The debut of the San Diego State University Mission Valley development of Snapdragon Stadium is now eight months away.
Ground was broken on the new stadium in August of 2020, with the final touches expected to be completed on the site by Sept.3, just in time for SDSU's football opening season against the Arizona Wildcats.
In mid-December, a commemorative ceremony was scheduled for the placing of the stadium’s first seat. Weather conditions caused by a winter storm postponed the event and a make-up date is to be determined.
San Diego County and many areas of California experienced a winter storm that impacted daily life and holiday travel countywide. According to SDSU’s executive associate athletic director of Mission Valley Derek Grice, the storm had not delayed the stadium’s progress.
The $3 million stadium features 35,000 seats and installing the seats is expected to last into April.
According to Grice, the stadium is set to include two Dakatronics video boards and is expected to be completed in February and March. Panels are being installed on the back of the auxiliary board located at the northwest corner. Only the frame is evident now of the primary board at the southeast corner.
Previously known as Aztec Stadium, the 132 acre Mission Valley Campus has been under construction since 2018 when San Diego voters passed Measure G. The city of San Diego sold the stadium and property to the university for $86.2 million.
On Dec.6, SDSU officials made the announcement that the site will be named after its title sponsor Snapdragon. According to officials, Qualcomm paid $45 million for a 15 year deal in naming the stadium. Qualcomm has roots stemming 25 years in Mission Valley as the then-known San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium in 1997 was renamed Qualcomm Stadium after a 20 year and $18 million deal for purchase naming rights.
