Why you should experience The Torch at the LA Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.
The Torch at the LA Memorial Coliseum is the defining architectural landmark of one of the most storied stadiums in the world, rising above the peristyle arches as a symbol of Olympic history and civic memory.
Positioned at the eastern end of the Coliseum within Exposition Park, the Torch crowns the grand arched façade known as the peristyle, a semicircular colonnade that frames the stadium's most iconic sightline. The structure stands elevated above the seating bowl, visible from both inside the arena and surrounding streets, with its cauldron centered atop the memorial wall. Concrete arches sweep outward beneath it, forming a grand backdrop that has anchored opening ceremonies, championship broadcasts, and international events for nearly a century. Los Angeles, California is defined by reinvention, but the Torch represents continuity. The architecture was designed to endure.
What you should know about The Torch at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
The Torch at the LA Memorial Coliseum has been lit for multiple Olympic Games and remains one of the few stadium cauldrons in the world tied to more than one Summer Olympics.
Originally installed as part of the stadium's 1923 dedication, the peristyle and torch were later integrated into Olympic ceremonies in 1932 and 1984, with future Games scheduled to return. The cauldron has been modernized over time to meet contemporary safety and broadcast standards, yet its silhouette remains unchanged. During major events, the torch can be ignited ceremonially, transforming the stadium's eastern end into a focal point that extends beyond the playing field itself. What many visitors do not immediately register is how the peristyle frames the sky. Unlike enclosed arenas, the Torch stands open against daylight or night air, turning flame into a visible civic signal. It functions as both memorial and beacon.
How to fold The Torch at the LA Memorial Coliseum into your trip.
The Torch at the LA Memorial Coliseum works best as part of a broader Exposition Park visit or stadium event.
Arrive early to walk the exterior perimeter and stand beneath the peristyle arches before entering the seating bowl. If attending a game or concert, orient yourself toward the eastern end to take in the full view of the Torch rising above the tiers. Pair the visit with nearby museums or campus walks through the USC-adjacent park grounds. When you step back outside into Los Angeles, California, the open lawn and skyline frame the peristyle in contrast to the modern city beyond. Above the arches stands the Torch, a fixed symbol within a constantly changing metropolis.
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