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Viejas Arena
Viejas Arena
Viejas Arena
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Viejas Arena is an indoor arena in San Diego, California, located on the campus of San Diego State University (SDSU). Opened in 1997 on the site of the historic Aztec Bowl, it is the home of the San Diego State Aztecs men's and women's basketball teams. The Aztecs compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW). The arena is also the home of the San Diego Mojo of the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF).

Key Information

The main entrance to Viejas Arena

History

[edit]

Opened in 1997 as Cox Arena, the arena was built on the site of the historic Aztec Bowl stadium, which hosted the San Diego State Aztecs football team from the time of its construction in 1936 until 1967. The arena was built directly into a canyon hillside, enclosing one end of Aztec Bowl. Two sections of the stadium's original concrete bleachers and cobblestone walls remain visible.[5]

Until July 1, 2009, the arena's naming rights were owned by Cox Communications. On March 17, 2009, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians announced the signing of a 10-year naming rights agreement; the arena was renamed to Viejas Arena.

John F. Kennedy, then the president of the United States, gave a commencement address and received the first honorary doctorate given by a California State University at Aztec Bowl on June 6, 1963.[6]

On October 29, 2015, the basketball court was named Steve Fisher Court after men's basketball head coach Steve Fisher.[7]

The San Diego Mojo of the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) began play in the league's inaugural 2024 season at the arena.[8]

On April 4, 2024, San Diego State University announced a renovation study for Viejas Arena, focused on improving the main concourse, including food and beverage purveyors, hospitality experiences, and other services outside the arena.[9]

Events

[edit]

Viejas Arena hosted the 2001 NCAA men's basketball first round as well as the 2001 NCAA women's volleyball national championship. The arena hosted the 2006 NCAA men's basketball first and second rounds, the 2009 NCAA women's basketball first and second rounds, and the 2014 NCAA men's basketball second and third rounds. The arena also hosted the 2018 and 2022 NCAA men's basketball first and second rounds. The arena will host the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball first and second rounds.

The arena has also hosted television events such as WCW's Bash at the Beach in 1998 and various episodes of WCW Monday Nitro.[10][11] Viejas Arena hosted TNA Wrestling's Bound For Glory pay-per-view event on October 20, 2013. The arena was also the host venue of Megadeth's live DVD Blood in the Water: Live in San Diego. Additionally, the arena hosted an episode of All Elite Wrestling's Dynamite on May 31, 2023.[12]

Inside Viejas Arena

Concerts

[edit]

Viejas Arena has hosted numerous concerts with artists and bands such as Beyoncé, Avril Lavigne, Cher, Demi Lovato, DJ Khaled, Eric Clapton, Britney Spears, Evanescence, Foo Fighters, John Mayer, The Chainsmokers, Black Eyed Peas, Nicki Minaj, Aerosmith, Lady Gaga, Twenty One Pilots, Pearl Jam, Paramore, SZA, Melanie Martinez, Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, Doja Cat and Tyga. In the spring of 2001, Billy Joel and Elton John opened their Face to Face tour with a sold-out show at the arena.[13]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Viejas Arena

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Viejas Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located on the campus of in , , serving primarily as the home venue for the university's men's and teams. Opened in 1997 and owned by the university, it features a seating capacity of 12,414 for games but can be reconfigured for special events to accommodate between 3,000 and 13,500 spectators. The arena derives its name from a agreement with the , a federally recognized tribe, announced on March 17, 2009, and effective July 1, 2009, following the expiration of the prior deal with . Constructed on the site of the former Aztec Bowl football stadium (used from 1936 to 1967), Viejas Arena incorporates elements of the original structure, including concrete bleachers and a 10-ton granite boulder that commemorates President John F. Kennedy's address to the university. Beyond athletics, the venue hosts a wide array of cultural events, concerts by artists such as , , , and , and university functions, establishing it as a key entertainment hub in the region. It has also served as the site for multiple NCAA championships, including tournaments (men's in 2001, 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022; women's in 2009), as well as volleyball events. Modern amenities enhance its appeal, including a $2.3 million video scoreboard installed for improved fan experience and an open-air concourse that blends indoor and outdoor elements unique to the campus setting. Over its more than 25 years of operation, Viejas Arena has become synonymous with State University's athletic and cultural vibrancy, drawing crowds for everything from sold-out sports matches to family-oriented shows and corporate gatherings.

Overview

Location and Access

Viejas Arena is situated at 5500 Canyon Crest Drive, , CA 92182, fully integrated into the campus of (SDSU) in the College Area neighborhood of . The venue occupies a prominent position within the 283-acre main campus, accessible via major routes like , with entry points from College Avenue and Montezuma Road leading directly to its location. The arena's placement leverages the natural topography of the SDSU campus, built directly into a canyon hillside on the former site of the Aztec Bowl football stadium, which served from 1936 to 1967. This construction encloses one end of the old horseshoe-shaped stadium, utilizing sections of its original concrete foundation and creating an inherent amphitheater-like environment that enhances acoustics and sightlines for events. Access to Viejas Arena is facilitated by multiple transportation options, including proximity to the SDSU Transit Center, which connects to the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Green Line trolley for service from downtown San Diego and other areas. On-campus parking is abundant, available across structures and lots such as Parking Structures 6, 7, 8, and 12, typically charging $31 per vehicle for events and offering designated ADA spots requiring a valid placard. The campus supports sustainable commuting through extensive bike paths and secure bike cages, while pedestrian routes from nearby dormitories like those in the College Avenue Residential Complex provide convenient walkable access; ADA compliance is ensured via ramps, elevators, and accessible pathways throughout the facility and surrounding grounds. The arena is nestled among key SDSU facilities, lying adjacent to Peterson Gym across 55th Street to the north and the Aztec Center student union to the west, forming part of the vibrant Aztec Walk pedestrian corridor that links academic and recreational spaces on campus.

Facilities and Capacity

Viejas Arena is a modern multi-purpose indoor arena designed for hosting basketball games, concerts, and other events, constructed on the site of the former Aztec Bowl stadium and built into a canyon hillside to integrate with the surrounding landscape. The facility features an open-air concourse that enhances accessibility and flow for large crowds, with elements of the original stadium's concrete bleachers and cobblestone walls preserved at the north entrance. The main basketball court, known as Steve Fisher Court, was dedicated on October 29, 2015, in honor of San Diego State University men's basketball head coach Steve Fisher for his contributions to the program. The arena has a fixed of 12,414 for configurations, with flexible setups allowing for as few as 3,000 seats in intimate events and up to 13,500 depending on the arrangement for concerts and special functions. Concert capacities typically reach up to 12,845 in center-stage formats, supporting diverse stage orientations while maintaining sightlines across seating tiers that include a lower , upper deck, and premium club areas. is prioritized with 240 ADA-compliant seats and companion positions located in row 36, alongside form-fitted bench seating in rows 30-35 and standard stadium chairs throughout the rest of the venue. Operational amenities include 18 luxury suites for premium viewing, a mezzanine-level VIP room spanning 2,200 square feet that can be partitioned for banquets or media use, and six locker rooms equipped with team rooms, a , training facilities, and a work area. The total facility covers approximately 154,000 square feet, encompassing concession stands offering sports-themed menus and catering options managed by Aztec Shops, as well as modern production elements like a $2.3 million center-hung video scoreboard displaying player statistics and event graphics. Audio capabilities feature an upgraded sound system with 112 VUE Audiotechnik line array elements, dual-18 subwoofers, and a QSC Q-SYS distributed in 12 zoned clusters for optimal coverage during performances. Lighting rigs support versatile event staging, while the overall design meets standards for hosting NCAA tournaments and professional-level entertainment. In April 2024, SDSU announced a study for potential renovations to enhance amenities, including new in-venue social spaces and food and beverage options. The arena is operated by San Diego State University's Associated Students organization, with operational support from the university's athletics department to ensure seamless management for athletic and public events.

History

Construction and Opening

The site for Viejas Arena was previously occupied by Aztec Bowl, an outdoor stadium that opened on October 3, 1936, and served as the home field for football games until 1967. The venue hosted notable events during its tenure, including President John F. Kennedy's commencement address to approximately 30,000 attendees on June 6, 1963. Although the structure remained on after football operations ceased, it was partially demolished starting in 1995 to accommodate the new arena, with elements like original concrete bleachers and walls preserved and incorporated into the design. The arena's development was approved as part of State University's campus expansion in the late 1980s, with the Board of Trustees greenlighting the Aztec Bowl demolition in 1989 following a referendum in 1988 that authorized a $47-per-semester fee increase. The $29 million project was financed through these student fees, university revenue bonds, and state appropriations. Construction faced delays from environmental lawsuits, but groundbreaking occurred in March 1995. Designed by the architectural firm Sink Combs Dethlefs, the arena was engineered to blend into the canyon hillside terrain, utilizing the natural topography for enhanced acoustics, sightlines, and an amphitheater-like seating arrangement that echoes the original stadium's layout. The facility was completed in early 1997 and officially opened on July 24 as Cox Arena, named after a sponsorship deal with . The inaugural men's game took place on November 14, 1997, when the hosted at Cox Arena, drawing a crowd to the new 12,414-seat venue. This event marked the start of regular programming, with the arena quickly becoming the primary home for Aztecs and hosting university commencements alongside other cultural gatherings.

Naming Rights and Renovations

The arena opened in 1997 as , named after , which held the until July 1, 2009. On March 17, 2009, announced a 10-year agreement with the Viejas Band of Indians, renaming the venue Viejas Arena effective July 1, 2009; the deal was valued at approximately $6 million and provided marketing support for SDSU events while promoting the tribe without referencing its casino operations. In June 2018, Associated Students and extended the agreement for another 10 years, through June 30, 2029. Key updates to the arena's infrastructure include the October 29, 2015, dedication of the basketball court as Steve Fisher Court, honoring longtime SDSU men's basketball head coach Steve Fisher for his 17 seasons leading the program. On April 4, 2024, SDSU Athletics and Associated Students initiated a renovation study to enhance fan experiences, targeting expansions to the main concourse, new social spaces, improved food and beverage options, and potential capacity modifications. As of November 2025, no major renovation work has been completed from this study.

Sports Events

College Basketball

Viejas Arena has served as the primary home venue for the San Diego State Aztecs men's and women's basketball teams since its opening in 1997, when both programs relocated from the smaller Peterson Gym on campus. The men's team, under coaches like Steve Fisher, has achieved significant success at the arena, securing nine Mountain West Conference regular-season titles and seven tournament championships, while making 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the 2023 Final Four. The women's program has also thrived, capturing multiple conference titles, such as the 2025 Mountain West Tournament championship in a triple-overtime victory over Wyoming, and earning 10 NCAA Tournament berths, with their most recent in 2025. The arena's court is named after Fisher in recognition of his contributions to the program's growth. The venue has frequently hosted NCAA Tournament games, enhancing its prominence in . It accommodated the men's first and second rounds in 2006, 2018, and 2022, and is scheduled to do so again in 2026; additionally, it hosted the men's second and third rounds in 2014, and the women's first and second rounds in 2009. These events have drawn large crowds and showcased high-stakes matchups, such as UCLA's third-round win over in 2014. Viejas Arena is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, particularly due to "The Show," the dedicated student section comprising about 2,500 seats behind the visiting team's basket, which creates an intimidating, high-energy environment through coordinated chants and traditions. This fervor contributes to strong home-court advantages, with the men's team averaging over 12,000 fans per game in recent seasons, including sellouts during key victories like clinching conference titles. Notable moments tied to the venue include the men's team's 30-0 home record during the 2017-18 season and the women's 2025 conference final, both amplified by the crowd's intensity.

Other Athletic Competitions

Viejas Arena has served as the home venue for select teams beyond . In 2007, it hosted the San Diego Shockwave of the for their inaugural and only season, where the team compiled a 10-1 regular-season record before being declared the league champion, though the league folded shortly thereafter without playoffs due to internal issues. Since the 2024 season, the arena has been the primary home for the Mojo of the , a professional women's league. The team, owned in part by legend , plays a 14-game home schedule at Viejas Arena each season, drawing on the venue's configuration for indoor court sports with a capacity supporting up to 12,414 spectators. The arena has also hosted significant national championships in other sports. In December 2001, Viejas Arena (then known as Cox Arena) was the site of the Women's Volleyball Final Four, accommodating semifinals on December 13 and the championship match on December 15. Logistics included a standard 64-team bracket culminating in , with the venue's floor setup converted for play and attendance exceeding 5,000 for key sessions. In the semifinals, top-seeded Stanford defeated No. 2 3-0 (31-29, 30-28, 30-21), while No. 4 Long Beach State defeated No. 3 3-0 (30-27, 30-25, 30-20); Stanford then claimed the title with a 3-0 sweep of Long Beach State (31-29, 30-28, 30-25), marking Stanford's fifth and the first under coach John Dunning. In addition to these marquee events, Viejas Arena occasionally hosts regional athletic competitions and high school tournaments, leveraging its versatile facilities for sports like indoor and multi-team formats, though specific instances are less frequently documented compared to its basketball programming. For example, in June 2025, it accommodated the AVP League's indoor tournament, importing tons of sand to create temporary courts for professional and developmental matches.

Entertainment Programming

Concerts

Viejas Arena has established itself as a premier venue for live music in , hosting a wide array of performances since its opening that draw thousands of fans for high-energy shows across various genres. The arena's central location on the campus facilitates accessibility for both local and touring acts, contributing to its reputation for sold-out events and dynamic productions. Among the notable concerts, the arena served as the sold-out opener for and Billy Joel's Face to Face 2001 tour on January 19, 2001, marking a historic moment in its early programming with a capacity crowd of over 12,000. performed multiple times, including the venue's inaugural on December 12, 1997, during their , where Joe Perry acknowledged the honor to the audience. performed at the arena on August 26, 2007, during tour, delivering a dynamic set praised by reviewers. Lady Gaga's early career appearances included on March 29, 2011, featuring elaborate staging and choreography for a crowd of thousands. More recently, Doja Cat's stop on November 5, 2023, with opening act , highlighted the venue's appeal to contemporary hip-hop audiences and sold out rapidly. The arena showcases genre diversity, accommodating rock acts like Aerosmith's high-octane performances, pop spectacles from artists such as and , hip-hop shows exemplified by Doja Cat's energetic setlists, and country tours including , , and on August 5, 2000, which was hailed as one of the most significant in country music history. Recent sold-out events by contemporary artists, such as on September 27, 2025, during his Truth to Power Tour, further demonstrate this breadth, with rock examples including Megadeth's thrash metal shows in the . In 2024, performed a farewell tour stop on November 20, featuring hits like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Earlier in 2025, brought their to the arena on August 10. For concerts, the arena employs flexible configurations, primarily end-stage setups accommodating up to 12,200 attendees, though center-stage arrangements expand capacity to 12,845 for immersive experiences. Technical adaptations include a robust sound system supplemented by eight subwoofers that direct low-end frequencies through the , enhancing bass impact for rock and electronic music events during artist entrances and performances. These features, combined with variable seating that adjusts from the standard 12,414 capacity, optimize acoustics and sightlines for music productions.

Wrestling and Media Productions

Viejas Arena has served as a prominent venue for events, particularly those produced by major promotions during the late and . One of the earliest high-profile wrestling spectacles held there was World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) Bash at the Beach on July 12, 1998, which drew an attendance of approximately 10,000 fans and featured marquee matches including versus , with celebrity involvement from and . This event highlighted the arena's capacity to host large-scale, televised wrestling productions during WCW's peak popularity in the Monday Night Wars era. Throughout the late 1990s, the arena also hosted multiple episodes of WCW's flagship weekly program, Monday Nitro, contributing to the promotion's regional presence in . In later years, (TNA) selected Viejas Arena for its Bound for Glory pay-per-view on October 20, 2013, TNA's premier annual event, where A.J. Styles defeated Bully Ray in the main event to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a no-disqualification match before around 3,000 spectators. More recently, (AEW) taped an episode of its program on May 31, 2023, marking the promotion's debut at the venue and featuring key matches such as and defeating and Saraya in the main event. These events underscore the arena's recurring role in , adapting its configuration to accommodate ringside setups and fan interactions. The venue's media production capabilities have supported the broadcasting of these wrestling events, with extensive camera rigs and lighting arrays facilitating live and television coverage. For instance, the 1998 Bash at the Beach utilized multiple camera angles to capture in-ring action and crowd reactions, enhancing its appeal as a national PPV broadcast. Viejas Arena's production amenities, including high-resolution video boards, further enable seamless integration of graphics and replays during such televised spectacles. Beyond wrestling, the arena hosts university functions and cultural events for , such as commencement ceremonies and multicultural festivals, alongside special productions like comedy specials and award shows. However, its infrastructure has proven particularly suited to wrestling's performative demands, allowing for recurring high-energy events that blend athleticism with entertainment media.

References

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