Home Depot Center

Home Depot Center. The Home Depot Center is a major sports complex located on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California. Opened in June 2003, it was developed as a cornerstone of the nation's premier soccer-specific stadiums and a versatile venue for track and field, tennis, and other events. The facility is owned by the university and operated by the global entertainment giant AEG, serving as the long-time home of Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy.

History

The stadium's development was spearheaded by Philip Anschutz through Anschutz Entertainment Group, with the goal of providing a dedicated home for the LA Galaxy and elevating soccer in the United States. Construction began in 2002 on land leased from California State University, Dominguez Hills, with the complex designed by the architectural firm Rossetti Architects. Its opening in 2003 coincided with a period of significant growth for Major League Soccer, providing a model for future soccer-specific stadiums like Toyota Park and Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The venue immediately hosted the 2003 MLS Cup, establishing its reputation as a premier destination for American soccer.

Facilities

The centerpiece of the complex is a 27,000-seat soccer stadium featuring a natural grass playing surface and expansive canopy roofs covering most seating areas. Adjacent to the main stadium is the Velodrome at Home Depot Center, a world-class indoor cycling track that hosted the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships. The facility also includes a separate tennis stadium with 8,000 permanent and 12,000 temporary seats, and a state-of-the-art track and field facility that is a regular training site for USA Track & Field athletes. These venues are supported by numerous training fields and the National Training Center for U.S. Soccer.

Major events

The venue has hosted a wide array of prestigious national and international competitions. In soccer, it has been the site of multiple MLS Cup finals, MLS All-Star Game events, and matches for the FIFA Women's World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup. The track and field stadium has held the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and events like the adidas Track Classic. The tennis stadium hosted the LA Women's Tennis Championships for many years, featuring stars like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. It also served as a venue for Rugby sevens during the 2015 World Rugby Sevens Series.

Naming rights

Upon its opening, the naming rights were secured in a multi-year agreement with the Fortune 500 company The Home Depot, reflecting a common practice in American sports venue sponsorship similar to deals for Staples Center and FedExField. This partnership lasted for over a decade, deeply associating the retailer's brand with Southern California soccer. In 2013, AEG announced a new naming rights agreement with StubHub, leading to the venue's renaming as StubHub Center. This change aligned with trends in the industry, as seen with venues like University of Phoenix Stadium and Smoothie King Center.

Transportation and access

The complex is situated near the intersection of the Interstate 405 and Interstate 110 freeways, providing direct access from much of Los Angeles County and Orange County. Public transportation is available via the Metro Rail's Green Line, with the Del Amo station located approximately one mile from the venue. The proximity to Dignity Health Sports Park and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum creates a concentrated hub for major sporting events in the region. Its location also offers convenient access for international travelers through Los Angeles International Airport and Long Beach Airport.

Category:Sports venues in Los Angeles County, California Category:Soccer venues in the United States Category:California State University, Dominguez Hills