Snapdragon Stadium was the site of the NLL’s Stadium Showdown this month, taking the indoor game outside.getty images
No. 18: San Diego
Score: 37.7
San Diego, with nine sports properties, had a high net positive sentiment score from executives in our study and is considered to be a market on an upward trajectory. San Diego State football’s new Snapdragon Stadium, which is also home to San Diego Wave FC and San Diego Legion (Major League Rugby), is viewed as a template for other college football redevelopments, and in June will host 30 countries at the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship. Additionally, the under-construction 7,600-seat Frontwave Arena will help the recently formed Sports San Diego in luring events to town.
The city’s cost of housing is more than double the national average, but the 12.5% room tax is well below nearly every sports market.
Sponsors (20): Sponsors Frontwave Credit Union, Jenny Craig, Petco and Qualcomm are active locally. The market is also home to JMI Sports, Brandiose and others.
What they’re saying: “San Diego’s sports business climate doesn’t miss the Chargers or Qualcomm Stadium one bit.” — D.B.
