USC football crowd is empty in Week 0 season opener. Why?
USA Today • • sports
Key Points:
- No. 14 Southern California began its 2026 football season in Week 0 with a game against San Jose State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
- Extreme heat and high humidity, with temperatures reaching 94 degrees and a real feel of 104 degrees, led to a sparse crowd as the U.S. National Weather Service issued an extreme heat advisory for the region.
- The lack of shade in the stadium and the low-profile opponent contributed to low attendance, particularly on the west side of the stadium.
- The crowd gradually increased after kickoff, with the student section filling in noticeably, creating a more typical atmosphere in that area.
