On April 29, Banc of California Stadium will make its debut when LAFC plays host to the Seattle Sounders. Last month, LAFC granted us a tour of the $350-million venue at 3939 S. Figueroa Street.

The 22,000-seat stadium, which replaced the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, is billed as Los Angeles' first open-air venue since Dodger Stadium was completed in 1962. Other stadiums - such as StubHub center - are located in other jurisdictions.

Gensler designed the stadium, which is described as creating "an intimate European-style character," that establishes a closer relationship between players and fans. This is perhaps best exemplified by Banc of California Stadium's Field Club, which will see players line up for pre-game introductions in an area accessible to fans.

Studio MLA served as the project's landscape architecture firm.

The facility will feature several other spaces for entertainment and dining, including a food hall and an upper-level deck known as the Sunset Club.