The opening of the $2.6 billion stadium that will house the Rams and Chargers in Inglewood has been delayed by one year, due in part to unusually heavy winter rainfall, officials announced on Thursday.
The stadium is now scheduled to be open for the 2020 NFL season.
"Despite bringing drought relief to the region, the rain fell during the mass excavation period of construction when no other work could proceed in wet conditions,'' according to a statement issued by the Rams. "As a result, we experienced significant delays and lost the better part of two months from early January into the beginning of March.''
A groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held in November, and crews have already excavated an estimated 6 million cubic yards of dirt.
According to the Rams and Chargers, moving back the opening date to 2020 will provide "additional flexibility'' to accommodate any additional delays.
As a result of the delay, the Rams will continue playing at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Chargers will remain at the StubHub Center in Carson through the 2019 NFL season.
