SDSU Lease at SDCCU Stadium Extended Two Years

Updated as of August 14, 2018, 10:10 a.m.

San Diego State University today extended its lease with the City of San Diego to allow the university to continue playing football at SDCCU Stadium through the 2020 season.

A sizable group dozens of individuals representing students, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni and community members attended the meeting in support of SDSU.

“I want to thank the mayor and members of the City Council for their time and support of our lease extension,” said SDSU President Adela de la Torre. “Today’s decision is about much more than sports. For San Diego State University, football and other community events serve as the front porch for the university. They allow us to recruit extraordinary students and scholar-athletes who will graduate to become global citizens, ethical innovators and compassionate leaders who impact the San Diego region and beyond.” 

As part of the lease terms, SDSU will pay $1.1 million per season and all of the game-day operating costs associated with the university’s use of the stadium, where it has been a tenant since 1967. Additionally, all net concessions and parking revenue generated during Aztec football games will go directly to the City to assist in covering the operating costs of the stadium year-round.

“During our negotiations, we always placed a high importance on assisting the City in reducing its financial investment in the stadium,” said Tom McCarron, SDSU vice president for Business and Financial Affairs and chief financial officer. “The agreement approved today acknowledges our commitment to being a good partner with the City. We appreciate the City’s continued support and investment in SDSU.”

In addition to the annual rent and revenue obligations, SDSU will also assist the City in marketing the stadium and finding additional revenue-generating events.

The two-year lease extension provides SDSU with a short-term solution until the long-term future of the stadium site is determined.

“I appreciate all of the time City staff, the Mayor’s office, City Council and university staff have dedicated to securing the lease extension for SDSU football to continue playing at SDCCU, their home field for the past 51 years,” said SDSU Athletic Director John David Wicker. “We look forward to continuing to work with stadium personnel to bring exciting opportunities to the San Diego community through events at SDCCU.”

Hundreds of thousands of fans attended SDSU football games last season when the Aztecs went 10-2 during the regular season and played in the Armed Forces Bowl. 

“I want to thank everyone who worked diligently on the SDCCU Stadium lease extension,” head football coach Rocky Long said. “I appreciate the hard work of the entire University staff, including athletic director John David Wicker, vice president Tom McCarron and assistant vice president Gina Jacobs, as well as the City Council. The whole city benefits from today’s decision. I look forward to returning to campus and focusing on our first practice of the season tonight.”