A pyrotechnic malfunction at BMO Stadium on Friday night sent fireworks flying into the stands during a post-match celebration following Angel City FC’s 2-0 victory over the Orlando Pride. No serious injuries were reported, and the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed they did not treat any spectators at the scene.
A Malfunction During “LA Sports Night”
The incident occurred late Friday night as part of a scheduled “LA Sports Night” celebration, which followed the NWSL club’s return from a month-long break. According to NBC Los Angeles, the event featured appearances from mascots representing other local teams, including Bailey from the LA Kings and Sparky from the LA Sparks.
As the stadium played a remix of Kanye West’s “All of the Lights,” the pyrotechnic display—launched from the center circle of the grass field—began to deviate from its intended path. While the show initially produced a thick haze of smoke, the situation escalated when several projectiles began firing horizontally rather than vertically, ricocheting off the pitch and into the occupied seating areas. The match itself had concluded with a 2-0 victory for Angel City, a significant result that moved the club up in the NWSL standings during a highly competitive mid-season stretch. The win provided a momentum boost for the team, which has been fighting for a playoff position in a crowded Western Conference table.
Fan Accounts of the Mid-Show Chaos
Spectators inside the stadium described a scene of sudden confusion as the pyrotechnics veered toward the crowd. The Los Angeles Times reported that season ticket-holder Jade Greenhut recorded the display from her club seat. In the footage, a woman can be heard shouting “Oh my god!” as fireworks launched in the direction of the Angel City team bench and into nearby stands. Another voice captured on the recording exclaimed, “Everybody’s running!”
Despite the potential for disaster, reports indicate that the impact was mitigated by stadium logistics. Greenhut noted that many fans had departed the venue during the 20-minute gap between the match’s conclusion and the start of the fireworks, leaving the stands relatively thin. BMO Stadium, located in Exposition Park, frequently hosts high-capacity events, and the safety protocols typically involve a clear perimeter around the field during pyrotechnic displays. The fact that the display originated from the center of the pitch meant that the horizontal trajectory of the malfunctioning units placed them on a direct path toward the lower bowl seating sections, an area that is usually the most densely populated during the closing moments of a match.
For more on this story, see Angel City FC Fireworks Malfunction at BMO Stadium Causes Fan Evacuations.
Club Response and Ongoing Investigation
Angel City FC has confirmed that a third-party vendor was responsible for the pyrotechnics display. Stephanie Rudnick, the club’s head of communications, stated, “A third party vendor was hired to facilitate the pyrotechnics.” In an official statement provided to The Athletic, the club addressed the malfunction:
“A fireworks malfunction did occur during last night’s post-match celebration at Angel City FC’s game vs. Orlando at BMO Stadium. Our medical and safety teams were on site and ready to respond. Stadium operations confirmed the venue was secure and guests, staff, players, and crew were able to depart safely.”
— Stephanie Rudnick, Angel City Football Club
The club is currently evaluating its next steps. According to CBS News, team officials are working directly with the pyrotechnics vendor to review the incident and have indicated they are “monitoring the situation very closely.” As of Saturday, the organization reported no knowledge of any serious injuries resulting from the wayward projectiles, and the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed they were not called to treat any victims at BMO Stadium.
Operational Context and Safety Oversight
The use of pyrotechnics in professional sports venues is subject to strict municipal and fire code regulations. Typically, venues like BMO Stadium require a permit from the local fire marshal for any pyrotechnic display, which includes a site survey, a demonstration of the equipment, and the presence of dedicated fire watch personnel during the event. The investigation into the malfunction will likely focus on whether the equipment failure was due to a mechanical defect in the firing system, improper setup of the launch angles, or a failure to account for wind conditions within the stadium bowl.
For Angel City FC, the incident comes at a critical juncture in their season. With the victory over Orlando, the team continues to integrate returning players back into their starting XI following the month-long break. The club, which maintains one of the highest average attendances in the NWSL, relies on post-match activations to engage its fan base, making the safety of these celebrations a high priority for front-office operations. The league office often reviews safety protocols following any incident that impacts the fan experience, and the club’s cooperation with the pyrotechnics vendor is a standard procedure to determine if the vendor remains in compliance with their contractual safety obligations and league standards for live event production.
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