Snapdragon Stadium - San Diego Wave FC
- Meg Minard
- Sep 11, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: 9 hours ago
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
Catch the Wave
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.
They play their home matches at beautiful Snapdragon Stadium, a new (2022) multipurpose venue that serves as the home for many San Diego sports teams, concerts, and other festivals and events, including the San Diego State Aztecs football team.
Crews built the stadium on the old Jack Murphy Stadium / Qualcomm Stadium site.
Food & Beverage 4
From craft brews to local bites, Snapdragon Stadium serves up plenty of choices—just expect premium pricing. Many of the concessions feature iconic, local San Diego businesses.
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. Empanada Kitchen (specializing in baked Argentine filled pastries), Shawarma Guys (offering a variety of shawarmas and wraps), and Crack Shack (fried chicken) are other San Diego based eateries in the venue.
Additional kiosks line the concourse selling treats and snacks. The northeast corner has several food trucks selling ice cream, sausages and brats, Infused Tacos, and other 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 $14.50 - $17; Pepsi products run $7 - $9.
Depending on crowd size, some concessions are closed during a San Diego FC match.
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, plus seats behind each of the goalposts. 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. The venue has minimal shade for afternoon games. Bring sunscreen.
Snapdragon Stadium has two sharp and vibrant 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.
The PA announcements are made in both English and Spanish. The music volume is perfect.
The San Diego Wave FC 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.
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 FC MLS (soccer), and San Diego State University football and baseball.
Fans 3
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 19,000 to over 21,000 fans per match. Many fans wear the colorful jerseys of the San Diego Wave FC.
Wave FC matches are a warm, welcoming experience for fans and visitors alike, thanks to the enthusiastic crowd and attentive staff.
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 $35. 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 $200 (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 Hispanic Heritage Night, Pride Night, Military Appreciation Night, and more. Take advantage of visiting one of these themed games.
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Extras 4
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 Club recently retired Alex Morgan’s number 13. She was the Club’s all-time leading goal scorer and has been a central figure in shaping Wave FC both on and off the pitch.
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.
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