By Daniel Wilson

September 26, 2024

Sacramento State announced today that the University will build a new state-of-the-art, multi-use sports and entertainment venue to replace Hornet Stadium and better position Hornet Athletics as a top program.

Sac State President Luke Wood, Athletics Director Mark Orr and Head Football Coach Andy Thompson made the announcement to a large group of media and members of the campus community assembled in the Welcome Center, where they spoke about the opportunities a new stadium will create for the University and beyond.

“The stadium is a commitment to our belief that Sacramento has a spirit and passion to turn this city into a college football town,” Wood said. “It will be a stadium worthy of Sacramento State's academic and athletic prowess, and it will also honor our position as one of the top media markets in the country. We are excited about what the future will bring and can't wait to open our new stadium.”

The new stadium is being designed by Missouri-based architecture firm Populous, which has worked on world-renowned facilities including Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, Oracle Park, Wimbledon and The Sphere in Las Vegas.

Sac State’s new stadium will be able to accommodate football, soccer and rugby, as well as professional and international competitions, club and other collegiate sports, NCAA championships, concerts and more.

“It’s about time we build a stadium worthy of this community and this campus, and I couldn’t be happier,” Orr said. “This is a tremendous step for this University. This stadium will have a profound effect on our community. I couldn't be more excited about the future and impact it has on our athletic programs and our student-athletes.”

The new stadium’s horseshoe design will seat a minimum of 25,000 throughout its student and premium seating sections and boxes. The current stadium seats about 21,000 people. The increased capacity also makes the new facility a potential venue for future Commencement and Convocation ceremonies.

“When everybody's pulling in the same direction, it's magical. We are so fortunate that that's taking place with this project.” -- Mark Orr, Sac State Athletics director

A recently released feasibility study as well as the president’s listening sessions informed the decision to upgrade athletic facilities, which also includes now underway renovations to The WELL basketball gym.

“The things that we're doing are meant to continue to improve our program,” Wood said. “No matter what our future holds, we would need to be moving forward with upgrades to athletic facilities anyhow.”

The new stadium’s construction is funded by money allocated for Athletics, including sponsorships and donor funds, Wood said, adding that none of the stadium’s funding will come from the University’s general fund nor will it have any impact on other campus programs or projects.

“As with all state institutions, we are under tough budgetary times,” Wood said. “Everyone across the state has had to tighten their belts, (but) unlike many (other) institutions, we’re not experiencing an enrollment decline. We're in a good position, and this is a project that won't be affecting the underlying budget for Sacramento State.”

Hornet Stadium was originally constructed in 1969, replacing what was then called Campus Stadium. The temporary facility accommodated just 6,000 spectators until it was upgraded in 1992 for the Sacramento Surge of the World League.

In addition to the highly successful Hornet Football program, which won Big Sky Conference championships in 2019, 2021 and 2022, the stadium has hosted many sporting and other events over the years, including Olympic track and field trials and championships, the Junior Olympics, the Sacramento Surge of the World League, and most recently, the Homeless World Cup.

Hornet Athletics includes 21 teams, 10 of which competed in conference championships last season, with seven bringing home championship trophies.

“I just appreciate (President Wood’s and Mark Orr’s) dedication to making things the very best for our student-athletes. and as coaches, that's all we ask is to try to give our very best for our student-athletes,” Thompson said. “We’ve got a game this Saturday that we're looking at, but today's about this University moving forward and being able to offer the best facilities.”

Wood said renderings of the new stadium, which will begin construction at the end of the current season, will be released in the coming weeks along with other details.

Orr said the new stadium is a testament to what can be achieved when everyone works together, including campus and city leaders, students, faculty, staff and the entire Hornet Family.

“When everybody's pulling in the same direction, it's magical,” he said. “We are so fortunate that that's taking place with this project.”

To learn more about the new stadium, including how to support the project, visit the Sac State website.