BTS Kicks Off 4-Night Run at Inglewood's SoFi Stadium as Part of 'ARIRANG' World Tour BTS began its "ARIRANG" world tour at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium on Tuesday, marking the start of a four-night concert series that has drawn massive crowds eager to see the K-pop group perform. The event, which kicked off with a celebration of Jung Kook’s 29th birthday, featured fans singing “Happy Birthday” as one of his bandmates placed a crown on his head before he bowed to the audience in gratitude. The group’s return to live performances follows a hiatus since 2022, during which members fulfilled their mandatory military service obligations in South Korea. The tour, which began in April, has been met with immense anticipation, with fans lining up hours before the first show to secure merchandise. Jessica Carroll, a BTS fan, described the experience as “unreal,” noting the significance of the group’s return to Los Angeles after their “Permission to Dance” tour. Kenneth Feal of Pomona highlighted the sense of community among fans, praising the welcoming and friendly atmosphere at the event. The four-night run at SoFi Stadium is set to be one of the largest concert events in the region this year, with each performance scheduled for Tuesday, September 2; Wednesday, September 3; Saturday, September 5; and Sunday, September 6. Stadium gates open at 6 p.m., with concerts beginning at 8 p.m. Parking lots open at 8 a.m. each day, though fans are advised to purchase parking in advance due to rising on-site costs. Tickets for all four shows are sold out through Ticketmaster, but resale platforms like SeatGeek, StubHub, and Vivid Seats still list available options. Merchandise opportunities include a dedicated shopping area on concert days, with four exterior locations open from 10 a.m. until one hour after each show ends.#sofi_stadium #bts #inglewood #arirang_world_tour #jung_kook
US Opens Home World Cup with Dominant 4-1 Victory Over Paraguay The United States made a resounding statement in its home World Cup debut with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday night, marking the tournament’s opening match in the Bay Area. The game, held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, drew a sold-out crowd of 70,492 fans, many clad in red, white, and blue, as the Americans showcased a dynamic attacking style under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The win, the U.S.’s largest margin in a World Cup match since 1930, set the tone for a tournament that will see 78 matches hosted across the San Francisco Bay Area, including six at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Folarin Balogun, the 24-year-old striker born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, became the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup game since 1930. His two goals, along with contributions from Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna, propelled the Americans to a commanding lead. Balogun’s performance was particularly notable as he chose to represent the U.S. over England or Nigeria, a decision that has already elevated his profile on the global stage. The Nigerian-born player, who grew up in London and joined Arsenal’s academy at age 8, scored twice in the first half, including a stunning shot into the upper left corner of the net just before halftime. His second goal came after a deflected pass from Pulisic, who provided two assists and orchestrated much of the U.S. attack. The match began with an own goal by Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla, who inadvertently directed a cross into his own net in the seventh minute. The U.S. extended its lead to 3-0 in the 31st minute when Balogun capitalized on a cross from Pulisic, and then added a fourth goal in the 89th minute through Reyna’s toe-flick finish.#us #folarin_balogun #sofi_stadium #inglewood #paraguay
Not f*cking leaving: Brandon Jenkins vitalized by Netflix, Dillon Danis fight offers Brandon Jenkins has been doing this a long time – so long, in fact, that some of his 30+ amateur fights won’t show on his record. They were unsanctioned before Alabama started regulating them. But he’s continued to keep things exciting, even after his two-and-out in the UFC. Perhaps Jenkins (16-11) hasn’t been the poster boy, but he’s a hot commodity among promotions. He’s proven he’s reliable, game, and exciting, dating all the way back to his amateur debut in 2010. That’s perhaps why Most Valuable Promotions enlisted his services for its first MMA fight in promotion history. Jenkins will kick off Saturday’s event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. (Netflix), when he fights Chris Avila (8-9). As much as some things have changed, many have stayed the same. “I’m all about experiences,” Jenkins recently told MMA Junkie. “I was a small-town kid. When I grew up fighting, I was such a trailer park kid that I would book my own fights. I’d book them really far away, and I would call someone like Dean Toole for island fights, and say, ‘Hey, can I come and fight on the card with the Hilton on the beach?’ So he’d put me up on the beach, and I’m like laying on the beach, getting some sun, and I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, I got to get in a fistfight later.’ But it was like a vacation to me, so anytime I get to fly somewhere nice and fight and experience new things, it always fires me up.” Jenkins, 34, has a resume that contains appearances in the UFC, PFL, Karate Combat, and Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA, in addition to a whole host of regional promotions. Had turmoil not begun to bubble in the Middle East, Jenkins revealed Misfits would’ve been next for him, as a bout vs. Dillon Danis was on the table from Misfits.#netflix #intuit_dome #inglewood #brandon_jenkins #mma_junkie
Jo Koy and Gabriel Iglesias made history by selling out SoFi Stadium with over 70,000 fans, marking a milestone for comedy as a mainstream entertainment form. The event, which drew massive crowds, signaled a shift in how comedy is perceived and experienced, moving beyond traditional venues like comedy clubs and theaters. For decades, stadiums have been reserved for musical acts and sports events, but tonight’s performance by the two comedians challenged that norm. The 70,000-capacity venue far exceeded their previous record of sold-out shows at the Kia Forum in Inglewood. The stage setup was three times larger than standard comedy setups, with massive screens and high production values that elevated the experience to a level comparable to rock concerts. This marked a clear step toward comedy’s integration into mainstream entertainment. The achievement capped years of hard work for both comedians, who have long been recognized as top-tier touring acts. Iglesias ranked No. 4 on 2025’s Billboard Boxscore for comedy tours, earning $35.3 million from 100 shows, while Koy placed No. 8 with $20.9 million from 83 shows. Their ability to fill arenas and theaters consistently demonstrated their status as industry leaders, but tonight’s event proved they had transcended the confines of comedy clubs entirely. The one-night-only format added to the exclusivity of the show. Both performers emphasized that this kind of event would not happen again, with Iglesias stating, “I still feel young enough. But I don’t know I can do something like this again.” The idea for SoFi Stadium originated during a surprise onstage moment at the Kia Forum in February 2024, where Iglesias proposed performing “across the street” at SoFi. The crowd’s immediate reaction confirmed the potential of the concept. Planning the event took a year of coordination.#jo_koy #sofi_stadium #gabriel_iglesias #kia_forum #inglewood
