San Diego Wave mull new stadium over Snapdragon Stadium raw deal

Article posted by Coliseum, November 5^th, 2026

Image: Snapdragon Stadium, Spatms, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ever since the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team San Diego Wave FC set up shop in San Diego in 2022 tens of thousands of fans have packed the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California (US) making them one of the country’s most successful women’s soccer teams.

Serious Concerns

‘fox5sandiego.com’ stated that but inside the club’s ownership team there are serious concerns about the current arrangement at the Snapdragon Stadium.

Lack of Respect

The owners are feeling a certain lack of respect under the current arrangement and they’re now exploring a possible move to Del Mar (city in California).

The San Diego Wave Fútbol Club is an American professional soccer team based in San Diego (US) that competes in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the highest level of the United States soccer league system.

The 35,000-seat Snapdragon Stadium is a multipurpose stadium in San Diego, California (US) located on the campus of the San Diego State University (SDSU). It is the home of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team San Diego Wave FC.

Own Stadium

‘fox5sandiego.com’ further stated that the feelings are so deep that the team leaders have proposed breaking away and building their own stadium, potentially on the Del Mar Fairgrounds (event venue in Del Mar, California).

‘Fourth-class Citizens’

Opined Zach Leichtman-Levine, Co-Owner, San Diego Wave FC, “And what we have learned along the way as the owners of this team is that women tend to be considered second, third and even fourth-class citizens.”

Mincing No Words

During a formal proposal to the Board of Directors at the Del Mar Fairgrounds the owners of the San Diego Wave FC did not mince words and hold back their feelings.

Give Short Shrift

As a women’s team, although extremely successful, they believe they’re last on the list of priorities when it comes to picking dates and times for their games at the Snapdragon Stadium because they are women.

Raw Treatment

Added Leichtman-Levine, “What we found at the Snapdragon Stadium is something resembling a fourth-class citizen. We are fourth on the list for selecting game dates and times.”

As a property of San Diego State, Aztec Football, the men’s professional soccer and rock concerts tend to be the top three priorities with the b falling to fourth, the owners say.

Going so far as to propose a design and a potential location on the Del Mar Fairgrounds property.

Leaving Snapdragon Stadium

The owners are looking to potenti
ally leave the Snapdragon Stadium with 34,000 seats and build their own stadium on a smaller, more personal scale.

‘High-level Design’

Continued Leichtman-Levine, “So, this is a high-level design that has not yet fully flushed out. But, as we looked at the site we wanted to put something in front of you to see and this could be the design we go for.”

Instant Success

Midway through the season and preparing for the playoffs after recently clinching a postseason spot the Wave FC has been an instant success on the field and with the fans.

Underscored Leichtman-Levine, “What we are looking for, as I mentioned, is a home for women’s sports. We believe the Wave is the number one recognized women’s soccer team in the world. And what we hope to do is have a home to support women’s sports as we have done for a number of years as a family.”

‘Valued Partnership’

Stated Sam Legg, Director of Communication, San Diego Wave FC, “The San Diego Wave FC is proud to call the Snapdragon Stadium home and remain committed to our long-term agreement and valued partnership with the San Diego State University. The concept shared with the 22^nd District Agricultural Association represents an early exploration of what’s possible. We look forward to continuing those conversations with the Fairgrounds Board, the city of Del Mar, our fans, and the broader community.”

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