A Fourth of July weekend celebration at Angel City FC’s home stadium took a frightening turn when a postgame fireworks display malfunctioned Friday night, sending pyrotechnics into the stands and causing panic among fans. The incident occurred shortly after Angel City defeated the Orlando Pride 2-0 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Instead of launching into the sky, multiple fireworks mortars allegedly fired sideways across the field and toward seating sections. One spectator described the event as terrifying, stating, "I saw several flames go into the crowd. It was terrifying!" Another fan reported being severely shaken hours later, with the father next to them diving to cover his children.
One firework reportedly shot toward a section where Angel City co-founder Julie Uhrman, team staff, and family guests were seated. Another stray firework allegedly struck a stadium security guard on the pitch. Despite the chaos, early reports indicated no major injuries were sustained.
Some fans noted ongoing concerns about the club's postgame fireworks. "I hate when we do them because they scare the crap out of my toddler. We try to sit in our seats late when we think they’ll have them now for this reason," one fan commented. Another spectator in section 117 reported that while people seemed physically unharmed, they were "really shook up," adding that a firework narrowly missed a security guard and struck an advertising board.
BMO Stadium is located in Exposition Park, adjacent to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the University of Southern California campus. The incident occurred as Angel City's victory improved their standing to 5-6-1 in the NWSL standings, approximately 40% through the 2026 season. The club is recognized as the league's largest commercial success, leading in attendance, sponsorship revenue, and merchandise sales.