Attending a Los Angeles Rams NFL game at SoFi Stadium is an exhilarating experience, especially in January when the stakes are high. Whether you’re a longtime fan or attending your first game, this guide will help you make the most of your day, from what to wear to where to eat. We just went to the last game of the season and as regular game attendees I’m covering what you can expect even when bringing little ones along for the fun!
What to Wear to a Rams Football Game
Attending a football game in January requires dressing smart to stay comfortable throughout the day. Here are some suggestions:
- Layer Up: With the possibility of cool weather, layering is key. A Rams jersey over a long-sleeve shirt, paired with a cozy jacket, will keep you warm and show your team spirit. Living in Orange County, I knew my weather app would be pretty reliable and with weather predicted at 70 degrees I knew a short sleeve shirt with a jacket to layer would be perfect. Also, a nice pair of jeans makes it cute!
- Comfortable Footwear: You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so opt for comfortable shoes. Sneakers are a great choice. I think we logged in 11K steps of walking this day, so yes – plan accordingly.
- Accessories: Don’t forget a Rams cap or beanie to show your support and keep warm.
Tailgating at SoFi Stadium
Tailgating is an essential part of the football experience. Arrive early to soak in the pre-game excitement. Here’s how to enjoy tailgating to the fullest:
- Plan Ahead: You’ll have to reserve and pay for your parking at the designated tail gate lots. Check the stadium’s tailgating policies beforehand.
- Food and Drinks: Bring your own grill and favorite snacks. If you’re meeting with a group of friends plan on who will bring what.
- Games and Entertainment: Bring along a portable speaker to keep the energy high.
Since we took the little gal along with us this go around – we didn’t grill and opted to take in food. (In-n-out is super close buy). If you plan to bring in take-out food, bring a cooler bag to keep your food warm until you get into the tailgate parking area. If you won’t be tailgating, there are also picnic tables before walking into Sofi Stadium so that’s another option to consider if you’re taking kids or the family.
One thing to note here, plan to arrive to the parking lot by 10:30am no later than 11am for a 1:30pm game if you are bringing in your own food. If you plan to grill your food, arrive by 9:30am or 10am the very latest for a 1pm game. You need to give yourself time to set up, cook and break down.
A note on porter potties, there are plenty of them, but they can get messy closer to game time. We opt to use porter potties shortly after we arrive to the parking lot and then wait to use the restroom until we get into the stadium. There are also nicer restrooms available closer to the stadium entrance when walking in. So, you definitely have options. If you are taking young kids, take a small portable potty in your car. We didn’t have to use ours this time but had it ready just in case.
Eating and Budget
There are lots of food options at SoFi Stadium, you won’t go hungry! Consider these tips to manage your budget:
- Set a Budget: Decide in advance how much you’re willing to spend on food and team merch.
- If you aren’t eating before getting into the stadium, consider how much time you are willing to miss out on watching the game. There are always lines for food, so you want to budget your time as well.
Drinks and Spending
Hydration is crucial, especially if you’re indulging in adult beverages. Here are some budgeting tips:
- Pre-Game Hydration: Drink water before the game to stay hydrated.
- Take a sealed water bottle into the stadium, they allow this! I’ve taken up to two.
- Drink Responsibly: Set a limit on alcoholic beverages to enjoy the game safely. Can’t emphasize this enough. IF we drink before the game, we typically won’t buy drinks inside. But if we don’t drink before the game, we treat ourselves to a refreshing cocktail or beer to enjoy the game. This time we didn’t have any adult drinks because we had our daughter with us and really wanted to make sure she had a great game experience.
Snacks
You may get hungry and not enough for a meal so you may want to plan to buy popcorn, a pretzel, or something small to hold you over. I’ve never tried to bring in snacks and I don’t believe they allow them.
- There are small carts with sodas, water, candy, chips and there is also a small convenience store next to the team store.
Team Store
A visit to the team store is a must for any Rams fan. Here, you can find:
- Merchandise: From jerseys to hats, there’s plenty of gear to show your Rams pride.
- Memorabilia: Look for unique items that commemorate your experience.
- This is definitely a must stop for us each time!
Since we had our daughter at this game, I opted to only walk through the team store briefly and then stepped out so my husband could enjoy his time shopping.
Photo Ops
Capture your game day memories at these iconic spots around SoFi Stadium:
- Inside the Stadium: The field and massive screen provide a great backdrop.
Taking Kids
We just took our daughter to her first game at the age of 5, and we really think this was the perfect age for her to appreciate it. We even scored post-game field access passes. With kids it’s important to focus on making their experience an enjoyable one. For us that meant picking up In-N-Out while still letting her participate in the tailgate experience. We took our chairs, listened to good music and people-watched for just a little under an hour as to keep her engaged.
As soon as we arrived to the stadium, we offered a restroom break. We took her to the team store and allowed her to show us if there was anything she liked, and she asked for a pom-pom. As soon as she selected her item, we let her dad take over and keep shopping for himself while we exited. There’s a lot of people shopping so we wanted to avoid any overstimulation. During half time we offered another potty break which she declined but took us up on a candy offer at the store. Having a bottle of water helped keep her hydrated with all the steps we logged in. And you can only imagine how much fun she had going down to the field once the game ended!
Final Thoughts
Attending a Rams game in January is an great experience. The weather is crisp and cool, but you just never know when the sunshine will surprise you. These tips should set you up to enjoy the game, stay comfortable, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re there for the thrill of the game or the camaraderie of fellow fans, the day promises to be full of excitement. Go Rams!
x,
The Sun Queen
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