Sacramento State has announced plans to build a new multi-purpose stadium to replace the current temporary stands at Hornet Stadium.
The venue would be capable of hosting American football, soccer and rugby. It would also host collegiate, professional and international competitions, NCAA championships, concerts, club sports and other events.
Architecture firm Populous has been appointed to create the conceptual design for the stadium, which will be located on the site of the current Hornet Stadium.
The new stadium’s capacity will be at least 25,000, with the venue to feature improved student and visitor seating sections, premium seating and boxes, and improved restroom and concession facilities. Renderings are set to be released in the coming weeks.
Sacramento State president Luke Wood (pictured) said: “Today marks a significant milestone for Sacramento State. The construction of this new, multi-use stadium will take our athletic game experiences to a new level.
“The stadium will benefit multiple sports teams including football, soccer and rugby. The feasibility study completed in 2023 shows we not only need the improvements, but we have so much more we can offer our campus and community with a new stadium.”
Mark Orr, director of athletics at Sacramento State, added: “This new, state-of-the-art multi-purpose stadium will be more than just an amazing home to our Hornet athletic teams. It will serve as an entertainment hub for many types of events for all Sacramento State students, alumni, fans and community members to enjoy.
“It will also have a significant positive impact on our ability to attract and retain student-athletes to compete for championship success at a national level.”
Hornet Stadium was originally built in 1969 with a capacity of 6,000 seats. The temporary stadium was upgraded in 1992 prior to the arrival of the Sacramento Surge of the World League of American Football, which more than tripled seating to its current total of 21,195.
The stadium has also hosted the Sacramento Gold Miners of the Canadian Football League and the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League, and it staged the 2000 and 2004 US Track & Field Olympic Trials.
