Last Update:
September 2, 2024
Originally known as Avaya Stadium, the venue opened in February 2015 after almost eight years of planning. It is the home of Major League Soccer franchise San Jose Earthquakes. The $100m facility was largely financed by the club selling options on the land they owned. It features a seating pattern comprising three different shades of blue and a hint of red, paying homage to the club’s North American Soccer League history, with the message ‘Go EQ’ etched in binary.
The facility was opened in San Jose Earthquakes’ final preseason match in 2015 against Los Angeles Galaxy, with the regular-season opener against Chicago Fire following shortly after. Several men’s and women’s United States national team matches have also been played at the stadium, as well as various other sporting events, including the Ultimate Frisbee 2015 AUDL Championship and matches of the 2019 Premier Lacrosse League campaign. The 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup was also staged at PayPal Park.
In 2021, the stadium was officially renamed PayPal Park thanks to a ten-year sponsorship deal.
The club’s biggest and most renowned supporters’ group is the San Jose Ultras. They occupy the standing-only section of the stadium behind the south goal, known as the Supporters Terrace. Also in the Supporters Terrace is The Faultline. Other groups include the Casbah, the traditional supporters’ group of the San Jose Earthquakes dating back to the inception of the MLS franchise in 1996, who can be found in the north side of the stadium.
Season tickets and group memberships can be found here.
Lux Bus: On matchday, Lux Buses will loop from the corner of St. John and Market Street near San Pedro Square to the corner of Earthquakes Way and Coleman Ave. The buses will be complimentary for all fans heading to the match. Fans can also use this service to return to Downtown San Jose by boarding the buses on Earthquakes Way outside of the stadium’s main gate after the final whistle.
Caltrain: Take the Caltrain to the Santa Clara station.
BART: Take BART to the Millbrae Transit Station and transfer to Caltrain heading southbound towards San Jose.
Driving
From San Jose: Take Highway 87 Northbound, and merge onto Highway 101 Northbound. Take the Trimble Rd/De La Cruz Blvd exit 391, then merge left onto W Trimble Rd. to continue onto De La Cruz Blvd. Take a slight left onto Coleman Ave.
From San Francisco/North Peninsula: Take Highway 101 Southbound, before taking the De La Cruz Blvd. exit. Merge onto W Trimble Rd. to continue onto De La Cruz Blvd, and take a slight left onto Coleman Ave. (following signs for San Jose)
From Morgan Hill: Take Highway 101 Northbound, and take the Trimble Rd./De La Cruz Blvd. exit 391. Merge left onto W Trimble Rd. to continue onto De La Cruz Blvd, before taking a slight left onto Coleman Ave.
From Los Altos: Take I-280 Southbound, merge onto I-880 Northbound, take Exit 3, Coleman Ave./Mineta SJ Airport Exit, and turn right onto Coleman Ave.
From Walnut Creek: Take I-680 Southbound, before taking the exit at Mission Blvd. West. Merge onto I-880 Southbound, exit at Coleman Ave/Mineta SJ Airport, and turn right onto Coleman Ave.
From Oakland/East Bay: Take I-880 Southbound, take Exit 3, Coleman Ave./Mineta SJ Airport Exit, and turn right onto Coleman Ave.
From Santa Cruz: Take Highway 17 Northbound (CA-17 North becomes I-880 North), then take the Coleman Ave. exit, and turn right onto Coleman Ave.
Given the stadium’s proximity to San Jose International Airport, there are several accommodation options in the area. Best Western Plus Airport Plaza is perhaps the nearest hotel to PayPal Park, and its prices per night start at around $104. Located right next to Santa Clara University and Santa Clara train station is Sonesta Simply Suites Silicon Valley Santa Clara, which is available for around $111 per night. Also nearby is DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Jose, with prices starting around $97 per night.
The largest outdoor bar in the entirety of North America can be found at the north end of PayPal Park, covering 3,647 square feet and boasting 45 beer taps. There is also World of Beers at the opposite end of the ground. The club also have food and drinks partnerships with companies, including Tacomania, Left Bank, LB Steak, and Meso.
There are several fast food outlets next to the Santa Clara University Campus, including McDonald’s, In-N-Out Burger and Taco Bell, while inside the stadium there are also a number of places to eat.
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