The Overview

If you've noticed more giant LED screens going up around California's arenas, a new state law is about to change the rules for them. Starting January 1, 2028, advertising displays on arena premises that meet the conditions of SB 1228 would be exempt from most provisions of California's Outdoor Advertising Act. California's Advertising displays: exemptions: arenas and redevelopment agency projects, SB 1228 became law when Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed it Sept. 27. ​

Digital billboards in Inglewood have divided residents and contributed to a legal dispute between the city and owners of SoFi Stadium and other venues, LAist reported. The Los Angeles Times described the signs as ranging from street-level displays to large LED screens, part of a broader struggle over advertising revenue. The new exemption takes effect Jan. 1, 2028, and arenas must have local authorization in place by Jan. 1, 2032.

What the Law Does

California's Outdoor Advertising Act already exempted arena signs that advertise products sold or promoted on the premises, provided local government authorized them by Jan. 1, 2021. The law adds a new exemption for arenas fully constructed or under construction by Jan. 1, 2027, covering displays authorized by local ordinance or discretionary approval by Jan. 1, 2032.

Each arena may have no more than two advertising displays total across both exemptions, and displays at one arena must sit at least 5,000 feet from displays authorized for another. Before any display goes up, the Department of Transportation or the Federal Highway Administration must confirm it will not reduce federal highway aid or conflict with federal law. The law also exempts certain advertising displays within redevelopment agency project boundaries from freeway-adjacent prohibitions, but those displays must stay in substantially the same location and configuration as they existed on Dec. 31, 2025, and cannot be expanded, relocated, or modified to add display faces.

Legislative Status

Sen. Susan Rubio is the bill's lead author, and Smallwood-Cuevas and Strickland are listed as coauthors. Across three recorded votes, the bill drew 70 yes votes and zero no votes: the Senate Transportation Committee passed it 12-0 on April 14, the full Senate passed it 38-0 on May 18, and the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee passed it 20-0 on June 24.

AEG representative Kristy Wiese spoke in support at the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee hearing, according to Sidekick News. The Inglewood Coalition urged Newsom to veto the bill in a Sept. 14 press release that said it benefits stadium owners and raised concerns about federal highway funds, and Newsom signed it 13 days later. angeles

Rubio described the law as giving cities and advertisers a clear framework for outdoor advertising displays, according to a Senate District 22 announcement.

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