L.A. is Hosting the First Super Sports Equinox in One City
For the first time in its history – and what may be a first for any major U.S. city – Los Angeles is preparing to host five professional sports games on the same day. Dubbed the “Super Sports Equinox” by FiveThirtyEight, the Rams, Clippers, Kings and Galaxy will all be playing at home on Sunday, Oct. 28. To cap off this ultimate pro sports day, the Dodgers are scheduled to play Game 5 of the World Series against the Boston Red Sox.
The so-called "Sports Equinox" occurs when there are games in each of the four "big" U.S. sports leagues: Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, and the National Hockey League.
FiveThirtyEight notes that Phoenix experienced the first-ever Super Sports Equinox in 2001 - but the Coyotes were on the road. L.A. will be the first city to ever host a Super Sports Equinox in one metro area.
“Los Angeles is a great sports town because we have some of the most loyal and passionate fans in the world,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “The fact that Angelenos can fill the stands for five different teams on the same day just goes to show how proud we are to call this city home.”
12:30 pm: Kings vs. Rangers - STAPLES Center
The historic day starts at 12:30 p.m., when the Kings drop the puck against the New York Rangers at STAPLES Center.
1:25 pm: Rams vs. Packers - L.A. Memorial Coliseum
About an hour later and a short drive down Figueroa, the undefeated Rams kickoff against the Green Bay Packers at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. The landmark venue has hosted all five pro leagues, and is one of the only stadiums in the world that can claim (along with the former Sports Arena) to be the home of four pro teams: the Rams, Dodgers, Clippers and Kings. (Fun fact: On March 29, 2008, the Dodgers and the Red Sox set a Guinness World Record for the largest attendance ever at a baseball game with a crowd of 115,300.)
1:30 pm: Galaxy vs. Dynamo - StubHub Center
Further down the Harbor Freeway, the Galaxy take the pitch against the Houston Dynamo at StubHub Center in Carson. This final match of the regular season will also be the sixth annual Fan Appreciation Day. The celebration features numerous merchandise and concessions discounts, prizes, Galaxy Equipment Sale and a canned food drive.
5:15 pm: Dodgers vs. Red Sox - Dodger Stadium
Fans attending any of those games who also scored tickets to the Fall Classic will thankfully have time to get to Dodger Stadium - first pitch is at 5:15 p.m.
6:30 pm: Clippers vs. Wizards - STAPLES Center
Finally, by 6:30 p.m. the STAPLES Center ice will be flipped for hardwood, when the Clippers tip off against the Washington Wizards.
According to Sports Illustrated, the 18th and most recent Sports Equinox took place on Oct. 18, 2018. The epic night featured the regular season debut of LeBron James as a Laker - the team faced the Portland Trailblazers on the road. The L.A. Super Sports Equinox will be unprecedented - and that's not even counting the LAFC, which also plays on Sunday but will be on the road.
“Sunday is another example of why Los Angeles is the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World,” said Kathryn Schloessman, president of the L.A. Sports & Entertainment Commission. “What other city can say they are hosting five pro sports teams games on the same day, including a World Series game as well? Only in Los Angeles.”
Much of this confluence depends on the Dodgers – whose games crossover with the NBA only if the team goes deep into the postseason – and the return of the NFL to Los Angeles two years ago. Before that, the Raiders concluded their 13-season run in Los Angeles in 1994, two years before the Galaxy played their first-ever game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Additionally, such games would need to be over the weekends, when the Rams usually play and when STAPLES Center occasionally hosts basketball-hockey doubleheaders.
Fortunately for the intrepid fans looking to go to one – or more – of the games, it looks like the local weather gods will cooperate, as forecasters are calling for a daytime high in the low-80s. And no chance of rain.
Can't make it to the games but want to root for the home teams during the Super Sports Equinox? We've got you covered with the best World Series Specials in L.A. Read More →
