The 2024 showdown between Garfield and Roosevelt will reach a new level. The National Football League‘s Los Angeles Rams have announced that the 89th annual East L.A. Classic will be played at SoFi Stadium on October 25th. The rivalry series will be presented by the LA Bowl and hosted by Gronk and the NFL team.
Roosevelt and Garfield began playing in 1925. The game, which serves as homecoming for both East Los Angeles schools, annually draws between 20,000 and 25,000 fans.
Because of the crowd size, the game’s usual venue is Weingart Stadium on the campus of East Los Angeles College. While the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum hosted the backyard brawl in 2022, this will be the first time that the game will be played in an NFL stadium.
“We are excited to announce that one of Los Angeles Unified’s most iconic matchups will debut at SoFi Stadium this year,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “For 89 years, the East L.A. Classic has been a cornerstone of unity; bringing alumni, employees, students, and community members to the game. There is a palpable excitement in the air as we eagerly await to see who will claim the trophy and earn bragging rights this school year. Go teams!”
“We are thrilled to see this iconic football showdown kick-off in a stadium that is as grandiose as the school rivalry itself,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “These games exemplify the values of tradition, teamwork, and friendly competition, and having the East LA Classic at SoFi Stadium will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the teams, their fans, and our school communities.”
“LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk is dedicated to supporting and uplifting the community,” Adolfo Romero, Executive Director for LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk said. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the culture surrounding the historic East L.A. Classic while highlighting the local athletes of James A. Garfield High School and Theodore Roosevelt High School in our world-class stadium.”
For a second year in a row, both schools’ Girls Flag Football teams will compete before the East L.A. Classic kick-off. Last year, in an epic battle, the Rough Riders triumphed in the first-ever Girls’ Flag Football game, clinching a historic overtime victory.
“The Los Angeles Rams are grateful to be a part of bringing the historic East LA Classic matchup to SoFi Stadium,” said Los Angeles Rams senior director of social justice and football development Johnathan Franklin. “As an alumnus of LAUSD, I’m thrilled to see the Classic grow as we invite high school athletes to play on the same field as professionals. We’re excited to include girls flag football as we continue to grow the legacy of one of the most iconic high school games in the nation.”
“In 2022, over 30,000 fans enjoyed a thrilling game and a spectacular halftime show at the Los Angeles Coliseum,” Theodore Roosevelt High School Principal Ben Gertner said. “Now this huge rivalry game is heading to SoFi Stadium, one of the premier sporting venues in the world, and we are highlighting our newest competition, Flag Football. Buy your tickets in advance and get to the game early to see the Flag Football Classic at 6:00 p.m. Whether you never miss a Classic or have never been, you are not going to want to miss this celebration of culture and tradition!”
“The storied tradition of the Classic will have a new historic chapter for 2024,” Math, Science, and Technology Magnet at Theodore Roosevelt High School Principal Patricia Hanson said. “I am already so proud of our Cheer, Drill, Marching Band, Mariachi and Leadership students for their work showing school and community pride. The Rough Rider athleticism, innovation, unity and talent of our mighty Flag Football and Football teams will be on full display October 25th. SoFi Stadium hosting the Super Bowl in 2022 was just the warm-up to the Classic. Don’t miss out. Get those tickets early and we’ll see you there.”
“I am looking forward to seeing East Los Angeles under one roof, battling for bragging rights,” James A. Garfield High School Principal Regina Martinez Marquez said. “What makes this game special is watching Girls Flag show the world what an adrenaline rush it is to watch them play.”
Both teams have won 41 games in the all-time series with six ties in 88 games.
