Where do the SJ Earthquakes play?

Where Do the San Jose Earthquakes Play? Let’s Talk About Their Home Turf

So, you want to know where the San Jose Earthquakes play? Well, these days you can catch them tearing up the pitch at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. It’s been their home since 2015, and let me tell you, it’s a pretty cool spot for a soccer game. But there’s a bit more to the story than just that.

PayPal Park: A Stadium with a Story

Originally, this place wasn’t called PayPal Park at all. When it first opened its doors back in February 2015, it was known as Avaya Stadium. Then, for a brief period in 2020, it was simply Earthquakes Stadium. Finally, in 2021, PayPal stepped up with a 10-year deal, giving us the name we know today. The whole thing cost around $100 million to build, and the club footed most of the bill. They broke ground in October 2012, and after about three years of hard work, the stadium was ready for action. I remember driving by during construction and being so excited to finally have a proper soccer venue in San Jose! The design was inspired by those awesome, compact European stadiums, and it really shows. The seating is super steep, which means you get a great view of the game no matter where you’re sitting.

What Makes PayPal Park Special?

Okay, so PayPal Park isn’t the biggest stadium in MLS. With a capacity of around 18,000, it’s actually the smallest. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in atmosphere. The canopy roof really traps the sound, making the place absolutely electric when the Quakes are playing well. And have you seen that massive outdoor bar at the north end? It’s the largest in North America! Plus, there’s a two-acre fan zone and a double-sided video scoreboard. Talk about a party! If you’re feeling fancy, you can even snag a field-level suite or club seat. And get this: in 2021, they upgraded the field to a fancy SISGrass hybrid surface. It’s a mix of real grass and synthetic fibers, so the players always have a top-notch surface to play on.

More Than Just a Soccer Stadium

But PayPal Park isn’t just for the Earthquakes. The Bay FC, a brand-new team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), also calls it home. It’s really becoming a hub for soccer in the Bay Area. And it’s not just about club soccer either. The stadium has hosted all sorts of events, from international friendlies to World Cup Qualifiers, and even the 2016 MLS All-Star Game. The idea is to make PayPal Park a real community gathering place, a spot where local businesses and residents can come together.

The Heartbeat of the Stadium: The Supporters

No discussion about PayPal Park is complete without mentioning the fans. The Earthquakes have two main supporters’ groups that bring the noise and passion to every game. You’ve got the San Jose Ultras, who’ve been around since 2003 and occupy sections 117 and 118, also known as the South Supporters Terrace. These guys are hardcore. Then there’s the Seismic Union, formed in 2021, which brings together a bunch of smaller fan groups in the North Terrace, including the Faultline, Epicentro74, and The Casbah. These supporters groups are what make the game-day experience so special. Their singing, chanting, and overall dedication to the team is infectious.

Look, the attendance numbers might go up and down, but the atmosphere at PayPal Park is always something special, thanks to those die-hard fans. If you ever get the chance to catch a San Jose Earthquakes game there, do it. You won’t regret it.