Cosm provides elevated stadium-like experience

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — For many fans, nothing beats the in-stadium experience. The sights and sounds of the game, coupled with the camaraderie of the crowd, make it challenging to beat. 

Cosm Los Angeles looks to recreate that experience with an immersive spin. The newly opened venue, between SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome, aims to create a stadium-like feel. 

Yes, but what is the Cosm? Think of a larger Griffith Observatory with sports bars or a smaller version of The Sphere in Las Vegas.

The main attraction is The Dome, which simulates that experience with a massive screen on all sides of the audience. The three-floor experience immerses viewers while they can enjoy service in their seats. 

Cosm's display featured an entire field view from the sideline and behind the goal for the United States Women’s National Team match against Costa Rica on Tuesday. The audience could see stars like Trinity Rodman perform skills or watch coach Emma Hayes direct the team in real-time as if they were sitting behind the bench.

The video occasionally glitched during the match. Sometimes, when the camera switched angles, a player would move from the right side of the screen to the left side, disorienting viewers. Otherwise, the experience was distinctive with many audience members puling out their cell phone cameras on first sight. 

“My favorite part is seeing our fans and seeing their expression of joy,” said Cosm head of venues, Corey Breton. “I am almost in utter disbelief when they walk onto the floor of the dome and immediately look up at the cap. 

"They are completely encapsulated in it."

Cosm offers ticket prices at lower price points than the stadiums they are showing. For example, average prices were in the thousands to see the Copa America final, while a seat at Cosm was a fraction of that.

“Our average price was $35 for that and you felt as if you were in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami because of the atmosphere that we created, the food we served and the beverages that were poured,” Breton said.

"That is a perfect encapsulation of what we set out to do.”

Cosm also wants to elevate the fan experience through customer service and views. The venue features seven bars and a menu with sophisticated items such as a Double Wagyu Smashburger, Chopped BLT Wedge Salad and Korean Corn Cheese Nachos.

If fans want a break from The Dome, they can hang out in other spaces.

The first floor, The Hall, resembles an elevated sports bar but features a 150 x 15-foot screen. Partnerships do not restrict the area so Cosm can brand it according to the day’s action. 

“Partnerships should be additive to the fan experience,” Breton said. “Fans are at the core of what we do. 

"They are our center point. They're our North Star. We use that as our filter for decision making.”

The third floor, The Deck, features a bar and comfortable seating. It offers a break from the technology with views of the surrounding stadiums and sights of the sunset in the evening. This space can also be used for private events. 

Cosm opened June 29 and Breton said his group is constantly trying to improve the experience. 

“Our goal and role is to put you in a position where you leave here and you're like, ‘you have to go see Cosm,’” Breton said. “That's what we're trying to do with our hospitality. We know the technology will wow. 

"We treat every individual that comes through those doors, whether we have 500 fans or 1,000 fans, as individuals because we can create an experience and curate that for that specific person.”

Cosm eventually wants to bring gameday snacks that are unique to specific venues. For example, if they are showing a Dodgers game, they would like to have their spin on a Dodger Dog on the menu. 

These types of partnerships are still in the works.

“We feel like there's a chance for us to tap into that nostalgia," Breton said, "and that's a huge piece of what we feel like it's talking about, like memorable experiences with sports.

“Typically, you can go back to a moment in time and while you're at Dodger Stadium and have a Dodger Dog, we want to create our version of the Dodger Dog if we were to have a Dodgers game here.”

The experience only partially replicates an in-stadium feel but is an intriguing alternative. It allows fans to experience games from across the world distinctively while enjoying similar joys to being in a stadium.