Sacramento State Hornet Stadium revamp

Image: Hughes Stadium, Indolences, Public Domain

Sacramento State has unveiled plans to construct a new state-of-the-art football and multi-use stadium that will replace the current temporary stands at Hornet Stadium.

Hornet Sports, the university’s athletics department, said the multi-sport facility will be designed to host football, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s rugby.

The stadium will also host collegiate, professional and international competitions, NCAA championships, concerts, club sports and other events including Commencement and Convocation.

California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State), is a four-year, regional comprehensive university located in the capital of the state with the fifth-largest economy in the world.

Sac State President Luke Wood said, “Today marks a significant milestone for Sacramento State.

“The construction of this new, multi-use stadium will take our athletic game experiences to a new level. The stadium will benefit multiple sports teams including football, soccer and rugby. The feasibility study completed in 2023 shows we not only need the improvements, but we have so much more we can offer our campus and community with a new stadium.”

The campus has engaged architecture firm Populous to create the conceptual design for the stadium, which will be located at the site of the current Hornet Stadium.

The stadium will accommodate a minimum of 25,000 attendees and will feature improved student and visitor seating sections, premium seating and boxes, and improved restroom and concession facilities.

Mark Orr, Sac State director of Athletics, said, “This new, state-of-the-art multi-purpose stadium will be more than just an amazing home to our Hornet athletic teams. It will serve as an entertainment hub for many types of events for all Sacramento State students, alumni, fans and community members to enjoy.

“It will also have a significant positive impact on our ability to attract and retain student-athletes to compete for championship success at a national level.”

Carolyn Gibbs, chair of the Sacramento State Faculty Senate, said she shared President Wood’s enthusiasm for the new stadium and praised it as an opportunity to “strengthen our region’s appeal as a hub for major gatherings, enriching our university and the broader community.”

Gibbs said, “With this new facility, we will not only continue our tradition of hosting national and international sporting events, but also create opportunities for faculty and students to engage in large-scale academic and cultural programming, offering a space for learning, celebration and community-building.”

Hornet Stadium was originally built in 1969 with a capacity of 6,000 seats. The temporary stadium was upgraded in 1992 prior to the arrival of the Sacramento Surge of the World League, which more than tripled seating to its current total of 21,195.

Along with serving as the home to Sacramento State football and the Surge, the venue has also hosted the Sacramento Gold Miners of the Canadian Football League and the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League.

Hornet Stadium has also been the site of the 2000 and 2004 United States Track & Field Olympic Trials and the NCAA Div. I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Nataly Andrade-Dominguez, president of Associated Students, Inc., called the new stadium “a significant step forward for our school spirit and a testament to our commitment to enhancing student life.

“This will not only boost our athletic capacity but also provide a multi-space that benefits the entire campus and city community,” she said.

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