Los Angeles Rams Announce Massive New Complex in Woodland Hills

Woodland Hills is about to become home to the Los Angeles Rams.

Rams’ owner and Chairman Stan Kroenke has unveiled plans for the Warner Center in the LA neighborhood. The 52-acre “Rams Village” would be home to the team’s headquarters and a training facility. This would officially move the team’s HQ into LA for the first time since they moved from St. Louis.

The sprawling complex also features condos, hotels, retail shopping, restaurants, and event venues. This will give the team a new home and help stimulate the local economy by creating jobs. The site is currently home to a temporary practice facility with the team.

While the excitement around Rams Village is spiking, its debut may still be more than a decade away. Construction is slated to start in 2027 but could take a decade to finish. The total cost is estimated to be around $10 billion.

The Rams hope this new complex will help further establish themselves in LA. While originally from LA, the Rams spent 21 seasons in St. Louis. That means they need to rebuild their fanbase, and the LA valley is the perfect place.

"By all of our metrics, if the Valley were its own NFL city, it would be the 14th-largest NFL city, and that's if you got rid of the rest of Los Angeles.” Rams President Kevin Demoff told the Los Angeles Times. “When you think about that opportunity to go bring a sports-and-entertainment district hub to the Valley, which has its own heartbeat, lifestyle and culture, it's really unique."

While the team won’t be playing any games in Woodland Hills, Rams Village is expected to be the hottest complex in the area. The team logo, splashed all over, could help win fans over in the coming years.

California does not currently allow online casinos and sportsbooks. However, there are signs that the state’s tribes could be willing to re-enter negotiations. That doesn’t mean legalization is close, but it could happen within the next 12 years.

If the state legalizes either industry, it could allow the Rams to create a gambling hub at their new complex. There would be plenty of room for a retail sportsbook or a casino-style facility. The location would be ideal, and it would give the team an extra source of revenue after spending billions on building the complex.

While tensions are high over legalizing other forms of gambling, time may not be on the side of tribes and state lawmakers. The rise of sports prediction markets allows residents to bet on sports and other events on a trading platform, cutting out the state and tribes.

A lot can happen between now and when the complex is finished, but don’t be surprised if gambling proponents gain a new ally in the Rams. Until then, residents will have to stick with free-to-play popular online casinos in California.

The announcement of the new complex represents a significant win for the Rams. When they moved to LA, the Chargers joined them. The timing has led the two teams to compete for fans in the sprawling market. With the Rams already delivering a Super Bowl and a world-class complex coming, the Chargers are playing catch-up.

The Rams have been far more successful with their move to LA, starting with their initial home field. The team secured a deal to play at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, home to the historic USC Trojans. This allowed them to host crowds of up to 77,500 people in their new city and tap into the massive USC fanbase.

The Chargers weren’t so lucky with their first home. The team could not secure a deal for some time before settling on Dignity Health Park. The 27,000-seat venue is home to the LA Galaxy and was by far the smallest stadium in the NFL.

The good news for the Chargers is that they seem to have a bright future on the field. A big-name coach, an elite quarterback, and young playmakers have the franchise very optimistic about the future. A run of success could change the dynamic between the two LA teams, but Rams Village shows that the team still is the main attraction.