Torero Stadium

{{Infobox venue

| stadium_name = Torero Stadium

| nickname =

| image = Torero stadium soccer game.jpeg

| image_size = 250

| caption =

| address = 5998 Alcala Park Way

| location = San Diego, California

| coordinates = {{coord|32.7731|-117.1837|type:landmark_region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}

| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|zoom=15|type=point}}

| pushpin_map =

| pushpin_map_caption =

| pushpin_mapsize = 240

| pushpin_label = San Diego

| pushpin_relief = yes

| broke_ground = 1961

| opened = {{start date and age|1961}}

| owner = University of San Diego

| operator = University of San Diego

| surface = Grass

| construction_cost =

| architect =

| tenants = {{plainlist|

;American football

San Diego Toreros (NCAA) (1961–present)

; Rugby union

San Diego Breakers (PRO) (2016)
San Diego Legion (MLR) (2018–2021, 2024–present)

; Soccer

San Diego Toreros (NCAA) (1961–present)
San Diego Spirit (WUSA) (2001–2003)
San Diego United (NPSL) (2009)
San Diego Loyal SC (USLC) (2020–2023)
San Diego Wave FC (NWSL) (2022)

; Lacrosse

California Redwoods (PLL) (2024–present)

}}

| seating_capacity = 6,000

| dimensions = {{convert|72|by|118|yd}}

| website = {{url|https://usdtoreros.com/sports/2018/5/23/facilities-torero-stadium-html.aspx|usdtoreros.com/stadium}}

}}Torero Stadium is an outdoor stadium in San Diego, California, located on the campus of the University of San Diego (USD). Opened in 1961, it is the home of the San Diego Toreros football and men's and women's soccer teams. The Toreros compete in NCAA Division I (FCS) as a member of the Pioneer Football League (PFL) for football and the West Coast Conference (WCC) for soccer. The stadium is also the home of the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the California Redwoods of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL).

History

Torero Stadium is the former home of San Diego Loyal SC of the USL Championship. It also served as the home of San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League for most of its inaugural 2022 season{{Cite web |date=2021-06-08 |title=Women's pro soccer coming to San Diego in 2022 |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/story/2021-06-08/soccer-nwsl-womens-pro-soccer-expansion-team-san-diego-jill-ellis-ron-burkle-torero-stadium-wusa-spirit |access-date=2021-11-01 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2021 |title=Women's pro soccer coming to San Diego in 2022 |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/story/2021-06-08/soccer-nwsl-womens-pro-soccer-expansion-team-san-diego-jill-ellis-ron-burkle-torero-stadium-wusa-spirit |access-date=June 8, 2021}} before the team moved to San Diego State University's Snapdragon Stadium, which opened in September 2022.{{cite news |last=Herrera |first=Sandra |date=December 15, 2021 |title=NWSL expansion team San Diego Wave FC unveil official crest |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nwsl/news/nwsl-expansion-team-san-diego-wave-fc-unveil-official-crest/ |accessdate=January 4, 2022 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} Additionally, it was the home of the San Diego Breakers rugby team.

The stadium has hosted Major League Soccer and Liga MX exhibition games for the LA Galaxy, Club Tijuana, Toronto FC and Chivas USA.[http://www.sandiego.edu/insideusd/?p=27562 "Torero Stadium Prepares for National Close-up"], November 27, 2012. The U.S. women's national soccer team has played friendlies at the stadium. The WUSA San Diego Spirit women's soccer team played at Torero from 2001 to 2003. Torero Stadium hosted the 2012 women's college cup soccer tournament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.com/game/soccer-women/d1/2012/12/02/north-carolina-penn-st|title=North Carolina vs Penn State DI Women's Soccer Game Summary - December 2nd, 2012 | NCAA.com|website=www.ncaa.com}}

Since 2002, the stadium has hosted The First 4 men's college lacrosse invitational. The New England Patriots used the stadium as their practice facility for the week leading up to their game with the San Diego Chargers on December 7, 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/12/04/patriots-get-work-practice-field-san-diego/6qH1q7vDQyGP93uHRky8TP/story.html|title=Patriots get to work on the practice field in San Diego |first=Michael|last=Whitmer|date=4 December 2014|work=The Boston Globe|language=en-US|access-date=August 5, 2019}}

In 2024, the California Redwoods of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) announced San Diego as their home market, with plans to use Torero Stadium as their venue for home games.

Facilities and renovations

The south stands feature approximately 1,100 bleacher seats with backs and with press box facilities. The east and north stands are all bleacher seating – the north stands hold about 3,000 fans and the stands behind the east end hold approximately 1,900. The playing surface is "Bandera" Bermuda grass, with soccer dimensions measuring {{convert|118|x|72|yd}}, with football conforming to NCAA regulations.

The stadium underwent two phases of renovation to host the former WUSA San Diego Spirit. Over $3.5 million was spent to enlarge the seating areas and add spectator comforts.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

In 2001, the installation of the upgraded lighting system took place. The final steps included the paving of the pedestrian walkway that curves around three-quarters of the stadium and the installation of a new sound system and a video board and scoreboard.