Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Toyota Field 5106 David Edwards Dr San Antonio, TX 78233
Year Opened: 2013
Capacity: 8,000
San Antonio FC – Toyota Field
Toyota Field was built as a soccer-specific stadium for the then San Antonio Scorpions of the North American Soccer League (NASL). It was the first facility of its kind built in the area and was an immediate hit with the community. In 2015, the field was taken over by Spurs Sports & Entertainment, owners of the San Antonio Spurs, and the field became the new home of San Antonio FC of the United Soccer League (USL).
In the past half dozen-plus seasons, San Antonio FC has reached the playoffs a handful of times, including a trip to the Conference Finals in 2021. The team has been fully embraced by the community and consistently reaches near sell outs at Toyota Field most games each season. Read on to learn what makes Toyota Field such a draw for soccer fans in S.A.
Food & Beverage 4
The food and beverage scene at Toyota Field is really exceptional. Celebrity chef Johnny Hernandez has opened outposts of two of his celebrated restaurants, La Gloria and Burgerteca, at Toyota Field. While he opened similar branches at the AT&T Center, the stands at Toyota Field have even more pared down menus. For example, the Burgerteca stand, which normally specializes in Mexican-inspired burgers, only serves Tex-Mex nachos ($10.49). Both of these are on the upper concourse level of the stadium.
On the ground level, there also additional food vendors and food trucks. Some highlights include LA Fresh, a fruit cup and shaved ice vendor. This is traditionally one of the most popular vendors in the stadium (they also have another location on the upper concourse), selling numerous flavors of their signature shaved ice ($8), fruit cups ($8), aguas frescas ($6), and corn cups ($6).
You can also get all your other traditional game day favorites, including pizza by the slice, hot dogs, and barbecue. You can also stop by the bar underneath the scoreboard and purchase a full assortment of alcohol.
Atmosphere 3
Like most soccer stadiums, Toyota Field’s true draw is its atmosphere. The large San Antonio FC flag near the main entrance, the scoreboard (and subsequent bar), and the oversized shield logo are all great spots throughout the stadium that have proven to be great photo ops for fans since day one, and are very popular on game day.
Another unique spot adding to the atmosphere is the Bud Light Bunker, the home base for San Antonio FC’s supporter clubs (more on them in the Fans section). The energy from this section is infectious and is what fans expect from a soccer match.
There is also a team store on the concourse above the bunker where fans can purchase all their San Antonio FC merchandise.
Neighborhood 3
Toyota Field is located on the northeast side of San Antonio, which is about a 20 to 25-minute drive from the city’s vibrant downtown area. It is adjacent to one of the city’s most unique attractions, Morgan’s Wonderland. This one-of-a-kind theme park was built by a local philanthropist with the goal of making it completely accessible to people of all abilities.
The venue is also near two other sports complexes, the South Texas Area Regional (S.T.A.R.) Regional Soccer Complex and Heroes Stadium. Both are state-of-the-art facilities for amateur sports, and both are within walking distance of Toyota Field.
When looking for dining and lodging options, you might need to venture a little farther away from the stadium to find something beyond traditional fast food and motels. Luckily, the stadium is near a major highway that can take you to any part of the city.
Fans 4
Since day one, Toyota Field has been a big draw for the area’s rabid soccer base. San Antonio FC has drawn between 6,000 and 7,000 fans on average per game (except during the pandemic-ravaged 2020 season), often during the hottest months on the calendar where the temperature is well over 100 degrees.
A good part of the energy from the fan base is due to the support groups (as mentioned above in the Atmosphere section). The main groups are The Crocketeers, the 210 Alliance, and Mission City Firm 118.
Prospective fans must request permission to join these clubs and once they join, they must pledge pretty much their undying loyalty to the club. As part of their fandom the groups chant, sing, and play instruments throughout the game. They bring an energy that is palpable throughout the stadium. After every goal, they fire off clouds of red and white smoke. The fans really are one of the best parts of the game experience.
Access 4
As mentioned earlier in the review, Toyota Field is right off a major highway, Interstate 35. Not only does I-35 run the length of the city, but it runs north all the way (if you were inclined to make the drive) to Austin, Waco, and the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
The stadium is also a 16-minute drive from downtown San Antonio, home of the city’s most-celebrated attractions, and is also a 16-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport. Once onsite, there are three lots surrounding the stadium with parking starting at $10.
For those not interested in driving to the game, San Antonio’s public transportation option, the VIA bus line has a route that makes a stop near the stadium. Ridesharing is also available and there are drop-off locations at Toyota Field.
Return on Investment 3
Single-game tickets for San Antonio FC games start at $13 per person. For fútbol crazed fans, this is a true bargain. The club has been very good of late, and in addition to their typical USL schedule, they also play exhibitions against some of their “rival” MLS teams. There are also friendlies against teams from south of the border, which also add to the energy of the crowds.
When you couple the importance of the games with low-cost tickets and the low cost for parking, that makes up for the sometimes higher than average concessions fees. Regardless, you won’t have to break the bank to see some great soccer at Toyota Field.
Extras 2
While the team has done a lot to build up the atmosphere and make it a fun experience for fans, there isn’t much in the way of Extras at Toyota Field. There is a 50/50 raffle, where fans can take home half the prize on the night with the other half going to a local charity. The team also fires off fireworks after Friday night games. There are also promotional nights throughout the season, such as Fan Appreciation Night and $2 Hot Dog Night.
Final Thoughts
In recent years there have been a lot more soccer-specific stadiums built across the country. Toyota Field feels like it is at the forefront of these types of facilities. It has tremendous sightlines, it has great acoustics, it is easy to get to and to leave from, and the concessions are everything you could possibly want.
The club and the city aspired to one day host an MLS franchise, and it shows in all the work that was put into the stadium. If you are a fan of the sport, you definitely should add Toyota Field to your bucket list of must-visit places. One last recommendation though – come earlier in the year before the temperature starts to heat up.
Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.
Comentários