On Thursday, Angel City FC revealed a temporary arrangement for its longstanding search for a dedicated training facility in the Los Angeles region: The NWSL club will continue its association with California Lutheran University but will relocate to the facility previously occupied by the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.
A comprehensive renovation of the premises is currently in progress, according to the club, and the roughly 50,000 square-foot indoor area will become the largest facility dedicated exclusively to an NWSL team.
However, this remains a short-term solution for the organization. Angel City FC plans to utilize the performance center “for up to four years,” as stated in the club’s press announcement.
This development follows closely on the heels of the recent acquisition by new majority owners Willow Bay and Bob Iger, who took over control of the team for an NWSL-record valuation of $250 million. A superior training environment has been a focus for several years, an aspect Bay acknowledged could draw further investment.
“From a sporting perspective, having a performance center that truly meets the unique needs of our athletes is absolutely critical,” said Angel City FC general manager Angela Hucles Mangano in a statement. “Our players and staff have long awaited this training facility and will greatly benefit from brand new equipment and customized spaces. These invaluable resources are essential for performing at the highest level and are crucial to maintaining a standard of professional excellence for our athletes.”
California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, California, which is situated in a different county than Los Angeles. The distance is approximately 50 miles from the club’s downtown LA venue, BMO Field, and navigating through traffic can take about 90 minutes.
Angel City has been training at Cal Lutheran since its inaugural season in 2022 and has been using modular trailers for locker rooms and staff accommodations.
The new performance facility will feature a full-sized field along with a half-field, as well as a gym, treatment areas, on-site dining, and dedicated spaces for staff. Additional amenities will include a player lounge and a children’s play area for the families of players and staff.
The Rams utilized this site until recently, having relocated to Los Angeles from St. Louis in 2016 and winning a Super Bowl in 2022 before opening a permanent training facility elsewhere this year.
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