Lancaster Municipal Stadium - AV Alta FC
- Meg Minard
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
Lancaster Municipal Stadium 45116 Valley Central Way
Lancaster, CA 93536
Year Opened: 1996 (as baseball), 2024 (as soccer) Capacity: 5,300
Antelope Valley Fútbol
Lancaster Municipal Stadium was a great little baseball ballpark when the Lancaster JetHawks were in the California League. Then in 2021, Major League Baseball completed a historic, major overhaul of the minor leagues, which eliminated 40 affiliates. The JetHawks were one of those eliminated.
In 2023, the city of Lancaster and USL League One approved plans to convert the baseball stadium into a soccer-specific venue to house the expansion team AV Alta FC. And, what a marvelous job they did! So now, instead of being a great little ballpark, it’s a fantastic soccer (fútbol) stadium for the fans, players, and the community.
The name AV Alta FC is derived from the region's nickname, aerospace history, and geographical elevation:
AV: Stands for the Antelope Valley, the region in Southern California where the team is based.
Alta: From the Latin word for "elevated", represents three things: the region's location in the High Desert, its deep roots in the aerospace industry, and Alta California, the name of the region before California became a state.
The team made its inaugural regular-season home opener on April 5, 2025, to a sold-out crowd, and something great began brewing in Antelope Valley!
Food & Beverage 3
Concession outlets line the inner concourse, while food trucks enhance the selection. The concession stands offer chicken tenders and fries, asada fries, chicken and asada tacos, nachos, and hot dogs (ranging from $8 - $13). For snacks, pretzels, churros, Dippin’ Dots, regular fries, and candy are for sale. Cocktails and beer run from $8 - $19. Pepsi products, non-alcoholic beer, water, and coffee/hot chocolate cost between $5 - $8.
Mi Ranchito Mexican Grill is a very popular food truck behind the goal on what was once the first base side (the south end of the venue). Chick-fil-A and various other food trucks offer their wares in the Fan Village.
The best place to get a beer is Bravery Brewing Co at the end of the grandstand. It sells cans of not only Bravery Brewing beers (the Kolsch is delicious), but also Corona, Estrella, Michelob Ultra, and more. Bravery Brewing even brews a special Cerveza Alta Mexican Lager as the official beer of AV Alta FC.
All in all, a good selection of food and drinks for any fútbol fan.
Atmosphere 5
Attending a match here ranks among the most entertaining things to do in the Antelope Valley, from Palmdale to Lancaster and beyond.
The transformation into a soccer‑specific venue is immediately noticeable. The grandstand, press box, scoreboard, and batter’s eye remain, but everything has been refreshed in the club’s Joshua green and desert sand color scheme. Upgrades include a premium seating area at midfield with new padded chairs, a club bar offering complimentary tapas and a soda, and a full cash bar.
The renovations included the installation of The Green Wall (the 661 Supporters Group stands) providing seven or eight covered standing-only rows, creating a lively atmosphere. On the east side, a Chick-fil-A Family Stand boasts four sections of seven or eight rows of fold-down seating with handrails for easier access. These stands face the sun for the early portion of the match.
A new Fan Village sits just behind the Chick‑fil‑A stands, providing space for food trucks, sponsor tables, and a wide, open concourse where kids have plenty of room to move around and play.
Lastly, the field itself received a major upgrade, with a FIFA‑quality artificial turf pitch and new LED lighting. The lights flash in celebration after an AV Alta FC goal, adding more fun to the match‑day experience.
What makes soccer wonderful is that the match unfolds without a soundtrack; the cheers and reactions of the crowd become the music during match action. The announcer delivers calls with clarity, handling lineups, yellow cards, corner kicks, goals, substitutions, and extra time perfectly.
Neighborhood 4
Lancaster is a respectable city to visit, and while no night life is walking distance to the stadium, there is plenty to see and do in and around town.
A few regional fast food restaurants are nearby, with In-N-Out being the most popular choice, but don’t shun El Pollo Loco, which originated in Los Angeles. Lancaster Marketplace is less than ½ mile south of the stadium and provides dining, shopping, and services.
If you are looking for a few local options, drive the two miles downtown to the BLVD. In this tree-lined block, visitors can find a collection of ethnic cuisine, including On The Blvd Brooklyn Deli, Lucky Luke Brewpub, El Kachimbon Salvadorian Restaurant, Olive's Mediterranean Café, and so much more. The BLVD has the MOAH (Museum of Arts and History), Lancaster Performing Arts Center, and a Regency movie theater for cultural entertainment, and there’s often some kind of event in the downtown area.
Craft beer lovers will enjoy Bravery Brewery (about 5 miles from the stadium), providing a wide variety of excellent brews. And, when in Lancaster, one must drive over the Musical Road at least once.
Closer to the stadium, an IMAX movie theater is nearby (just across Valley Central Way). A Homewood Suites and a Hampton Inn are right across the street from the parking entrance. Just across Highway 14 is a Wyndham Garden. So, plenty of places are available within a ½ mile for those spending the night.
Fans 3
The fans who attend AV Alta FC matches are a huge part of the cub’s success. The 661 Supporters Group stands and sings, chants, cheers, waves flags and scarves, plays drums and other instruments throughout the entire match. They even have a pregame tailgate in the parking lot.
The other fans react similarly with good plays, and groan at missed opportunities. The fanbase tends to be a young crowd and includes families and plenty of kids, giving the match a lively, community‑oriented feel.
Access 4
Reaching the stadium is not difficult, as it sits right off State Highway 14. Currently, the city is performing road construction on the highway, so be cognizant of that when arriving and leaving. Better yet, the team offers AV Alta Express bus service to the match from both Palmdale and Lancaster.
For fans flying in, the closest commercial airports are Hollywood Burbank Airport - BUR (60 miles) and Los Angeles International Airport - LAX (75 miles).
Once on site, plenty of parking is available. Advance parking is $10, while game day parking is $15. The venue allows clear bags up to 14” x 14” x 6”.
The layout is entirely flat (except for the seating), so fans can move comfortably without encountering steps. Accessible seating is readily available for those who need it.
The venue has several restroom areas, though the women’s facilities get messy by the end of the match. I’m not sure about the men’s.
Return on Investment 5
Attending an AV Alta FC match is absolutely worth your sports entertainment budget. It’s a marvelous, comfortable, and genuinely welcoming way to spend a few hours, with an atmosphere that feels both lively and community driven.
Tickets typically range from $17–$65, and you can save a few dollars by paying for parking in advance or skipping it altogether by taking the bus. The club also offers group rates, mini‑plans, and theme nights, all of which add even more value to the experience. Concession prices are reasonable, especially compared to what you’d pay at an LA Galaxy or LAFC match.
It’s such a fun, engaging night out that I encourage everyone to experience at least one match.
Extras 3
During the evening of my visit, every single AV Alta FC staff member I interacted with made me feel so welcome, as if they were delighted I visited. This greeting extended across parking, security, concessions, and guest services. I wish I lived closer so I could attend more matches.
The merchandise store has plenty of Joshua green and desert brown jerseys, caps, t-shirts, scarves, and even lapel pins!
The players even sign autographs at the end of the match, adding a personal touch.
Final Thoughts
Every detail at an AV Alta FC match contributes to a welcoming, entertaining night out. With clear announcing, a vibrant crowd, and a venue that now feels purpose‑built for the sport, this is a club that has quickly become one of the region’s standout experiences.
