Dignity Health Sports Park

Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly Home Depot Center and StubHub Center, is a multiple-use sports complex located on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California, that consists of the 27,000-seat Dignity Health Sports Park Soccer Stadium, the Dignity Health Sports Park Tennis Stadium, a track and field facility and a velodrome: VELO Sports Center.[9] It is approximately 14 miles (23 km) south of downtown Los Angeles and its primary tenant is the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS). The stadium is also home to the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL, and LA Galaxy II of USL Championship.

Dignity Health Sports Park
The stadium in November 2009
Dignity Health Sports Park
Location in L.A. metro area
Dignity Health Sports Park
Location in California
Dignity Health Sports Park
Location in the United States
Former namesHome Depot Center
(2003–2013)
StubHub Center
(2013–2018)
Address18400 Avalon Boulevard
LocationCarson, California, U.S.
Coordinates33.864°N 118.261°W / 33.864; -118.261
Public transit Galaxy Express to
Del Amo station   and Harbor Gateway Transit Center
OwnerAnschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)
OperatorAEG
Capacity27,000 (Current)[1]
30,000 (Planned)[2]
Field size120 yd × 75 yd (110 m × 69 m)
SurfaceBandera Bermuda Grass[3]
Construction
Broke groundFebruary 26, 2002[4]
OpenedJune 1, 2003 (2003-06-01)[5]
Construction cost$150 million;
soccer stadium-only costs within the complex were around $87 million
ArchitectRossetti Architects
Structural engineerJohn A. Martin & Associates, Inc.[6]
Services engineerAG Engineering Group, Inc.[7]
General contractorPCL Construction Services, Inc.[8]
Tenants
LA Galaxy (MLS) (2003–present)
Chivas USA (MLS) 2005–2014
Los Angeles Riptide (MLL) 2006–2008
Los Angeles Sol (WPS) 2009
LA Galaxy II (USLC) 2015–present
Los Angeles Chargers (NFL) 2017–2019
Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL) 2020, 2022– (planned)
San Diego State Aztecs football (NCAA) 2020–present

Opened in 2003, the $150 million complex was developed and is operated by the Anschutz Entertainment Group. With a seating capacity of 27,000, it is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. and the second-largest among its kind in MLS, after Toronto FC's BMO Field in Ontario, Canada. In addition to hosting LA Galaxy games since its opening, the stadium also served as the home of the now-defunct Chivas USA MLS team from 2005 to 2014.

The stadium is currently the temporary home of the San Diego State Aztecs football team from San Diego State University. The stadium was the temporary home of the Los Angeles Chargers from 2017 to 2019. It was the smallest NFL stadium over the course of those three seasons. While the Chargers played in the stadium, the facility was named ROKiT Field at StubHub Center; ROKiT's naming rights to the football field are part of a "multi-year" agreement.[10]

During its first decade, the stadium's sponsor was hardware retailer The Home Depot. In 2013, the title sponsor became the online ticket marketplace StubHub. In 2019, the name sponsor became healthcare provider Dignity Health.

History and facilities

Originally opened as Home Depot Center in 2003, it was renamed "StubHub Center" on June 1, 2013.[11][12] It was renamed "Dignity Health Sports Park" on January 1, 2019, after Dignity Health signed a new naming rights agreement.[13][14][15]

The 27,000-seat main stadium was the second American sports arena designed specifically for soccer in the MLS era. When the venue opened in June 2003 as the new home of LA Galaxy, a number of special events took place in celebration. Pelé was in attendance at the opening match along with many dignitaries from the soccer world and other celebrities.

In addition to the soccer stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park features the 2,450-seat VELO Sports Center (velodrome), an 8,000-seat tennis stadium. and an outdoor track and field facility that has 2,000 permanent seats and is expandable to 20,000.[16] Soccer stadium building costs within the $150 million complex were around $87 million.[17]

2017 renovations

In 2017, to accommodate the Chargers' use of the stadium, upgrades were made at cost to the Chargers including bleachers in the second deck on the east side of the stadium being replaced by tip-up seats and moved to the berm on the north side, adding 1,000 seats. A new section of upper-level bleachers, which seat 330, were erected in the southeast corner of the stadium. Also, the luxury suites were renovated with new seats, furniture, community tables, and engineered hardwood floors and the press box underwent an upgrade with a third row added to the main box, boosting capacity from about 35 to 53. Floors were constructed on the roof of the luxury suites so an auxiliary press box could be built on both sides of the main box.

Two new radio booths were built outside the south side of the press box, and a large new booth on the north side which serves as a security command post for police and NFL officials was constructed. Two booths were added on each side of the press box for the NFL-mandated 20-yard-line television cameras, and a stairway allowing access to the roof of the main box was built to accommodate the 50-yard-line camera. To accommodate 53-man NFL rosters, four small locker rooms were converted to two larger ones with 60 cubicles in each. Also added were small postgame news conference rooms for each team and rooms for game officials and the chain gang.[18] After the Chargers left for Inglewood, the football facilities were taken over by the Wildcats when the XFL team began operations in 2020.

Tenants

Aside from being home to the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer, it was also home to two defunct clubs, the MLS team Chivas USA as well as Los Angeles Sol of the Women's Professional Soccer. The stadium hosted the 2003 MLS All-Star Game and the MLS Cup in 2003, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012[19] and 2014.

Dignity Health Sports Park was also the site of the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup final. Both the United States women's and men's national soccer teams often use the facility for training camps and select home matches.

It also hosted the 2004 NCAA Men's College Cup, with Duke, Indiana, Maryland, and UC Santa Barbara qualifying.

The track and field stadium on the site is also home to the LA Galaxy II of the USL Championship, farm club to the parent Galaxy.

On July 30, 2016, it hosted a 2016 International Champions Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Leicester City. Paris Saint-Germain won the match 4–0 to complete a perfect record in the ICC.

International women's soccer matches
DateCompetitionTeam #1ResTeam #2Crowd
September 21, 2003 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D  Australia 1–2  Russia 8,500
September 25, 2003 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D  China PR 1–1  Australia 13,929
September 25, 2003 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D  Ghana 0–3  Russia 13,929
September 21, 2003 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D  China PR 1–0  Ghana 10,027
October 11, 2003 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Third place  United States 3–1  Canada 25,253
September 21, 2003 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Final  Germany 1–0 (a.e.t.)  Sweden 26,137
October 1, 2006 International Friendly  United States 10–0  Chinese Taipei 5,479
August 25, 2007  United States 4–0  Finland 7,118
December 13, 2008  United States 1–0  China PR 3,619
September 16, 2012  United States 2–1  Australia 19,851
May 17, 2015  United States 5–1  Mexico 27,000
November 13, 2016  United States 5–0  Romania 20,336
August 3, 2017 2017 Tournament of Nations  United States 3–0  Japan 23,161
August 31, 2018 International Friendly  United States 3–0  Chile 23,544
February 7, 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying  United States 4–0  Mexico 11,292
February 9, 2020  Canada 0–3  United States 17,489

MLS Cup
DateWinning TeamResultLosing TeamSpectators
November 23, 2003 San Jose Earthquakes 4–2 Chicago Fire 27,000
November 14, 2004 D.C. United 3–2 Kansas City Wizards 25,797
November 23, 2008 Columbus Crew 3–1 New York Red Bulls 27,000
November 20, 2011 Los Angeles Galaxy 1–0 Houston Dynamo 30,281
December 1, 2012 Los Angeles Galaxy 3–1 Houston Dynamo 30,510
December 7, 2014 Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 (AET) New England Revolution 27,000

Other sports

The stadium hosted the first three editions (2004–06) of the USA Sevens, an annual international rugby sevens competition that is part of the World Rugby Sevens Series, and again hosted that event on February 29 to March 1, 2020.[20] The stadium has also hosted all United States national team matches for the Pacific Nations Cup since 2013.

A fireworks display at Dignity Health Sports Park

It was also the location for the State Championship Bowl Games for high school football teams in the state of California from 2006 to 2014. The Semper Fidelis All America game was held there on January 5, 2014, featuring an East vs West high school matchup. The first college football game was held at the stadium on January 21, 2012, as the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, with the National Team beating the American Team 20–14.[21][22]

The track played host to the 2005 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. It is also the home of the Adidas Running Club, a member of the USA Elite Running Circuit, and the Adidas Track Classic. Dignity Health Sports Park is also home to EXOS, formerly Athletes' Performance, which trains athletes in a variety of sports.[23]

The Los Angeles Riptide of Major League Lacrosse played their home games at the track and field stadium.

The soccer and tennis stadiums of the Center have also served as the main venues for ESPN's Summer X Games.

From 2010 to 2016, it hosted the Reebok CrossFit Games. Initially only utilizing the tennis stadium, over the years it also expanded to the running field and the soccer stadium.[24]

The facility has also hosted several high-profile professional boxing matches, including Andre Ward vs. Arthur Abraham, Brandon Ríos vs. Urbano Antillón, Shawn Porter vs. Kell Brook and matches featuring other notable fighters. The venue has become iconic among boxing fans for its electric atmosphere.[25]

On August 16, 2013, Resurrection Fighting Alliance held an MMA event RFA 9: Curran vs. Munhoz with the main event crowning a new Bantamweight Champion.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers had a three-year tenure at Dignity Health Sports Park from 2017 to 2019, while SoFi Stadium in Inglewood was being built.[26][27][28] During the team's three seasons at the stadium, they compiled an even 11–11 record while frequently dealing with high numbers of spectators supporting the opposing team due to the combined reasons of the Chargers building a fan-base in the Los Angeles area and spectators opting to see their team compete in a small setting for the NFL.[29]

San Diego State Aztecs

The stadium is currently the temporary home of the San Diego State Aztecs football team from San Diego State University. The 2020 and 2021 seasons are being played at Dignity Health Sports Park until Aztec Stadium in San Diego, the replacement for the Aztecs' former home of SDCCU Stadium, is completed for the 2022 season.[30]

2028 Summer Olympics

During the 2028 Summer Olympics, the venue will host rugby, tennis, modern pentathlon, field hockey, and track cycling.[31]

Entertainment

Concerts

The Vans Warped Tour was held annually in the stadium parking lot until the tour's final year in 2018.

It also served as the host facility for the first two seasons of Spike TV's Pros vs Joes reality sports contests.

In 2007 it received the bands Héroes del Silencio, in their Tour 2007,[32] and Soda Stereo in their Me Verás Volver tour 2007.

In film and TV

The facility is often used to provide a stadium background in film, television and advertising.[33]

Panoramic view of the then-Home Depot Center during the MLS Cup 2008

Transportation

Dignity Health Sports Park is located south of the Avalon Boulevard exit on California State Route 91.

In 2017, the LA Galaxy launched a shuttle bus service with two routes connecting Dignity Health Sports Park with the Harbor Gateway Transit Center and Del Amo station, operated by Long Beach Transit.[34]

References
  1. "Dignity Health Sports Park". LA Galaxy. February 23, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  2. Kirk, Jason (January 12, 2017). "Los Angeles Chargers' 2017 stadium would be the 108th-biggest in college football". SB Nation. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  3. "Five Questions with Shaun Ilten, Manager of Turf & Grounds at StubHub Center - SportsField Management". www.sportsfieldmanagementmagazine.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  4. "Crew home opener: 24 days and coming – OurSports Central – Independent and Minor League Sports News". OurSports Central. March 10, 2004. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  5. Bell, Jack (August 9, 2005). "Life Was a Beach for Chivas Striker". The New York Times. Retrieved August 10, 2005.
  6. "JAMA // Home Depot Center". Johnmartin.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  7. "Project list from both AG Engineering Group, Inc". Agengineeringgroup.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  8. "Construction Services |PCL". Services.pcl.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  9. "Dignity Health Sports Park". California State University, Dominguez Hills. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  10. "ROKiT Named Official Wireless Partner of the Los Angeles Chargers". Los Angeles Chargers. August 16, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  11. "StubHub Begins Transition as New Naming Rights Partner to The Home of the MLS Champion LA Galaxy & Chivas USA". Anschutz Entertainment Group. May 31, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  12. "Home Depot Center to be renamed StubHub Center in June". Major League Soccer. March 4, 2013.
  13. "AEG announces new partnership with Dignity Health, renames LA Galaxy home stadium Dignity Health Sports Park". Dignity Health Sports Park. December 13, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  14. Koren, James Rufus (December 13, 2018). "Hospital chain Dignity Health buys naming rights to Carson's StubHub Center". Los Angeles Times.
  15. "LA Galaxy's StubHub Center To Undergo A Name Change". KCBS-TV/KCAL-TV. December 13, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  16. "Venues". Dignity Health Sports Park. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  17. "Stadium or Home". L.A. Galaxy. TheSportsDB.com.
  18. DiGiovanna, Mike (August 10, 2017). "How cozy StubHub Center is racing to transform itself into an NFL-worthy home for the Chargers". Los Angeles Times.
  19. "StubHub Center selected as MLS Cup 2011 host". MLS Soccer. May 9, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  20. "Schedule announced for HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2020" (Press release). World Rugby. August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  21. "Astroturf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Announced". Home Depot Center News. November 8, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2012. College All-Star Game to be held at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. on January 21, 2012
  22. "National team wins NFLPA Collegiate Bowl". ESPN. Associated Press. January 21, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  23. "EXOS - Los Angeles, California". EXOS. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  24. "Games Tickets in 2015". CrossFit Games. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  25. "Superfly: Gonzalez v Rungvisai II heads to Stubhub Center, tickets set to go on sale". July 6, 2017.
  26. "Chargers to Relocate to Los Angeles". San Diego Chargers. January 12, 2017. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  27. "StubHub Center named interim home of Los Angeles Chargers". Anschutz Entertainment Group. January 12, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  28. Schrotenboer, Brent (January 12, 2017). "Chargers plan to play in smallest 'NFL stadium' for next two seasons". USA Today. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  29. Moriarty, Morgan (November 5, 2019). "The Chargers' attendance problem in Los Angeles, explained". SBNation.com.
  30. "FB to Play at Dignity Health Sports Park in 2021". SDSU Athletics. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  31. "Venue list for 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles". ABC7 (KABC). September 14, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  32. Website, BUNBURY official. "Homepage". Página oficial de Enrique Bunbury.
  33. "Film/Photo Locations". Dignity Health Sports Park. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  34. Green, Nick (March 15, 2017). "Free Galaxy shuttle cures StubHub Center traffic woes". Orange County Register. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
Events and tenants
Preceded by
Qualcomm Stadium		 Home of the Los Angeles Chargers
2017–2019		 Succeeded by
SoFi Stadium
Preceded by
Rose Bowl		 Home of the
LA Galaxy
2003–present		 Incumbent
Preceded by
first stadium		 Home of
Chivas USA
2005–2014		 Succeeded by
Team Dissolved
Preceded by
Aloha Stadium		 Host of the
Pan-Pacific Championship
2009–present		 Incumbent
Preceded by
Gillette Stadium
RFK Stadium
BMO Field
Sporting Park		 Host of the MLS Cup
2003 & 2004
2008
2011 & 2012
2014		 Succeeded by
Pizza Hut Park
Qwest Field
Sporting Park
Mapfre Stadium
Preceded by
Rose Bowl
Pasadena		 FIFA Women's World Cup
Final Venue
2003		 Succeeded by
Hongkou Stadium
Shanghai
Preceded by
Nickerson Field		 Host of
Major League Lacrosse championship weekend
2006		 Succeeded by
PAETEC Park
Preceded by
first stadium
Sam Boyd Stadium		 Home of
USA Sevens
2004–2006
2020–future		 Succeeded by
Petco Park
incumbent
Preceded by
Columbus Crew Stadium		 Host of the College Cup
2004		 Succeeded by
SAS Soccer Park
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