Viejas Arena

Viejas Arena
Map
Former namesCox Arena at Aztec Bowl (1997–2009)
Location5500 Canyon Crest Drive
San Diego, CA 92115
Coordinates32°46′25.5″N 117°4′28.5″W / 32.773750°N 117.074583°W / 32.773750; -117.074583
Public transitSDSU Transit Center
OwnerSan Diego State University
OperatorSan Diego State University
Associated Students of SDSU
Capacity12,414 (basketball)
12,845 (center stage concerts)
12,200 (end stage concerts)
Construction
Broke groundMarch 27, 1995
OpenedJuly 24, 1997 (26 years ago) (1997-07-24)[1]
Construction cost$29 million
($52.9 million in 2022 dollars[2])
ArchitectSink Combs Dethlefs
Carrier Johnson[3]
Structural engineerMartin/Martin[3]
Services engineerM-E Engineers, Inc.[4]
General contractorBlake Construction Co., Inc[3]
Tenants
San Diego State Aztecs (NCAA) (1997–present)
San Diego Shockwave (NIFL) (2007)
San Diego Mojo (PVF) (2024–present)
Website
https://as.sdsu.edu/viejas_arena/

Viejas Arena (officially Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl) is an indoor arena in San Diego, California, located on the campus of San Diego State University. The arena is home of the San Diego State Aztecs men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the San Diego Mojo of the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF). The arena opened in 1997 and hosts a capacity of 12,414.

History

Opened in 1997, Viejas Arena has provided a venue for athletic games, entertainment, and concerts for decades. The arena is built on the site of the old Aztec Bowl stadium, which hosted San Diego State Aztecs football games as well as other athletic games, entertainment, and cultural events from the time of its construction in 1936 until 1967.

Viejas Arena is built directly into a canyon hillside, and encloses one end of the old horseshoe-shaped Aztec Bowl. Two sections of the stadium's original concrete bleachers and cobblestone walls can be seen from each side of the arena's north entrance. The arena features an "open-air" concourse design that allows patrons to experience breaks, concessions, and event activities outdoors.

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

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 the Aztec Bowl on June 6, 1963.

On October 29, 2015, the basketball court was named Steve Fisher Court after men's basketball head coach Steve Fisher.[5]

Events

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 and will host the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball first and second rounds.

In 2007, the arena was the home of the San Diego Shockwave indoor football team for one season.[6]

Viejas Arena has also hosted television events such as WCW's Bash at the Beach in 1998 and various episodes of WCW Monday Nitro.[7][8] The arena hosted TNA Wrestling's Bound For Glory pay-per-view event on October 20, 2013. Viejas 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.

Viejas Arena is used as a large concert venue where major musical acts perform.[9] Viejas Arena has hosted concerts for artists such as Cher, Eric Clapton, Britney Spears, John Mayer, The Chainsmokers, Black Eyed Peas, and Aerosmith. In the spring of 2001, Billy Joel and Elton John opened their Face to Face world tour with a sold-out show at the arena.

See also

References

  1. ^ Wesch, Hank (July 25, 1997). "It's an Arena. SDSU Shows Off New Baby". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Raker-Beam Construction Requires Rugged Steel Forms
  4. ^ M-E Engineers Projects - Sports (archived)
  5. ^ Union-Tribune, San Diego. "Viejas floor named Steve Fisher Court". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved 2016-11-08.
  6. ^ Stadiums in the United States at worldstadiums.com, URL accessed November 24, 2009. Archived 11/24/09
  7. ^ "Bash at the Beach 1998". Pro Wrestling History. July 12, 1998. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  8. ^ Wong, Alex. "Remembering When the Rodman-Malone NBA Finals Feud in 1998 Led to a WCW Match". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
  9. ^ Viejas Arena at goaztecs.cstv.com, URL accessed November 24, 2009. Archived 11/24/09

External links

  • Viejas Arena - official page
  • Page on goaztecs.com
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