StubHub Center

StubHub Center

Victoria Street
Former names	The Home Depot Center (2003–2013)
Location	18400 Avalon Boulevard Carson, CA 90746
Coordinates	33°51′52″N 118°15′40″W / 33.86444°N 118.26111°WCoordinates: 33°51′52″N 118°15′40″W / 33.86444°N 118.26111°W
Owner	AEG
Operator	AEG
Capacity	27,000 MLS capacity[1]
Field size	120 yd. long x 75 yd. wide (109.7 m x 68.6 m)
Surface	Grass
Construction
Broke ground	February 26, 2002[2]
Opened	June 1, 2003[3]
Construction cost	$150 million; soccer stadium-only costs within the complex were around $87 million
Architect	Rossetti Architects
Structural engineer	John A. Martin & Associates, Inc.[4]
Services engineer	AG Engineering Group, Inc.[5]
General contractor	PCL Construction Services, Inc.[6]
Tenants
Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) (2003–present) LA Galaxy II (USL) (2015–present) Adidas Running Club (2003–present) Chivas USA (MLS) (2005–2014) Los Angeles Riptide (MLL) (2006–2008) Los Angeles Sol (WPS) (2009) NFLPA Collegiate Bowl (2012–present)

The StubHub Center (formerly the Home Depot Center) is a multiple-use sports complex located on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California. It is located approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of Downtown Los Angeles. Its title sponsor is online ticket marketplace StubHub, replacing hardware retailer The Home Depot. The $150 million complex was developed and is operated by the Anschutz Entertainment Group. With a set capacity of 27,000,^[7] it is the second-largest soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer. Its primary tenant is LA Galaxy.

History and facilities

For a decade from its opening the complex was called the Home Depot Center. It was renamed StubHub Center on June 1, 2013.^[8]

The 27,000 seat main stadium was designed specifically for soccer. The StubHub Center was the second stadium designed specifically for soccer in the MLS era. When the venue opened in June 2003 as the new home of the 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, StubHub Center features a 2,450-seat 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.^[9] Soccer stadium building costs within the $150 million complex were around $87 million.^[10]

Soccer

The StubHub Center is home to the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS). It was also home to the defunct Los Angeles Sol of Women's Professional Soccer as well as defunct MLS team Chivas USA. It hosted the 2003 MLS All-Star Game and the MLS Cup in 2003, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012^[11] and 2014.

The stadium was 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 United Soccer League, farm club to the parent Galaxy.

Other sports

The stadium hosted the first three editions (2004–06) of the USA Sevens, an annual international rugby competition that is part of the IRB Sevens World Series. The stadium has also hosted all United States national team matches for the Pacific Nations Cup since 2013.

A fireworks display at The StubHub Center.

It also was the location for the State Championship Bowl Games for high school football 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.^[12]

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. StubHub Center is also home to Athletes' Performance which trains athletes in a variety of sports.

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.

Since 2010 it has hosted the Reebok CrossFit Games. Initially only utilizing the Tennis stadium, over the years it has expanded to the running field and in 2013 the Soccer stadium.

The facility has also served as the venue for high-profile professional boxing, including Andre Ward vs. Arthur Abraham, Brandon Ríos vs. Urbano Antillón and matches featuring fighters such as Kell Brook, Shawn Porter, Jhonny Gonzalez, Marcos Maidana, Erislandy Lara, Israel Vasquez, Rafael Marquez, Robert Guerrero, Devon Alexander, Nonito Donaire, Josesito Lopez, Antonio Margarito, Alfredo Angulo, Paul Williams, Vic Darchinyan, Abner Mares, Jesus Soto Karass, and Sakio Bika.

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.

Entertainment

The Vans Warped Tour is held annually in the stadium parking lot. 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,^[13] and Soda Stereo in their Me Verás Volver tour 2007.

The facility has been used by TV, film, and advertising studios as a shooting location for productions.

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

References

1. "StubHub Center". LA Galaxy. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
2. "Crew home opener: 24 days and coming – OurSports Central – Independent and Minor League Sports News". OurSports Central. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
3. Bell, Jack (August 9, 2005). "Life Was a Beach for Chivas Striker". The New York Times.
4. "JAMA // Home Depot Center". Johnmartin.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
5. "Project list from both AG Engineering Group, Inc". Agengineeringgroup.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
6. "Construction Services |PCL". Services.pcl.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
7. "StubHub Center". worldofstadiums.com. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
8. "Home Depot Center to be renamed StubHub Center in June". mlssoccer.com. March 4, 2013.
9. "The StubHub Center: Soccer Stadium". Retrieved August 1, 2012.
10. "Sign-In Form". portlandonline.com. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
11. "StubHub Center selected as MLS Cup 2011 host". MLS Soccer. May 9, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
12. "Astroturf-NFLPA-Collegiate-Bowl-Announced / News". NFLPlayers.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
13. "Enrique Bunbury". Enrique Bunbury.

External links

• StubHub Center official website