Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour finally arrives at SoFi Stadium

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- The long-awaited Taylor Swift mini-residency at SoFi Stadium finally kicked off Thursday, with thousands of fans descending on Inglewood.

Before the Eras Tour shows even began, a pre-event merchandise sale attracted thousands of fans to the stadium on Wednesday. Swifties braved an hourslong wait for the chance to buy T-shirts, sweatshirts and other tour memorabilia.

Throngs of fans lined up by the thousands the past two nights, most of them hoping to get the "exclusive" blue Eras Tour crewneck sweatshirt - which is only available for purchase at the merchandise truck. They were also limited to two sweatshirts per customer.

Ahead of Taylor Swift's concert series at SoFi Stadium, throngs of fans lined up overnight in anticipation of a merchandise sale in Inglewood.

Sam Garay and her co-worker, Cindy Davila, arrived at 1 a.m. Thursday from Orange County. It was Garay's third attempt to get the coveted sweatshirt.

"I think it went viral after the first weekend in Arizona and everyone just wants to get their hands on it," she said. "I tried in Vegas in April and by the time I got to the front they were sold out of it. I tried again yesterday and the line was so long."

There will be another merchandise sale from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Lake Park adjacent to SoFi Stadium. Sunday is an off day in Swift's six-night schedule at SoFi.

Thursday was her opening night at the stadium, with additional performances set for Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

With excitement and anticipating running high ahead of Swift's first night in L.A., Garay had this advice for fans: "Stay hydrated, wear comfy shoes and don't be afraid to take a break and sit down or go use the restroom."

A tweet from SoFi Stadium has Taylor Swift fans speculating that "1989: Taylor's Version" will be announced during one of her Los Angeles shows.

Stadium officials reminded the public that people who don't have tickets shouldn't bother coming to the venue, thinking they can listen to the music by standing nearby or just hoping to soak up the atmosphere.

According to the stadium's website, nobody will be permitted to remain in the parking lots or outside the stadium once the show has started, and only ticketed guests will be given access to the venue.

After she wraps up her six-night stay in Los Angeles, she will then take her tour international, beginning with a show in Mexico City on Aug. 24.

And on Thursday she announced new tour dates with a return to the U.S. next year.

City News Service contributed to this report.