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Low attendance at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum marks USC season opener

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 1:08 PM

Last updated Aug 31, 2026

Low attendance at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum marks USC season opener

Summary

The USC Trojans hosted San Jose State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 29, 2026, to begin their college football season. Official attendance for the contest was recorded at 51,144, significantly lower than the stadium's capacity of more than 77,000. This turnout represents a drop of over 10,000 spectators compared to the team's 2025 season opener. The sparse crowd has generated speculation regarding the current direction of the program under head coach Lincoln Riley. While Week 0 games and the matchup against a non-marquee opponent are cited as contributing factors, the low turnout remains a point of concern for a program with a historical standing in the sport. The 2026 campaign is considered a pivotal year for the coaching staff and the overall trajectory of the USC team.

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Market Watch

•Official attendance for the USC versus San Jose State game was 51,144.
•The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has a total capacity exceeding 77,000 seats.
•Attendance for this opener was 10,000 lower than the corresponding game in 2025.
•The 2026 season is viewed as a make-or-break year for head coach Lincoln Riley.

Latest Updates

1:08 PMYahoo Sports — Is USC’s terrible Week 0 attendance a big deal?

What they're saying

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USC’s 51,144 attendance against San Jose State was hard to ignore. The sparse Coliseum crowd raises questions about Lincoln Riley and the program’s direction.
— Yahoo Sports

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