in 2026, the Super Bowl next year, and Olympic events in 2028. Billions of dollars have been poured into new and renovated stadiums, including SoFi Stadium, the Kia Forum, and the Intuit Dome, along with upgraded infrastructure and digital billboards. However, the boom has created a divide among residents, with some embracing the change and others feeling left behind.
Melisa Arnold, a 66-year-old retiree who has lived in Inglewood since 1985, says the city's soundscape is now defined by jackhammers and planes. She welcomes redevelopment but stresses that revenues must be equitably distributed. 'This is the city of the future,' she says, but adds that the key question is who benefits from hosting world-class events.
City leaders and developers describe the transformation as a renaissance. Mayor James T Butts Jr notes that 'the only thing that has changed in Inglewood is everything.' The arrival of the NFL's Rams and Chargers in 2020 sparked a rebirth after the departure of the Lakers and Kings in 1999 left the city struggling. Yet beyond the stadiums, vacant storefronts and a closed public school tell a different story.
Resident Tyler Fister, 42, who moved to Inglewood in 2013, says he cannot afford tickets to the Olympics or World Cup. 'We're getting flown over, and we're getting walked over,' he laments. The construction, street closures, and parking shortages have forced many to adapt to a new reality.
Christian Martin, 38, a business owner whose family runs eight restaurants in Inglewood, including the historic Bruno's Burgers, sees the change as positive. 'There's an old Inglewood, and there's a New Inglewood. I much rather pick this new Inglewood,' he says. His family has invested heavily in the city, and he believes the community needs both new developments and longstanding institutions.
As Inglewood reinvents itself, residents and business owners are fighting to ensure they are not left behind. The city's future as a global sports hub is bright, but the benefits must reach all corners of the community.
