StubHub Center

StubHub Center
Sander Valdre · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	StubHub Center
Location	Carson, California, United States
Broke ground	2001
Opened	June 2003
Owner	California State University, Dominguez Hills
Operator	AEG
Surface	Grass
Construction cost	$150 million
Architect	Rossetti Architects
Former names	Home Depot Center (2003–2013)
Seating capacity	Soccer: 27,000, Football: 25,000, Tennis: 13,000, Track & Field: 20,000
Tenants	LA Galaxy (MLS) (2003–present), Los Angeles Chargers (NFL) (2017–2019), Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL) (2020)

StubHub Center is a multi-purpose sports and athletic facility located on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California. Opened in 2003, the complex is owned by the university and operated by the global entertainment giant AEG. It is best known as the long-time home of the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer and served as the temporary stadium for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League from 2017 to 2019. The venue has hosted a wide array of events, from international soccer matches and tennis tournaments to major track and field competitions and concerts.

History

The facility was conceived in the late 1990s as part of a broader effort to establish a premier soccer-specific stadium in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Construction began in 2001 on land leased from California State University, Dominguez Hills, with the project spearheaded by Philip Anschutz through his company AEG. It opened in June 2003 as the Home Depot Center, named for the corporate sponsorship from the home improvement retailer The Home Depot. The complex was immediately hailed as a model for modern soccer facilities in North America and became the anchor for the LA Galaxy, helping to solidify the club's identity. In 2013, the naming rights were acquired by the ticket marketplace StubHub, leading to its current designation.

Facilities

The main stadium features a natural grass playing surface and a seating capacity of approximately 27,000 for soccer, with configurations adjustable for American football, track and field, and other events. The broader athletic complex includes the VELO Sports Center, a state-of-the-art indoor velodrome that has hosted events for the UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Adjacent to the stadium is the Dignity Health Sports Park tennis stadium, a 13,000-seat venue that was the former home of the WTA Tour's LA Women's Tennis Championships. The site also encompasses numerous training fields, including those used by the United States men's national soccer team and the United States women's national soccer team, as well as facilities for lacrosse and rugby union.

Events

The venue has been a hub for major sporting events since its inauguration. It has hosted the MLS Cup on multiple occasions, including the 2011, 2012, and 2014 finals. In international soccer, it has been the site for matches during the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and friendly matches featuring global clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The stadium served as the home for the Los Angeles Chargers during their relocation from San Diego until the completion of SoFi Stadium. It has also held significant track and field meets, including the adidas Grand Prix and events for the USA Track & Field organization. The tennis stadium hosted the WTA Tour for years and was the venue for the Davis Cup tie between the United States Davis Cup team and Great Britain Davis Cup team in 2018.

Naming rights

The original naming rights were secured by The Home Depot in a landmark deal, branding the venue as the Home Depot Center for its first decade. In 2013, a new agreement was reached with the online ticket exchange StubHub, a subsidiary of eBay. This deal was notable as one of the first major stadium naming rights agreements for a digital marketplace company. The financial terms of the partnership with StubHub were not publicly disclosed but were reported to be a long-term arrangement. The naming rights are a key revenue stream for the facility's operator, AEG, and reflect the commercial evolution of sports venues in the 21st century.

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 Los Angeles Metro Bus system, with connections to the Los Angeles Metro Rail's Green Line at the Del Amo station. The proximity to Los Angeles International Airport makes it accessible for international events and traveling fans. Parking is provided in several large lots on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills, with traffic management handled for major events by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the California Highway Patrol.

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