The controlling owners of San Diego Wave FC, Lauren Leichtman and Zachary Leichtman-Levine, have pitched a massive multi-use development at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The plan features a dedicated soccer stadium alongside a hotel, convention center, and retail spaces to create a permanent home for the club.
Escaping the shadow of Snapdragon Stadium's 30,000 seats
San Diego Wave FC currently plays its home matches at Snapdragon Stadium, a venue with a capacity exceeding 30,000. However, the club's average attendance of approximately 12,000 fans per game suggests the venue is often too large to maintain the intimate atmosphere desired by the team and its supporters.
The mismatch between the 30 ,000-seat capacity and the 12,000-person average attendance creates a visual and acoustic void that can diminish the energy of a professional match. A smaller,purpose-built stadium would allow the club to concentrate its fan base, potentially driving up the perceived intesnity of the match-day experience.
Beyond capacity issues, the club faces significant scheduling hurdles at its current home. As reported by the source, San Diego State University athletics and SDFC hold priority for game dates, which often leaves the Wave with less desirable day and time options for their matches.
A multi-use hub for the 324-acre Del Mar property
The Leichtman-Levine proposal seeks to transform the southeast corner of the state-owned Del Mar Fairgrounds into a dedicated soccer district. The plan includes a 12,000-to-16,000 seat stadium, a 300-room hotel, and a 125,000-square-foot convention center.
To support the new infrastructure, the owners have also proposed 350,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and a parking structure capable of holding 1,300 cars.. While the Wave owners would fund the development, the 22nd District Agricultural Association (DAA) would provide the land for the project, which is situated on the 324-acre property.
This massive footprint is designed to turn the fairgrounds into a year-round destination rather than a seasonal venue. By integrating a 125,000-square-foot convention center with 350,000 square feet of retail, the owners are looking to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that generates revenue even on non-match days.
The 2031 timeline for the Leichtman-Levine vision
The owners have requested an exclusive two-year negotiating period from the DAA to develop more detailed plans. According to the proposal, the project would follow a phased rollout beginning with the stadium opening in 2031.
Following the stadium's debut,the development would expand to include retail shops and restaurants in 2032. The final phase, featuring the hotel and convention center, is slated for completion in 2033.
Who will approve the Del Mar land-use shift?
While the club has expressed excitement about the concept, several critical questions remain regarding the project's feasibility. it is currently unknown how the City of Del Mar will respond to the proposed increase in commercial density or what specific environmental hurdles the DAA might present during the two-year negotiation period.
Furthermore, the source notes that the Wave remains committed to its long-term partnership with San Diego State University.. This creates a lingering question about how the club will manage its existing obligations at Snapdragon Stadium while simultaneously pursuing a permanent, independent home at the fairgrounds.
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