San Diego State University has unveiled plans for its proposed Aztec Stadium, which would be built on the current site of its SDCCU Stadium and its surrounding parking area.
The 35,000-seat multi-use venue would be used by the Aztecs American football. The proposed stadium could also be expanded for any NFL games should a team decided to return to San Diego. The Chargers NFL team recently relocated from San Diego to Los Angeles.
Aztec Stadium is costing $250m (£185m/€210m), which is around $100m more than anticipated, and would be financed by taxable revenue bonds that will cost about $15m a year in debt financing.
The venue, which could be open in 2022, is designed to reflect the outdoorsy San Diego feeling, along with an “intimate” atmosphere for professional football.
“I’m excited about the fact that we have taken the time to put together a thoughtful program for a stadium that doesn’t just meet the needs of San Diego State University, but a stadium we think meets the needs of the entire community,” SDSU director of athletics John David Wicker said.
“Now we will go out and test that. I have said all along I’m excited about the expansion of San Diego State University into Mission Valley because it means the expansion of higher education, which creates a great university.
“Part of any great university is a great athletic department and to be able to build a football stadium that allows us to further Aztec Football will only raise our profile as an athletic department and university.”
The stadium is being designed by Populous, a global architecture and design firm that has designed more than 2,000 projects over the last 30 years.
The plan also includes a 90,000-square-feet of retail space, located near the stadium, which would be appropriately scaled to support game day activities, but also serve residents, employees, students and visitors during non-game days.
