Dignity Health Sports Park Explained

Stadium Name:Dignity Health Sports Park
Logo Image:DHSP.svg
Address:18400 Avalon Boulevard
Location:Carson, California, U.S.
Pushpin Map:USA Los Angeles Metropolitan Area#USA California#USA
Pushpin Relief:yes
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in L.A. metro area##Location in California##Location in the United States
Broke Ground:February 26, 2002[1]
Opened:[2]
Owner:Anschutz Entertainment Group
Surface:Bandera Bermuda Grass[3]
Construction Cost:

soccer stadium-only costs within the complex were around
Architect:Rossetti Architects
Structural Engineer:John A. Martin & Associates, Inc.[4]
Services Engineer:AG Engineering Group, Inc.[5]
General Contractor:PCL Construction[6]
Former Names:Home Depot Center
(2003–2013)
StubHub Center
(2013–2018)
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
Publictransit: Galaxy Express to/from:

Seating Capacity:27,000[7]
Dimensions:120yd75yd

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 14miles 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.

On July 24, 2024, it hosted a friendly match between Premier League sides Arsenal and Bournemouth in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal winning the match on penalties.

International women's football matches

DateTournamentWinning team ResultLosing teamAttendance
September 21, 20032003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group Dalign=center 2–18,500
September 25, 20032003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group Dalign=center 1–113,929
September 25, 20032003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group Dalign=center 3–013,929
September 21, 20032003 FIFA Women's World Cup Group Dalign=center 1–010,027
October 11, 20032003 FIFA Women's World Cup Third placealign=center 3–125,253
October 12, 20032003 FIFA Women's World Cup Finalalign=center 1–0 26,137
December 8, 2004International friendlyalign=center 5–015,549
July 24, 2005align=center 3–04,378
October 1, 2006align=center 10–05,479
August 25, 2007align=center 4–07,118
December 13, 2008align=center 1–03,619
September 16, 2012align=center 2–119,851
May 17, 2015align=center 5–127,000
November 13, 2016align=center 5–020,336
August 3, 20172017 Tournament of Nationsalign=center 6–111,948
align=center 3–023,161
August 31, 2018International friendlyalign=center 3–023,544
February 7, 2020CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifyingalign=center 1–011,292
align=center 4–0
February 9, 2020align=center 3–017,489
February 17, 20222022 SheBelieves Cupalign=center 1–02,078
align=center 0–07,333
February 20, 2022align=center 5–016,587
align=center 2–13,577
September 2, 2022International friendlyalign=center 1–0
February 20, 20242024 CONCACAF W Gold Cupalign=center 5–03,242
align=center 0–02,521
February 23, 2024align=center 8–0
align=center 4–08,315
February 26, 2024align=center 3–0
align=center 2–0

MLS Cup

DateWinning teamResultLosing teamAttendanceRef.
November 23, 2003 San Jose Earthquakesalign=center 4–2 Chicago Fire27,000[20]
November 14, 2004 D.C. Unitedalign=center 3–2 Kansas City Wizards25,797
November 23, 2008 Columbus Crewalign=center 3–1 New York Red Bulls27,000
November 20, 2011 Los Angeles Galaxyalign=center 1–0 Houston Dynamo30,281
December 1, 2012 Los Angeles Galaxyalign=center 3–1 Houston Dynamo30,510
December 7, 2014 Los Angeles Galaxyalign=center 2–1 (AET) New England Revolution27,000

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.

DateOpponentsFinal scoreCompetitionAttendanceRef.
June 14, 20139–182013 IRB Pacific Nations Cup6,000[25]
June 14, 201429–372014 IRB Pacific Nations Cup5,100[26]
February 3, 201417–102018 Americas Rugby Championship6,500[27]
August 31, 20242024 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup

Champion of Champions Liga MX competition

DateWinning teamResultLosing teamAttendance
July 10, 2016 Tigres UANLalign=center 1–0 C.F. Pachuca27,132
July 16, 2017 Tigres UANLalign=center 1–0 C.D. Guadalajara25,667
July 15, 2018 Tigres UANLalign=center 4–0 Santos Laguna13,917
July 14, 2019 Club Américaalign=center 0–0 Tigres UANL27,800
July 18, 2021align=center 2–1 Club León27,674

Other sports

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.

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.[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.

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, field hockey, and track cycling.[39]

In 2017, the venue was initially announced as the venue for modern pentathlon as well,[40] but the organizers' July 2024 announcement of revised venue allocations did not indicate any assignment for this sport.

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

In 2023, ENHYPEN played 1 show on October 6.[42]

In film and TV

The facility is frequently used to provide a stadium background in film, television and advertising.[43] The complex was the site of tasks for the third season of the CBS reality competition Tough as Nails.[44] The sports park was the site of the final task and finish line of 33rd season of The Amazing Race.[45]

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.[46]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Crew home opener: 24 days and coming – OurSports Central – Independent and Minor League Sports News . OurSports Central . March 10, 2004. September 2, 2012.
  2. News: Bell. Jack. Life Was a Beach for Chivas Striker. The New York Times. August 9, 2005. August 10, 2005.
  3. Web site: Five Questions with Shaun Ilten, Manager of Turf & Grounds at StubHub Center - SportsField Management. www.sportsfieldmanagementmagazine.com. August 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170814094906/https://www.sportsfieldmanagementmagazine.com/departments/hello-my-name-is/five-questions-with-shaun-ilten-manager-of-turf-grounds-at-stubhub-center/. August 14, 2017. dead.
  4. Web site: JAMA // Home Depot Center. Johnmartin.com. September 2, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120402161505/http://www.johnmartin.com/projects/sports--recreation/home-depot-center.html. April 2, 2012.
  5. Web site: Project list from both AG Engineering Group, Inc . Agengineeringgroup.com . September 2, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130724015356/http://agengineeringgroup.com/projects.html . July 24, 2013 . dead .
  6. Web site: Construction Services |PCL . Services.pcl.com . September 2, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120403093241/http://services.pcl.com/projects/Archived/5200161/index.aspx . April 3, 2012 .
  7. Web site: Dignity Health Sports Park . . February 23, 2012. January 6, 2019.
  8. Web site: Dignity Health Sports Park. California State University, Dominguez Hills. January 6, 2019. November 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201125115358/https://www.csudh.edu/about/csudh-the-community/dignity-health-sports-park/. dead.
  9. News: ROKiT Named Official Wireless Partner of the Los Angeles Chargers. August 16, 2018. Los Angeles Chargers. December 14, 2018.
  10. News: 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. February 25, 2017.
  11. Web site: Home Depot Center to be renamed StubHub Center in June. Major League Soccer. March 4, 2013. March 4, 2013. March 7, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130307063519/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/03/04/home-depot-center-be-renamed-stubhub-center-june. dead.
  12. News: AEG announces new partnership with Dignity Health, renames LA Galaxy home stadium Dignity Health Sports Park. Dignity Health Sports Park. December 13, 2018. January 1, 2019.
  13. News: Hospital chain Dignity Health buys naming rights to Carson's StubHub Center. Los Angeles Times. December 13, 2018. Koren. James Rufus.
  14. News: LA Galaxy's StubHub Center To Undergo A Name Change. KCBS-TV/KCAL-TV. December 13, 2018. January 1, 2019.
  15. Web site: Venues. Dignity Health Sports Park. January 6, 2019.
  16. Web site: Stadium or Home . L.A. Galaxy . TheSportsDB.com.
  17. News: How cozy StubHub Center is racing to transform itself into an NFL-worthy home for the Chargers. Los Angeles Times. August 10, 2017. DiGiovanna, Mike .
  18. News: StubHub Center selected as MLS Cup 2011 host . May 9, 2011 . . May 10, 2011 . August 28, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120828183344/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/05/10/home-depot-center-selected-mls-cup-2011-host . dead .
  19. Web site: Ventura County FC .
  20. News: Jones . Grahame L. . 2003-11-24 . Earthquakes Win MLS Cup . 2024-03-22 . . en-US.
  21. Schedule announced for HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2020 . . August 8, 2019 . August 9, 2019.
  22. Web site: DIGNITY HEALTH SPORTS PARK. LA Sevens Rugby . August 6, 2021.
  23. Web site: EAGLES VENUES: 2001-2014 . USA Rugby . May 2, 2021.
  24. Web site: LOLos Angeles to Host International Sevens As Preparations for Tokyo . USA.Rugby . United States of America Rugby Football Union, Ltd. . August 6, 2021.
  25. Web site: PACIFIC NATIONS CUP - Carson, 14 June 2013, 19:30 local, 02:30 GMT +1d . espnscrum . May 2, 2021.
  26. Web site: PACIFIC NATIONS CUP - Carson, 14 June 2014, 19:30 local, 02:30 GMT +1d . espnscrum . May 2, 2021.
  27. Web site: AMERICAS RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP - Carson, 3 February 2018, 17:00 local, 01:00 GMT +1d . espnscrum . May 2, 2021.
  28. Web site: Astroturf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Announced . Home Depot Center News . November 8, 2011 . September 2, 2012. College All-Star Game to be held at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. on January 21, 2012.
  29. News: National team wins NFLPA Collegiate Bowl . October 14, 2019 . ESPN . Associated Press . January 21, 2012.
  30. Web site: EXOS - Los Angeles, California . EXOS . October 14, 2019.
  31. Web site: Games Tickets in 2015 . CrossFit Games . May 5, 2016.
  32. Web site: Superfly: Gonzalez v Rungvisai II heads to Stubhub Center, tickets set to go on sale . July 6, 2017.
  33. News: Chargers to Relocate to Los Angeles . San Diego Chargers . January 12, 2017 . February 25, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170428122353/http://www.chargers.com/news/2017/01/12/chargers-relocate-los-angeles . April 28, 2017 . dead.
  34. News: StubHub Center named interim home of Los Angeles Chargers. Anschutz Entertainment Group. January 12, 2017. January 1, 2019.
  35. News: Schrotenboer. Brent. Chargers plan to play in smallest 'NFL stadium' for next two seasons. USA Today. January 12, 2017. February 25, 2017.
  36. Web site: The Chargers' attendance problem in Los Angeles, explained. Morgan. Moriarty. November 5, 2019. SBNation.com.
  37. Web site: If the Chargers Score and No One's There to Cheer, Does the Owner Care?. The New York Times. December 19, 2019. May 8, 2021.
  38. Web site: FB to Play at Dignity Health Sports Park in 2021. September 15, 2020. SDSU Athletics. September 15, 2020 .
  39. Web site: LA28 announces more Olympic venues, offering ideal conditions for athletes and fans. LA28.org . 8 August 2024.
  40. News: Venue list for 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles . October 14, 2019 . ABC7 (KABC) . September 14, 2017.
  41. Web site: Homepage. BUNBURY official. Website. Página oficial de Enrique Bunbury.
  42. Web site: Weverse Announcement. Weverse. Website. ENHYPEN Fate Tour Announcement.
  43. Web site: Film/Photo Locations . Dignity Health Sports Park . October 14, 2019.
  44. Web site: Tough As Nails - Battle Lines (Sneak Peek 1). November 23, 2021. Yahoo!. November 24, 2021.
  45. Web site: The Amazing Race Season 33 Finale Recap: And the Winners Are.... TVLine. Nick. Caruso. March 2, 2022. March 3, 2022.
  46. News: Green . Nick . March 15, 2017 . Free Galaxy shuttle cures StubHub Center traffic woes . Orange County Register . August 10, 2017.