USC Football Game Day Activities

During the fall, the University of Southern California Trojans football team attracts thousands of loyal fans to games at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The motto of USC athletics is "Fight On," and Trojan fans display their enthusiasm by participating in pep rallies, eating at tailgating events and cheering on the Trojans at the games. The university encourages fans to arrive in carpools to avoid traffic on gameday.

  1. The Spirit of Troy Marching Band

    • The USC Marching Band, also known as "The Spirit of Troy," is a 300-member ensemble that performs all of USC's football games, whether the Trojans are playing at Memorial Coliseum or on the road. The entire band travels to games at Notre Dame, the University of California-Los Angeles, Stanford and California. For other away games, a smaller contingent of the USC Marching Band travels. Before each home game, the Spirit of Troy marches across the university's campus to the stadium. The band performs before the game and at halftime.

    Tailgating

    • USC fans tailgate throughout the university's campus and football parking lot before the game. Tailgating is when fans set up to share barbecued food and drinks with other fans. On the campus, many of the USC fans congregate at Alumni Park, a grassy knoll in front of the Edward Doheny Library. Several hours before the game, the USC Marching Band performs for tailgaters at Alumni Park. At Memorial Coliseum's parking lot, tailgaters will usually set up barbecue grills chairs by their vehicles. Although tailgating occurs after the game, most fans leave after the game is over.

    Christmas Tree Lane

    • Christmas Tree Lane is a gathering spot for USC fans within walking distance of Memorial Coliseum. This grassy area hosts the Trojan Fan Fest, a family-friendly festival that occurs every Saturday before a home game. This festival features barbecue grills, inflatables and live music. Christmas Tree Lane is also the site of the Trojan Walk. This event consists of the USC football team walking from their buses to Memorial Coliseum; the players walk through a path created by Trojan fans. The Trojan Walk usually happens within two hours of the game.

    Football Games

    • The USC Trojans play all their home games at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, located at the southern end of the university's campus. This stadium has the nickname "The Grand Old Lady." Built in 1923, this stadium is on the National Register of Historic Places. Memorial Coliseum has a seating capacity of more than 93,000. The Trojans play seven home games at the Coliseum every season. Many of USC's home games occur during the late afternoon or early evening to accommodate television viewers on the East Coast.