Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71
Snapdragon Stadium 2101 Stadium Wy
San Diego, CA 92108
Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 35,000
Make Waves
The San Diego Wave FC joined the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) and began play in 2022. They won the NWSL Shield in 2023 and the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2024.
San Diego Wave FC Banner, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
They play their home matches at Snapdragon Stadium, a new (2022) multipurpose venue that serves as the home for many San Diego sports teams, concerts, and other festivals and events.
Crews built the stadium on the old Jack Murphy Stadium / Qualcomm Stadium site. Snapdragon Stadium is located at SDSU Mission Valley. The university leaders guided the stadium’s design and overall development.
Food & Beverage 4
Snapdragon Stadium has plenty of food and beer choices at higher-than-average prices.
It has Hodad’s (regional burger restaurant with delicious hamburgers), Gaglione Brothers (specialty sandwiches), Best Pizza and Brew (pizza and salads), Ultra Classics (hot dogs, pretzels, nachos), Cali BBQ, The Taco Stand (yummy looking tacos and burritos), Cardiff Tri-Tip (tri-tip sandwiches and nachos), and more.
Other kiosks line the concourse selling treats and snacks. The northeast corner has several food trucks selling ice cream, sausages and brats, and all kinds of traditional stadium fare.
The concourse hosts seven local brew stations, each representing a different San Diego brewery. The stadium also has six bars placed throughout the concourse. Beers cost a hefty $14 - $16; Pepsi products run $7 - $9.
Vendors roam the stands selling lemonade, water, popcorn, kettle corn, etc.
The venue has plenty of tables, chairs, and benches on the concourse for fans to sit and enjoy their beverages instead of bringing them to their seats.
Atmosphere 4
Watching a San Diego FC Wave game at Snapdragon Stadium is an enjoyable afternoon or evening out. The stadium is new and comfortable, and the game day experience is entertaining.
The stadium has three levels of seating on one side, two on the other, and seats behind each goalpost. The seats don’t look it, but they’re surprisingly comfortable. Where you sit depends on how much you want to spend or how many steps you want to climb. All seats have a clear view of the pitch. I sat behind one of the goals ($20) and had a perfect view of the entire pitch and stadium. The venue has minimal shade for afternoon games. Bring sunscreen.
Snapdragon Stadium has two video boards in opposite corners showing the game, the score, and replays. It also has closed captioning on each end of the sideline ribbon boards detailing goals, substitutions, and announcements. Nicely done. TVs are mounted on the bottom of the grandstands so fans walking the concourse can still catch the game action.
Closed Captioning at Snapdragon Stadium, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
The PA announcements are made in both English and Spanish. The music volume is perfect. They play lots of Taylor Swift songs.
The San Diego Wave has a decent-sized merchandise shop near the southeast entrance with several satellite booths along the concourse.
Neighborhood 3
A parking lot surrounds Snapdragon Stadium, so there’s not much to see and do within walking distance.
Chain restaurants within 2-3 miles of the venue include Yard House, BJ’s, Lazy Dog, and Wood Ranch.
But why go with chain restaurants when all of San Diego is just trolley stops away? Head down to the Gaslamp Quarter for a Padres game and a plethora of dining and drinking establishments. Or stop off the Green Line at the County Center/Little Italy Station and savor one of that district’s mouthwatering restaurants (Buon Appetito Restaurant is a favorite).
The Green Line also takes fans to Old Town San Diego, a historic neighborhood with museums, shopping, restaurants, and hotels. Two other well-known tourist attractions in San Diego are the San Diego Zoo and San Diego SeaWorld.
No hotels are within walking distance of Snapdragon Stadium, but the city has plenty to offer, many along I-8, three-five miles away from the stadium. Or investigate renting an Airbnb for something a little more local.
San Diego hosts several other sporting events during the NWSL season: San Diego Padres MLB (baseball), San Diego Gulls AHL (hockey), San Diego Legion MLR (rugby), San Diego Royal USLC (soccer), and San Diego State University football and baseball.
Fans 3
Plenty of fans tailgate. The parking lots are set up well for tailgating with large dumpsters and porta potties. The supporters group, the Sirens, sit behind one goal (known as The Cove) and cheer on the Wave FC with drums and chanting.
Attendance is strong, ranging from 25,000 to over 30,000 fans per match. Many fans wear the colorful jerseys of the San Diego Wave FC.
The fans and staff welcome all visitors to a Wave FC match.
Access 4
Getting to and moving around Snapdragon Stadium is easy, though the concourse gets mobbed at half-time.
The best way to get to the stadium is to take the MTS San Diego Trolley. Take the Green Line to the Stadium Station, and the venue is right there. MTS provides additional trains after the matches.
For those driving, parking is $32. The venue is close to I-8, I-15, and I-805. It is 10 miles northeast of the San Diego Airport. Uber and Lyft services are readily available with a designated drop-off/pick-up area near Gate 1 (northeast side of the stadium).
The stadium has benches near the ticket office for fans to wait for their late-arriving friends and family.
The security check is thorough. Your best bet is to pack your stuff in a 12” x 6” x 12” clear sports bag or a 4.5” x 6.5” purse. Expect to open any wallets or zipped containers you pack and to prove your water bottle is empty. Gates open one hour before kickoff.
Restrooms are plentiful and clean, with baby changing tables in all. The venue provides eight gender-neutral family restrooms.
Return on Investment 4
Ticket prices range from $20 to $350 (field level). Concession prices are high. Parking costs are high.
For an affordable, enjoyable game day, buy a $20 ticket and take the trolley. Bring a sealed bottle of water or an empty water bottle. The stadium has rehydration stations for fans to fill up their water bottles. Eat before or after attending a game.
San Diego Wave FC offers theme nights and giveaways such as Kids Free Day, Latino Heritage Night, Pride Night, Military Appreciation Night, and more. Take advantage of visiting one of these themed games.
.
Extras 4
A few items are worth mentioning again. The rehydration stations come in handy, especially at afternoon games. The venue has lockers for rent outside of Snapdragon Stadium if you’re coming directly from the airport or your bag doesn’t meet the bag policy rules.
We give an additional accolade to the venue for providing closed captioning for those soccer fans unable to hear. The concourse has a row of seats from Jack Murphy Stadium. The stadium offers tours of its facility, but even those are pricey ($30).
Seats from former Jack Murphy Stadium, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Final Thoughts
Snapdragon Stadium is a sparkling new facility that hosts plenty of sporting and non-sporting events. Watching a San Diego Wave FC match at the venue is a pleasurable, though costly, experience. Take public transportation, purchase the lower-priced seats, and spend a few hours enjoying women’s soccer.
San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Comments