Snapdragon Stadium is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue located in San Diego, California, on the campus of San Diego State University (SDSU) in Mission Valley. Officially opened in August 2022, the stadium serves as the home ground for the SDSU Aztecs football team (Mountain West Conference), San Diego Wave FC (National Women’s Soccer League), and San Diego FC (Major League Soccer), establishing itself as a central hub for sporting events in the region.
Originally known as Aztec Stadium during its planning and early construction stages, Snapdragon Stadium was developed following the departure of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers in 2017. With SDCCU Stadium slated for demolition, SDSU put forward a proposal for a right-sized, modern stadium that would better suit collegiate and local needs. The proposal competed with a private initiative, SoccerCity, but voters approved SDSU’s Mission Valley redevelopment plan in 2018.
Construction began on August 17, 2020, shortly after SDSU officially acquired the 135-acre site from the City of San Diego for $88 million. The venue is part of the $3.5 billion SDSU Mission Valley project, which includes academic buildings, housing, retail and office space, and an extensive 80-acre park system, including a 34-acre river park.
The stadium has a standard seating capacity of 35,000 and was designed with flexibility in mind. It can be expanded to 55,000 seats to accommodate future needs, including the potential return of an NFL franchise to San Diego. The playing surface is named Bashor Field, following a $15 million donation from philanthropist Dianne L. Bashor.
Snapdragon Stadium is named after Qualcomm’s Snapdragon brand of processors, under a naming rights deal announced in December 2021. Qualcomm previously held naming rights to the original stadium from 1997 to 2017 and briefly rebranded it as Snapdragon Stadium in 2011.
The stadium was inaugurated with an SDSU football scrimmage on August 20, 2022, and the Aztecs played their first official game there on September 3, 2022, against the University of Arizona. Despite excitement around the opening, the match exposed issues with stadium shade and heat preparedness, as high temperatures led to numerous cases of heat-related illness among attendees.
Since opening, the stadium has quickly become a key venue for professional sports. San Diego Wave FC began playing there in September 2022, setting a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) attendance record with over 32,000 fans during their debut match against Angel City FC. In March 2025, San Diego FC played its inaugural MLS home match at the stadium in front of 34,506 spectators, the largest crowd to date at the venue.
Snapdragon Stadium has also hosted international football friendlies, including matches featuring Mexico, the United States, Brazil, and Canada, and major tournaments such as the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, 2024 W Gold Cup, and the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. The stadium was also the site of the 2023 NWSL Championship Final.
Beyond football and soccer, the stadium accommodates other sports. It served as the main venue for the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship, hosted the first-ever outdoor National Lacrosse League (NLL) game—the Stadium Showdown—and is among the venues being considered for matches during the 2031 Men’s and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cups. San Diego Seals (NLL) and San Diego Legion (MLR) have also played at the stadium, although the Legion later returned to Torero Stadium for regular play.
In addition to sports, Snapdragon Stadium regularly hosts concerts and entertainment events, with artists like Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jimmy Buffett, P!nk, and Shakira performing to tens of thousands of fans. Thrive Park, the outdoor area surrounding the stadium, is used for festivals like the Holo Holo Music Festival and ISOKnock.
The venue is also set to host the Holiday Bowl, moving from its previous location at Petco Park, solidifying its role as a year-round destination for major events.
The history of Snapdragon Stadium begins in response to a significant shift in San Diego’s sports landscape. When the NFL’s San Diego Chargers announced their relocation to Los Angeles in January 2017, it marked the end of an era for the city’s existing SDCCU Stadium (originally San Diego Stadium), which had been home to SDSU football since 1967. The departure prompted a renewed focus on building a modern, right-sized stadium tailored to the needs of San Diego State University (SDSU) and the broader community.
Following the Chargers' exit, two major proposals emerged to redevelop the Mission Valley site. One was SDSU West, which centred around the development of a new stadium and expanded university facilities. The other, known as SoccerCity, aimed to convert the site into a privately funded sports and entertainment complex contingent on securing a Major League Soccer (MLS) team. Both proposals appeared on the November 2018 ballot, where voters overwhelmingly supported SDSU’s plan.
On June 30, 2020, the City of San Diego approved the sale of the SDCCU Stadium site to SDSU. The university officially took ownership on August 10, 2020, acquiring 135 acres for $88 million. Just one week later, on August 17, 2020, groundbreaking began on what was initially called Aztec Stadium.
As the stadium project progressed, SDSU received a $15 million donation from Dianne L. Bashor in December 2019, leading to the naming of the playing field as Bashor Field. In December 2021, San Diego-based Qualcomm acquired naming rights, and the stadium was officially named Snapdragon Stadium, in honour of its Snapdragon brand of processors. Qualcomm had previously held naming rights to the old stadium from 1997 to 2017.
The new stadium officially opened on August 20, 2022, with an SDSU football scrimmage, followed by its first official game on September 3, 2022, when SDSU played the University of Arizona. However, the opening game faced criticism due to extreme heat and inadequate shade, leading to multiple heat-related medical incidents and scrutiny of the stadium’s design and event planning protocols.
Despite early challenges, the stadium quickly became a key sporting venue. It welcomed San Diego Wave FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in September 2022, with the team setting a league-record attendance of 32,000 in their debut match. In 2023, Snapdragon Stadium hosted the first outdoor game in National Lacrosse League (NLL) history, known as the Stadium Showdown. The stadium also played a central role in the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship, hosting the opening and final matches.
In May 2023, San Diego was officially awarded the 30th MLS franchise, and the new club, San Diego FC, signed a 20-year lease to play at Snapdragon Stadium starting in 2025. Their inaugural home match on March 1, 2025, drew a record 34,506 spectators, the largest crowd in stadium history to date.
Over time, the stadium has expanded its role to include rugby, motorsports, concerts, and the Holiday Bowl, further establishing itself as a modern, multi-purpose venue. From a replacement for an ageing stadium to a central part of SDSU’s $3.5 billion Mission Valley redevelopment project, Snapdragon Stadium stands as a symbol of renewal and long-term investment in San Diego’s sporting and cultural future.
Snapdragon Stadium is designed as a modern, multi-purpose venue that balances functionality, sustainability, and fan experience. Located on the campus of San Diego State University (SDSU) in Mission Valley, the stadium forms the centrepiece of the larger SDSU Mission Valley development project, which spans 135 acres and includes housing, retail, academic, and park spaces. The structural design reflects the diverse needs of the region, with flexibility to host collegiate sports, professional leagues, concerts, and international events.
The stadium has a standard seating capacity of 35,000, making it ideal for college football and soccer while maintaining an intimate atmosphere. It is expandable to 55,000 seats, with existing plans and renderings in place for future capacity upgrades. This scalability allows the venue to potentially accommodate a future NFL team or larger-scale events. Seating is distributed across a main bowl, premium club levels, and private suites, offering a range of experiences from general admission to VIP hospitality.
At the heart of the stadium is Bashor Field, named after philanthropist Dianne L. Bashor, who donated $15 million toward the project. The playing surface is designed to accommodate multiple sports, including American football, soccer, rugby, and lacrosse. The field has appropriate dimensions and infrastructure for each, ensuring compliance with NCAA, MLS, and international standards.
The architectural design of Snapdragon Stadium is open-air, using a horseshoe-shaped configuration to maintain an unobstructed view of the surrounding San Diego hills. The structure incorporates contemporary materials, with exposed steel elements and natural finishes that reflect the local climate and aesthetic. The design prioritises natural airflow and sunlight, though the absence of full shading has been a point of feedback, especially during high-temperature events.
The stadium features a variety of premium seating options, including:
These spaces are equipped with upscale furnishings, catering services, and exclusive access points. The premium areas are positioned for optimal views and convenience, enhancing the experience for corporate partners and high-end ticket holders.
Snapdragon Stadium is designed with full ADA compliance, including elevators, ramps, accessible seating, and restrooms. The venue also provides modern digital infrastructure, with high-speed Wi-Fi, video boards, LED ribbon displays, and advanced sound systems integrated throughout.
Transportation access is supported by the adjacent San Diego Trolley Green Line, extensive on-site parking, and pedestrian paths linking the stadium to surrounding developments. Entry and exit points are configured to support efficient crowd flow for large events.
Sustainability is a core principle in the stadium’s construction. The structure was built using LEED-aligned practices, including:
The larger Mission Valley plan includes green spaces, bike paths, and a 34-acre river park along the San Diego River, contributing to the environmental profile of the project.
Behind the scenes, Snapdragon Stadium houses locker rooms, training areas, press facilities, broadcast studios, and event operations centres. These are designed to meet the requirements of collegiate and professional teams, media organisations, and event staff.
Snapdragon Stadium serves as a versatile, multi-use venue designed to host a wide range of sporting, entertainment, and community events. Located on the campus of San Diego State University (SDSU), the stadium has quickly become a central hub for major activities in San Diego, accommodating both collegiate and professional audiences. Since its opening in 2022, the stadium has been used for the following purposes:
The stadium is the home of the SDSU Aztecs football team, a member of the Mountain West Conference. It replaced the former SDCCU Stadium, where the team had played since 1967. Designed specifically to suit college football requirements, the venue hosts regular-season games, scrimmages, and potential post-season matches, including the Holiday Bowl, which moved to Snapdragon Stadium in 2024.
Snapdragon Stadium hosts two high-profile professional football (soccer) teams:
Snapdragon Stadium supports international and domestic rugby union competitions. Key events include:
These events showcase the stadium’s flexibility to accommodate international rugby audiences and match standards.
The stadium is used for both collegiate and professional lacrosse:
Snapdragon Stadium and its surrounding Thrive Park area host large-scale music events and festivals. The stadium has welcomed performances by major artists such as:
Thrive Park has hosted events like the Re:SET Concert Series, Holo Holo Music Festival, and ISOKnock, drawing thousands of music fans to the venue throughout the year.
Since 2023, the stadium has hosted major motorsports events, including:
These events involve significant stadium modifications, including the installation of dirt tracks and jumps, demonstrating the facility’s adaptability.
Snapdragon Stadium has become a notable host of international football (soccer) competitions, including:
It has also hosted national teams such as Mexico, United States, Brazil, Canada, and Japan, drawing large international audiences.
As part of SDSU’s Mission Valley development, the stadium is available for:
Its location and integration with public transport make it a practical choice for large public gatherings beyond sport and music.
Becoming a leading global provider of digital solutions and services for the sports industry, enabling our clients to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
We aspire to be a trusted partner and advisor to our clients, leveraging our expertise and passion for sports to help them succeed in a rapidly changing market.
