More Than 70,000 Attend Soccer Game at Rose Bowl

The international friendly match between Spanish club Real Madrid and Italian club AC Milan drew a crowd of 70,814 people to the Rose Bowl — about 10,000 more than the stadium was originally expecting, according to an announcement during the game.

This marks the second major crowd to attend a soccer match in the Rose Bowl this month. On July 4, 82,110 attended the LA Galaxy-Los Angeles Football Club match.

The high attendance numbers continue to be great news for the Rose Bowl Operating Company (RBOC) which is looking for ways to increase stadium revenue.

The fiscal year 2024 budget plan for the Rose Bowl Operating Company projected a loss of $2.8 million. The RBOC’s operating reserves would cover the loss.

In Sunday’s match, AC Milan dominated the first half and scored twice before the bell, but lost their momentum in the second half after major substitutions resulted in three goals by Real Madrid, including a preventable soft shot that slowly rolled through the AC Milan goalkeeper’s hands.

Christian Pulisic, the captain of the U.S. National Soccer Team who joined AC Milan on June 13 after playing for Stamford Bridge in the Premier League and then Chelsea, played for 71 minutes of the game, which was one of his first for the club.

Following the game, HP sponsored a drone show in the sky just north of the stadium.

There was at least one arrest, but no complaints were submitted to Councilmember Steve Madison’s office.