Full Breakdown
USC’s Sparse Coliseum Crowd Sparks Debate Over Lincoln Riley’s Future
9/1/2026, 6:09:39 AM
USC’s Week 0 Attendance Shortfall
On the opening Saturday of the 2026 college-football season, the USC Trojans hosted San Jose State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The announced attendance was 51,144, the lowest figure of the Lincoln Riley era and the smallest announced crowd since 2018. Television footage showed large sections of the 77,500-seat venue nearly empty, turning the 42-26 victory into a secondary story.
Factors Contributing to Low Turnout
The noon kickoff coincided with a heatwave that pushed temperatures into the mid-90s with a heat index above 100 °F. Los Angeles traffic, limited parking (about $60 per space a mile from the stadium), and long security lines were also cited as deterrents. San Jose State, a Mountain West opponent, was perceived as a low-draw opponent for a program that has struggled to meet playoff expectations in recent seasons.
Attendance Figures and Comparisons
- Announced crowd: 51,144.
- Independent estimates suggested the actual number may have been around 20,000.
- In 2009, USC recorded 84,325 fans for a season-opening game against the same opponent.
- Average attendance for USC home games last season was 67,782, with the Coliseum reaching capacity only eight times during the Riley era.
These numbers illustrate a sharp decline from historic highs and from the program’s recent averages.
Criticism from Media Figures
Commentary from national outlets framed the attendance as a symptom of deeper program issues. Matt Hayes contrasted the current crowd with the 2009 figure, implying that the program’s relevance has waned. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy called the opening crowd “an absolute disgrace,” arguing that such an environment undermines USC’s tier-one status.
On-the-Ground Observations
Reporters noted that the student section in the northeast corner filled gradually after kickoff, while most upper-level bleachers remained largely vacant. Fans cited the extreme heat and the perceived lack of a marquee opponent as primary reasons for staying home. Social-media users posted images of empty metal bleachers, reinforcing the narrative of a “mausoleum-like” atmosphere.
Conflicting Attendance Reports & Gaps
The university’s announced figure (51,144) differs markedly from independent visual estimates (?20,000). No definitive third-party audit of turnstile counts was provided, leaving the true attendance figure unresolved. While the university attributed low turnout to weather and scheduling, critics emphasized longer-term fan disengagement without presenting quantitative surveys.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Meanwhile, back in the real world when USC was relevant and successful — you know, like a top-three program in all of college football should be — the Trojans had 84,325 fans for the season opener in 2009 against San Jose State. At 12:30 p.m., with weather in the 90s,” — Matt Hayes
- “The crowd for the USC opener was an absolute disgrace. You can’t consider them a tier one college football program if that’s how you open the season,” — Dave Portnoy
What’s Next
USC’s schedule includes night-time games against Fresno State, Oregon, Washington, and Ohio State later in the season. The university expects these higher-profile matchups, combined with more favorable kickoff times, to boost attendance and demonstrate the “electric” atmosphere it claims is essential for competitive success.
