SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today a series of enhancements for Earthquakes Stadium starting in the 2020 MLS season. Upgrades and improvements include auditory assistance for fans with hearing challenges, roaming beer vendors, and new artwork.
We Bring the Beer to You
In addition to the traditional ways of getting food and beverages, fans in attendance at Earthquakes Stadium will find a new convenient option: roaming concessionaires selling beer in the seats. Earthquakes Stadium will also become the first to carry Russian River Brewing Company offerings, including Blind Pig for all home matches and Pliny the Elder at select games.
New Beer Options
Earthquakes Stadium will feature new beer options, including roughly 30 varieties of draft beers available on match day.
New Food Options Courtesy of Spectra
Earthquakes Stadium is building on its fan experience by adding new food options for the 2020 season.
New menu items include:
- Churwaffle and Chicken with butter, maple syrup and hot sauce
- Churwaffle and Hotlink with Honey
- Dessert Churwaffle with cinnamon, whipped cream and powdered sugar
Stand 3, Section 101:
- Protein Box: rolled meats, cubed cheese, mixed nuts, boiled eggs and grapes
Stand 2 Main Gate Epicenter; Stand 4 Section 110; and Stand 11 Section 130:
- Carnitas nachos, with pulled pork, green chili queso blanco, sour cream and cilantro
Stand 7, Section 113:
- Filthy Burger: 1/4 lb. 100% all-beef burger with maple bacon, pepper jack cheese, BBQ pulled pork, BBQ sauce on a brioche roll
- Impossible Burger: plant-based patty with field lettuce, local ingredients and an open-faced bun
- Grilled chicken pesto sandwich: fresh grilled 6 oz. chicken breast, provolone cheese and basil pesto on a brioche roll
Stand 9, Pizza Stand Section 120:
- Pepperoni pizza
- Cheese pizza
- Margherita pizza: pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, sea salt
- Specialty Pizza of the Day – Poutine Pie (2/29): red sauce, cheese curds, bacon and scallions
Carvery Cart, Section 119:
- Roasted rosemary scented pork loin, or smoked breast of turkey on a brioche roll with assorted accoutrements
BBQ Cart, Section 116:
- BBQ pulled pork or beef brisket
- Kale kohlrabi coleslaw
- In-house macaroni & cheese
New Artwork
Fans in attendance at Earthquakes Stadium will observe new artwork attractions around the venue, including a creative collaboration with local artist Sean Boyles at bag check.
New Parking Garages and Tailgate Lot
The 2020 season will see the introduction of two new parking garages at Earthquakes Stadium on the same footprint as the former Platinum Lot. With the influx of additional parking created by the new parking structures, Earthquakes Stadium now has 2,658 paved parking spots available. This marks an increase of ~1,700 paved spots compared to the 2019 season.
- Tailgating will be permitted in the Tailgate Lot
- Tailgating cannot impede vehicle or foot traffic
- Tailgating is limited to the area directly in front of or behind your vehicle only
- Empty spaces may not be reserved or used for the purpose of tailgating
Studio74
The former merchandise store located in the concourse behind section 107 has been converted to Studio74, with artistic wall graphics, interactive exhibits, and glass cases displaying historical artifacts.
Sensory Inclusion
Earthquakes Stadium has partnered with KultureCity to make all stadium programs and events sensory inclusive. This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests and fans with sensory issues that visit the stadium.
Sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones (provided by Puro Sound Labs), fidget tools, verbal cue cards (produced in conjunction with Boardmaker) and weighted lap pads will be available to all guests at Earthquakes Stadium who may feel overwhelmed by environmental auditory conditions. Fans can pick up sensory bags at the Guest Services office, near section 101.
“We are proud to make Earthquakes Stadium the first MLS stadium in California and fourth overall to be sensory inclusive certified,” said Earthquakes Chief Operating Officer Jared Shawlee. “We care deeply about making sure all of our guests feel comfortable and wanted to provide the necessary assistance so everyone can have an enjoyable and memorable experience.”
Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to over stimulation and noise, which can be experienced at a venue like Earthquakes Stadium. With its new certification, Earthquakes Stadium is now better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible when attending an event. The certification process provides stadium staff with professional training by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those guests and fans with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation.
“To know that you soon will be able to see families attend soccer games, a true community binding experience, with their loved ones who have a sensory challenge and who were not able to previously attend, is truly a heartwarming moment,” said KultureCity Co-Founder Julian Maha. “Our communities are what shapes our lives and to know that the San Jose Earthquakes are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone, no matter their ability, is included in their community is amazing.”
Prior to attending an event, families can download the free KultureCity App where one can view what sensory features are available and where they can access them. Also, on the App is the Social Story which will provide a preview of what to expect while enjoying an event at Earthquakes Stadium.
About Earthquakes Stadium
Earthquakes Stadium, home to Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes, is an 18,000-seat soccer-specific stadium located on Coleman Ave. adjacent to the San Jose International Airport. The stadium has hosted numerous non-Major League Soccer events since its inaugural season in 2015, including the International Champions Cup, which featured Manchester United and Club America, United States Women’s National Team matches, the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup and the 2016 Major League Soccer All-Star Game against Arsenal FC. For more information about Earthquakes Stadium, visit www.sjearthquakes.com.
About KultureCity
KultureCity is a leading non-profit recognized nationwide for using its resources to revolutionize and effect change in the community for those with sensory needs. Since the program’s inception, KultureCity has created over 350 sensory-inclusive venues in four countries, including special events such as the NFL Pro-Bowl, NFL Super Bowl and MLB All Star Weekend. KultureCity has won many awards for its efforts, including the NASCAR Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award in 2017 and the 2018 Clio Sports Silver for social good in partnership with Cleveland Cavaliers/Quicken Loans Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Quiet Space Sensory Room at Quicken Loans Arena was a finalist for the 2018 Stadium Business Award, and recently, KultureCity was named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2019 by FastCompany.
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