Dignity Health Sports Park

Dignity Health Sports Park

Dignity Health Sports Park Location in L.A. metro area Show map of the Los Angeles metropolitan area Dignity Health Sports Park Location in California Show map of California Dignity Health Sports Park Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Former names	Home Depot Center (2003–2013) StubHub Center (2013–2018)
Address	18400 Avalon Boulevard
Location	Carson, California, U.S.
Coordinates	33°51′50″N118°15′40″W / 33.864°N 118.261°W / 33.864; -118.261
Public transit	Galaxy Express to/from:   Del Amo   Harbor Gateway
Owner	Anschutz Entertainment Group
Capacity	27,000 [1]
Field size	120 yd × 75 yd (110 m × 69 m)
Surface	Bandera Bermuda Grass [2]
Construction
Broke ground	February 26, 2002 [3]
Opened	June 1, 2003; 20 years ago (2003-06-01) [4]
Construction cost	US$150 million; soccer stadium-only costs within the complex were around US$87 million
Architect	Rossetti Architects
Structural engineer	John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. [5]
Services engineer	AG Engineering Group, Inc. [6]
General contractor	PCL Construction [7]
Tenants
LA Galaxy (MLS) 2003–present Chivas USA (MLS) 2005–2014 Los Angeles Riptide (MLL) 2006–2008 Los Angeles Sol (WPS) 2009 Ventura County FC (MLS Next Pro) 2015–present Los Angeles Chargers (NFL) 2017–2019 Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL) 2020 San Diego State Aztecs (NCAA) 2020–2021 RFC LA (MLR) 2024–present

Dignity Health Sports Park is a multi-use sports complex located on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California. The complex 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 the VELO Sports Center velodrome. ^[8] 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 main stadium was also home to the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL in 2020. The LA Galaxy II of MLS Next Pro play their home matches at the complex's track and field facility. For 2020 and 2021, the stadium served as the temporary home of the San Diego State Aztecs football team.

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 second largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States, after Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, and the third-largest among its kind in MLS, after Geodis Park and BMO Field in Toronto. During its first decade, the stadium was known as Home Depot Center through a naming rights deal with hardware retailer The Home Depot. In 2013, the name was changed to StubHub Center after naming rights were sold to online ticket marketplace StubHub. The current name, from healthcare provider Dignity Health, debuted in 2019.

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 was the temporary home of the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) from 2017 to 2019, being the smallest NFL stadium over the course of those three seasons. When the Chargers played at the stadium, the facility was known as ROKiT Field at StubHub Center as part of a "multi-year" agreement with ROKiT. ^[9]

History and facilities

Originally opened as Home Depot Center in 2003, it was renamed StubHub Center on June 1, 2013. ^{[10] [11]} It was renamed Dignity Health Sports Park on January 1, 2019, after Dignity Health signed a new naming rights agreement. ^{[12] [13] [14]}

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. ^[15] Soccer stadium building costs within the $150 million complex were around $87 million. ^[16]

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 to serve 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. ^[17] After the Chargers left for Inglewood, the football facilities were taken over by the Wildcats when the XFL team began operations in 2020.

Soccer

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 ^[18] 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 football 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 the former home to LA Galaxy II of MLS Next Pro, the developmental club to the parent LA Galaxy. Starting in 2024, this team has moved and will be known as Ventura County FC. ^[19]

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 football matches

Date	Tournament	Winning team	Result	Losing team	Attendance
September 21, 2003	2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D	Russia	2–1	Australia	8,500
September 25, 2003	2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D	China	1–1	Australia	13,929
September 25, 2003	2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D	Russia	3–0	Ghana	13,929
September 21, 2003	2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D	China	1–0	Ghana	10,027
October 11, 2003	2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Third place	United States	3–1	Canada	25,253
October 12, 2003	2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Final	Germany	1–0 ( a.e.t. )	Sweden	26,137
December 8, 2004	International friendly	United States	5–0	Mexico	15,549
July 24, 2005		United States	3–0	Iceland	4,378
October 1, 2006		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	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	Australia	6–1	Brazil	11,948
		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	Canada	1–0	Costa Rica	11,292
		United States	4–0	Mexico
February 9, 2020		United States	3–0	Canada	17,489
February 17, 2022	2022 SheBelieves Cup	Iceland	1–0	New Zealand	2,078
		United States	0–0	Czech Republic	7,333
February 20, 2022		United States	5–0	New Zealand	16,587
		Iceland	2–1	Czech Republic	3,577
September 2, 2022	International friendly	New Zealand	1–0	Mexico
February 20, 2024	2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup	United States	5–0	Dominican Republic	3,242
		Mexico	0–0	Argentina	2,521
February 23, 2024		Mexico	8–0	Dominican Republic
		United States	4–0	Argentina	8,315
February 26, 2024		Argentina	3–0	Dominican Republic
		Mexico	2–0	United States

MLS Cup

Date	Winning team	Result	Losing team	Attendance	Ref.
November 23, 2003	San Jose Earthquakes	4–2	Chicago Fire	27,000	[20]
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 international matches

Rugby

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. It again hosted the 2020, 2022, and 2023 events. ^{[21] [22]}

The stadium has also hosted all United States national team matches for the Pacific Nations Cup between 2013 and 2014. ^[23] and the "Quest For Gold" pre-Olympic Rugby Sevens showcase on June 25–26, 2021. ^[24]

The stadium will host the Los Angeles Rugby Team of Major League Rugby beginning in 2024.

The stadium is scheduled to host the 2028 Olympic Rugby Sevens tournaments.

USA Eagles Internationals

USA scores displayed first.

Date	Opponents	Final score	Competition	Attendance	Ref.
June 14, 2013	Tonga	9–18	2013 IRB Pacific Nations Cup	6,000	[25]
June 14, 2014	Japan	29–37	2014 IRB Pacific Nations Cup	5,100	[26]
February 3, 2014	Argentina XV	17–10	2018 Americas Rugby Championship	6,500	[27]
August 31, 2024	Canada		2024 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup

Champion of Champions Liga MX competition

Date	Winning team	Result	Losing team	Attendance
July 10, 2016	Tigres UANL	1–0	C.F. Pachuca	27,132
July 16, 2017	Tigres UANL	1–0	C.D. Guadalajara	25,667
July 15, 2018	Tigres UANL	4–0	Santos Laguna	13,917
July 14, 2019	Club América	0–0	Tigres UANL	27,800
July 18, 2021	Cruz Azul	2–1	Club León	27,674

Other sports

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. ^{[28] [29]}

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. ^[30]

The Los Angeles Riptide of Major League Lacrosse played their home games at the track and field stadium.^{[ citation needed ]}

The soccer and tennis stadiums of the Center have also served as the main venues for ESPN's Summer X Games.^{[ citation needed ]}

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. ^[31]

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. ^[32]

On August 16, 2013, Resurrection Fighting Alliance held an MMA event titled RFA 9: Curran vs. Munhoz, with the main event crowning a new Bantamweight Champion.^{[ citation needed ]}

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. ^{[33] [34] [35]} During the team's three seasons at the stadium, they compiled an even 11–11 record. Chargers fans were outnumbered by opposing teams' supporters, who frequently filled much of the stadium. ^{[36] [37]}

San Diego State Aztecs

The stadium served as the temporary home of the San Diego State Aztecs football team from San Diego State University. The 2020 and 2021 seasons were played at Dignity Health Sports Park until Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, the replacement for the Aztecs' former home of San Diego Stadium, was completed in time the 2022 season. ^[38] The final Aztecs game held at the stadium was the 2021 Mountain West Conference Football Championship Game, a 46-13 loss by the Aztecs to the Utah State Aggies. During the team's two seasons at the stadium, they compiled a 9-3 record (3-1 in 2020 and 6-2 in 2021).

2028 Summer Olympics

During the 2028 Summer Olympics, the venue will host rugby, tennis, modern pentathlon, field hockey, and track cycling. ^[39]

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, ^[40] and Soda Stereo in their Me Verás Volver tour 2007.

In 2023, ENHYPEN played 1 show on October 6. ^[41]

In film and TV

The facility is frequently used to provide a stadium background in film, television and advertising. ^{[42] [ better source needed ]} The complex was the site of tasks for the third season of the CBS reality competition Tough as Nails . ^[43] The sports park was the site of the final task and finish line of 33rd season of The Amazing Race . ^[44]

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 operated by Long Beach Transit. With two routes connecting Dignity Health Sports Park with the Harbor Gateway Transit Center and Del Amo station on the Los Angeles Metro Rail's A Line. ^[45]

References

1. "Dignity Health Sports Park". LA Galaxy. February 23, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
2. "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.
3. "Crew home opener: 24 days and coming – OurSports Central – Independent and Minor League Sports News". OurSports Central. March 10, 2004. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
4. Bell, Jack (August 9, 2005). "Life Was a Beach for Chivas Striker". The New York Times . Retrieved August 10, 2005.
5. "JAMA // Home Depot Center". Johnmartin.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
6. "Project list from both AG Engineering Group, Inc". Agengineeringgroup.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
7. "Construction Services |PCL". Services.pcl.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
8. "Dignity Health Sports Park". California State University, Dominguez Hills. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
9. "ROKiT Named Official Wireless Partner of the Los Angeles Chargers". Los Angeles Chargers. August 16, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
10. "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.
11. "Home Depot Center to be renamed StubHub Center in June". Major League Soccer. March 4, 2013. Archived from the original on March 7, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
12. "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.
13. Koren, James Rufus (December 13, 2018). "Hospital chain Dignity Health buys naming rights to Carson's StubHub Center". Los Angeles Times .
14. "LA Galaxy's StubHub Center To Undergo A Name Change". KCBS-TV/KCAL-TV. December 13, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
15. "Venues". Dignity Health Sports Park. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
16. "Stadium or Home". L.A. Galaxy. TheSportsDB.com.
17. 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.
18. "StubHub Center selected as MLS Cup 2011 host". MLS Soccer . May 9, 2011. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
19. https://www.lagalaxy.com/venturacountyfc/news/la-galaxy-partner-with-oak-sports-holding-to-bring-mls-next-pro-affiliate
20. Jones, Grahame L. (November 24, 2003). "Earthquakes Win MLS Cup". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved March 22, 2024.
21. "Schedule announced for HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2020" (Press release). World Rugby. August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
22. "DIGNITY HEALTH SPORTS PARK". LA Sevens Rugby. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
23. "EAGLES VENUES: 2001-2014". USA Rugby. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
24. "LOLos Angeles to Host International Sevens As Preparations for Tokyo". USA.Rugby. United States of America Rugby Football Union, Ltd. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
25. "PACIFIC NATIONS CUP - Carson, 14 June 2013, 19:30 local, 02:30 GMT +1d". espnscrum. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
26. "PACIFIC NATIONS CUP - Carson, 14 June 2014, 19:30 local, 02:30 GMT +1d". espnscrum. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
27. "AMERICAS RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP - Carson, 3 February 2018, 17:00 local, 01:00 GMT +1d". espnscrum. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
28. "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
29. "National team wins NFLPA Collegiate Bowl". ESPN. Associated Press. January 21, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
30. "EXOS - Los Angeles, California". EXOS. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
31. "Games Tickets in 2015". CrossFit Games. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
32. "Superfly: Gonzalez v Rungvisai II heads to Stubhub Center, tickets set to go on sale". July 6, 2017.
33. "Chargers to Relocate to Los Angeles". San Diego Chargers. January 12, 2017. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
34. "StubHub Center named interim home of Los Angeles Chargers". Anschutz Entertainment Group. January 12, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
35. Schrotenboer, Brent (January 12, 2017). "Chargers plan to play in smallest 'NFL stadium' for next two seasons". USA Today . Retrieved February 25, 2017.
36. Moriarty, Morgan (November 5, 2019). "The Chargers' attendance problem in Los Angeles, explained". SBNation.com.
37. "If the Chargers Score and No One's There to Cheer, Does the Owner Care?". The New York Times. December 19, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
38. "FB to Play at Dignity Health Sports Park in 2021". SDSU Athletics. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
39. "Venue list for 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles". ABC7 (KABC). September 14, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
40. Website, BUNBURY official. "Homepage". Página oficial de Enrique Bunbury.
41. Website, Weverse. "Weverse Announcement". ENHYPEN Fate Tour Announcement.
42. "Film/Photo Locations". Dignity Health Sports Park. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
43. "Tough As Nails - Battle Lines (Sneak Peek 1)". Yahoo! . November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
44. Caruso, Nick (March 2, 2022). "The Amazing Race Season 33 Finale Recap: And the Winners Are..." TVLine . Retrieved March 3, 2022.
45. Green, Nick (March 15, 2017). "Free Galaxy shuttle cures StubHub Center traffic woes". Orange County Register. Retrieved August 10, 2017.

External links

• Los Angeles portal

• Dignity Health Sports Park official website

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