Everything you need to know about the 89th East L.A. Classic

For the 89th time, Roosevelt and Garfield high schools will duke it out on the gridiron Friday at the East L.A. Classic.

The annual event has become a holiday of sorts for locals eager to see which team comes out on top to claim Eastside bragging rights in one of the biggest rivalries in youth sports.  

Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, clad in crimson red and gold colors, represent Boyle Heights. While Garfield’s Bulldogs, adorned in red and blue, are from unincorporated East L.A.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Friday’s big game:

Who’s playing, where and what time?

For the first time, the Classic will take place at So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood, the shared home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers NFL teams. SoFi is the largest stadium in the NFL at roughly 3.1 million square feet with 70,000 seats. The schools announced the game’s location on social media in early September, prompting swift criticism from some community members saying the game should be played on the Eastside. 

This year’s festivities kick off Friday, Oct. 25, with the junior varsity game at 3:30 p.m. The JV teams were previously left off the schedule but were added after community complaints. The girls’ flag football game starts at 6 p.m. and marks a landmark moment for the sport which has grown in popularity on the Eastside. Lastly, the varsity game begins at 7:30 p.m.

How can I purchase tickets?

Those clamoring to witness L.A. history are in luck, as some $40 event tickets are still available on Ticketmaster. Once purchased, it is recommended that you download the SoFi Stadium Mobile App where your tickets can be found. Only mobile tickets will be accepted and no screenshots or PDFs are allowed. The stadium is also a cashless venue and accepts all major credit, debit, and mobile payments.

Roosevelt High will be selling discounted tickets until Wednesday, Oct. 23. RHS/MSTMA students can purchase tickets for $15, while general tickets are priced at $35. Tickets can be purchased at Roosevelt’s student store (entrance via 4th Street) from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

What about parking?

SoFi Stadium parking lots open at 1:30 p.m., and parking can be purchased online ahead of the game here. There are several parking sites located around the stadium, with passes ranging from $22 to $28. Parking prices will increase on-site the day of the event.

What can I expect from the commute?

East L.A. Classic attendees should plan enough time for their commute as a slew of sporting events and concerts are expected to congest the roads and freeways on Friday. 

The L.A. Dodgers will go head-to-head against the New York Yankees in game one of the MLB World Series at Dodgers Stadium at 5:08 p.m. The Lakers will face off against the Phoenix Suns at the Crypto.com Arena downtown at 7 p.m. In South L.A., the USC Trojans will play against Rutgers University at the L.A Memorial Coliseum at 8 p.m. 

Concerts are scheduled at two venues near SoFi. David Gilmore of Pink Floyd is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Intuit Dome, and Jeff Lynne’s ELO will take the stage at 8 p.m. and at the KIA Forum.

What can I bring inside?

Approved bags include a clear 12x6x12-inch tote, a one-gallon resealable clear plastic storage bag, and a small clutch bag that doesn’t exceed 4×6 inches, according to SoFi’s bag policy page. There is a long list of prohibited items, including any drugs (marijuana, cigarettes of any kind, vaporizers, smokeless tobacco, illegal substances, etc.), outside food and beverages (medically required food or beverages are allowed), weapons and incendiary devices of any kind, and more.

Who’s performing?

Boyle Heights native and hip-hop superstar will.i.am will once again perform at the Classic’s halftime show along with his Grammy Award-winning group Black Eyed Peas. The rapper and producer previously performed at the 87th game which took place at the L.A. Coliseum.

Both schools’ spirit teams, including the marching band, cheer, drill and flag teams will be performing alongside Black Eyed Peas. The schools’ mariachi bands will also perform at the event.

What’s the history of the Classic and where do teams stand? 

The history of the East L.A. Classic dates back to 1925, when Garfield was founded. According to Roosevelt’s website, the two schools hosted a game every year except for the period between 1939 and 1948 due to the Great Depression and World War II.

The game was originally held at each school’s campus but was relocated to the East Los Angeles College stadium to accommodate the large crowds. In 1971, Roosevelt’s football coach Al Chavez and Garfield’s coach Ted Davis met to give a proper name to the now-popular event, deciding on “the Classic.”

The game has been held at ELAC’s Weingart stadium most years, although it has taken place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before.

Garfield High dominated the Classic in the 2010’s, maintaining an impressive 10-game winning streak over Roosevelt until the Rough Riders staged an upset victory in 2021. Garfield, however, beat their opponent 49-16 in last year’s Classic.