Toyota Field - San Antonio FC

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29

Toyota Field 5106 David Edwards Dr San Antonio, TX 78233

San Antonio FC website

Toyota Field website

Year Opened: 2013

Capacity: 8,000

San Antonio FC – Toyota Field

In 2016 the United Soccer League (USL) awarded its newest franchise to the Alamo City, and San Antonio FC was born. For the entirety of their existence the club – which is owned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment – has called Toyota Field home.

The facility was constructed to be a soccer-specific stadium, opened in 2013 as home of the now defunct San Antonio Scorpions of the North American Soccer League. The ultimate goal was to bring a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise to San Antonio, but that no longer appears to be in the cards.

Regardless, futbol-mad fans have flocked to Toyota Field in droves since its opening, and have supported San Antonio FC with rabid passion. By and large the club has rewarded this loyalty with success on the field; this culminated in winning the USL Championship in 2022. The club and the stadium are now entering their second decade of existence, but both still feel brand new.

Food & Beverage   4

The centerpiece of the food and drink scene at Toyota Field are the stands operated by local celebrity chef Johnny Hernandez, who has opened outposts of two of his celebrated restaurants, La Gloria and Burgerteca, on the second concourse at the south end of the stadium. Offering Mexican-style burgers, nachos, tacos, and churros, the stands (which are built out of old shipping containers) are some of the more popular spots in the stadium.

The staff also added a Kickin’ Chicken chicken strips stand in one of those shipping containers, which offers up chicken strip and French fry combo baskets – the smell coming off this stand is quite frankly intoxicating.

On the lower level you will find more traditional food stands, including a few self-serve options that sell soda, water, hot dogs, and popcorn. These are always a welcome feature, and have greatly reduced the wait time in the concessions area.

In a nice touch that is a nod to the city’s Latino-centric roots, there are also two fruit cup stands in the stadium, one each on the first and second levels. These stands offer fresh fruit seasoned liberally with chile, as well as other traditional favorites like aguas frescas, shaved ice (i.e. sno cones), and corn cups.

You can also find barbecue sandwiches, pizza by the slice, and other game day favorites like soft pretzels at stands on the first and second levels. It really is a great scene considering this is ostensibly a minor league facility.

Atmosphere   3

Like many soccer stadiums, the main draw in terms of atmosphere at Toyota Field is the energy and excitement that the crowd brings. The fan groups dominate the northeast corner of the stadium, with banners flying and drums banging the entirety of each match – these groups let off red smoke at the start of each game and after each goal scored. They are as much of a part of the game as the players on the pitch.

Additional items to be on the lookout for are the team store on the second level, below the Sky Court, and the multiple enlarged San Antonio FC shield logos placed throughout the stadium, which are perfect for photo ops.

Lastly there are some newer innovations at Toyota Field, two of which I frankly have not seen at other stadiums. The first is a lactation pod for women with infants who are breastfeeding; this climate-controlled pod offers a private and comfortable space for mothers to take care of their children. The second is the Nook pod, which is a private, recessed area that is noise controlled and allows fans to take a break from the energy and noise of the stadium – it features benches and a table, as well as a charging area.

Neighborhood   3

Toyota Field is in the middle of a mix of residential and industrial areas, on the northeast side of the Alamo City. It is about a 20 to 25-minute drive from the city’s tourist-centric downtown area, which is probably what most people think of when they think of San Antonio (i.e. the Alamo, Tower of the Americas, Alamodome, River Walk, etc.).

However, the area around Toyota Stadium is not without its own attractions. For example, the facility is adjacent to one of the city’s most unique attractions in Morgan’s Wonderland. This one-of-a-kind theme park was created with the goal of making it completely accessible to people of all abilities. There are roller coasters, a water park, giant Ferris wheel, games, and more, with each designed to be as inclusive as possible.

Also within walking distance of the venue are Ricos S.T.A. R. Soccer Complex and Heroes Stadium. These top-notch facilities were designed for amateur athletics (the S.T.A.R. is also the practice facility for San Antonio FC) and can be counted to on be hopping during the spring and fall, during the local high school soccer and football seasons.

With the soccer field located where it is, there aren’t many options in terms of dining or lodging nearby. However, Interstate 35 is less than five minutes away, and heading north or south will put you within reach of dozens of restaurants and hotels.

However, I will make one recommendation here for dining. Thousand Oaks Cafe is only a few short minutes away from the field along the eponymous Thousand Oaks Drive – this place is one of my all-time favorite spots for Tex-Mex; it is only open for breakfast and lunch, so keep that in mind if you want to grab a bite.

Fans   4

San Antonio FC has averaged between 6,000 and 7,000 fans per season, with most nights being virtual sellouts at Toyota Field. As mentioned the energy and engagement from the fans really adds to the overall atmosphere. There are regular tailgates in the parking lot before games, and the fan groups themselves are a real draw.

As an example of how engaged the fans are, the most recent game I attended was a “Red Out.” The club was handing out t-shirts that night, but by and large from what I could see, most fans were already decked out in red. To me, that’s a sign of a good fanbase.

Access   4

Toyota Field is conveniently located off Interstate 35, which runs north and south through San Antonio. It is a major thoroughfare, and you can get to anywhere in the city in 15-30 minutes by traveling it. The stadium is visible from the highway, and there is signage leading the way.

If you’re traveling into the city for a game, the stadium is about a 12-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport. If you choose not to drive, the city’s public transportation option, VIA Metropolitan Transit, has bus routes that drop fans off near the facility.

Once on site, parking is plentiful. I must also add that this is one of the easiest sports venues to get both in and out of that I have ever experienced – if only all of them could be this simple.

Return on Investment   3

Single-game tickets for San Antonio FC games start at around $21. This seems to be pretty commensurate with how things are going in the sports world. Parking, if you wait until you get to the stadium, can be had for around $10 depending on how much you’re willing to walk.

When it comes to concessions there are plenty of bargains to be had; fountain drinks, for example, if you buy the souvenir cup, have unlimited refills.

Considering how successful the club has been in recent years, attending a match at Toyota Field continues to be one of the best bargains in the city in terms of sports.

Extras   2

In terms of extras, there continues to be a lack in this category for San Antonio FC and Toyota Field. The one thing that keeps this score from being lower is the theme nights that the club utilizes throughout the season. This season, for example, there was a Harry Potter night and a loteria night. The team also hosts a Hispanic heritage night and a cancer awareness night.

During certain summer games they also show movies on the jumbotron; things like that are a step in the right direction, in terms of adding more for fans to enhance their gameday experience.

Final Thoughts

I will freely admit that I am not that big of a soccer fan. However, even someone like me can recognize when something good is happening. The team and the city have done a lot to get behind San Antonio FC, and Toyota Field looks and feels like a first-class facility.

It feels like the days of getting a larger team to come into the venue have passed, but right now, it’s great for what we have. If you’re a fan of the sport, I would highly recommend catching a game at Toyota Field.

Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477.