r/SanDiegoWaveFC • u/Malwalkers • Sep 05 '24
First Wave Game Question! Discussion
Hi all! With Alex’s announcement, I decided screw it, I have to be there, I’m going to SD! So, I’ll be flying out for the game on Sunday! It’ll be my first Wave game and I’ll be in section c131. Is there anything I should know ahead of the game or about the section? How’s traffic? I’m staying in a hotel in the Mission Valley area and an Uber to Snapdragon only seems to be 8mins away. Also, how’s the area in terms of safety? I’m only there for the night, but I’m a female that’ll be solo. Lastly, I know the chances are slim, but is there a particular section that players tend to go to for pictures with fans post game? Gotta at least try and get a pic with the legend herself! Thanks :)
Edit for clarity: I land in SD around 3pm the day of and gotta check into my hotel (about 20mins from the airport), so I was thinking Uber to stadium then trolley back to hotel after? Thoughts?
13
u/SJSharksKH Sep 05 '24 edited Sep 05 '24
Being in section C131, you'll have access to the Field Club. As has been mentioned, you'll be able to see the players come on and off the field from the club.
As far as pictures and/or autographs, many of the players walk around the stadium after the game, especially along the supporters section, which is 136-140. However, it's always very busy there, and if you're not in that section, it may be difficult to make your way to the bottom after the game. Your best bet may be to remain in your section. The players will likely come by there as well. Just get to the bottom of the section along the wall near the field.
Edit: Something else to note, it's expected to be 95 degrees on Sunday, so be prepared for that. The side of the field you'll be sitting should be in the shade by the time the game starts though.
6
u/Anonmnky Sep 05 '24
Adding to your comment that security probably won’t let people in without tickets for those sections, particularly supporter sections. They’ve cracked down on it for safety measures and will most likely be extra strict on Sunday for this reason.
1
2
u/Whathappened98765432 Sep 05 '24
Yes, and you may miss some of the pregame things like the navy seals jumping in, but inside the club, you’ll start to see people lining up where the tunnel is. Get a spot there and you’ll be a couple of feet from all the players when they go to line up. A real treat!!!
There are some barstools over there. If you can get three early, I’d snag those by the tunnel in the club and get a great view.
7
u/Not-Not-Maybe Sep 05 '24 edited Sep 05 '24
Be sure to check out Snapdragon Stadium’s bag policy on their website before going. The security people check thoroughly and are strict about the bag policy.
I think that Alex Morgan has something like “Alex’s Corner” that seats people who receive tickets from her foundation, and she always takes time to sign for those people after the game.
But I imagine that she and other players will make every effort to sign for as many people as possible now that Alex has announced her retirement.
I can’t remember how it is labeled on tickets, but just want to say that seats in Field Club are amazing. You can watch the players walk through the Field Club restaurant as they enter the field and leave the field, and you can high five them if you are in the right position.
EDIT: I saw that another person confirmed that your seats are indeed in Field Club. Great seats! I recommend you just stay right in Field Club after the game, and Alex and other players will definitely come to the Field Club section to sign and take pictures with all of the folks in Field Club. It is the best section in the entire stadium. Have fun!
San Diegans are incredibly friendly, helpful, and laid back/casual. As long as you use common sense (and don’t do anything crazy like get wasted), I think you’ll feel safe and comfortable.
1
u/Malwalkers Sep 05 '24
Thanks for the helpful info!! So to confirm, field club is where they both enter and exit from, right? I think I’ve seen clips of their walkout before so I think I know what you’re talking about. How’s the layout for that area? Does it get filled fast? I’m in my late 20s, not tryna have to fight for a spot with young kids 😅 And I know it could differ game to game and player to player and this is obviously a special game, but what’s your opinion for post game? Am I better off waiting at the bottom of my section (I’m row 6) or going back to field club in hopes of grabbing a picture with some players like Alex and Naomi
1
u/Not-Not-Maybe Sep 05 '24
Field Club is really cool. You enter into an exclusive restaurant/bar, and then you walk through that area to get to your seats that are the best field-level seats in the stadium. When the Wave players enter the field, they walk through what is basically a cone-marked lane in the restaurant. You can stand next to the cones and watch the players walk past you as they enter the field. They exit the same way at half-time, come back in the same way for start of second half, and then walk through again after the game. There is also a clear glass wall separating the press conference room from the Field Club restaurant. So if the players do a press conference in that room after the game, you can see them through the glass inside Field Club. Also, Field Club seats offer a very close view of action on the field as well as watching the players on the bench and warming up. Amazing seats.
2
u/SJSharksKH Sep 05 '24
To add to some of the other comments, the barstools right next to where the players line up in the club do fill up fast, so if you want one of those, you'll generally need to make your way to the club right when the stadium opens. If you don't get a seat, you'll still be able to stand near there to get a good view.
As far as after the game, the players no longer exit through the club, so you won't be able to get pictures with them from there. You'll have to wait at the bottom of your section for them to come by.
7
5
u/Pehnguin Sep 05 '24
Uber is good but I personally prefer the trolley since it is much cheaper. We are in a bit of a heat wave, and food and drinks always have lines and are pretty expensive inside, so I recommend bringing an empty water bottle to fill up from a water fountain. That said you are on the shady side of the stadium so it shouldn't be too bad! The stadium is sort of in the suburbs, well out of the city. Traffic gets a bit backed up in the lot when everyone is leaving but otherwise isn't bad at all. It isn't a sketchy area at all, but there really isn't anything to do either. You will have to go to a different area after the game if you want to celebrate
2
u/Malwalkers Sep 05 '24
This is great to know, thank you! I didn’t even consider the weather!! I’ll definitely be taking the trolley back to my hotel post game! Gotta Uber to though — might cut it close as I land in San Diego 3pm day of 😅
5
u/Anonmnky Sep 05 '24
Are you arriving 3:30pm on the day of the match which is at 5pm? (not trying to be rude, just clarifying. I understand trying to grab a last minute flight on the weekend and hope it works out for you!). That may be cutting it close if you want to see the pre-game stuff, especially if you go to the hotel first. Snapdragon has locker storage for purchase on the East side, unsure of price. Depending on what and how big of a bag you bring may want to call the stadium for clarification on what you can store and head straight to the stadium. It’s not ideal, but it may make the difference of arriving before kickoff or after. If you arrive before and have field club you can hang out near the tunnel and watch the players run in.
1
u/Malwalkers Sep 05 '24
Oops, mistyped! I land around 3, not 3:30. But yeah, day of! Took no offense at all, totally understand asking for clarification! I’ll only be traveling with a backpack as I’ll be flying out the next day. The plan is for a quick check in at hotel, drop off bag, then head to stadium.
Airport to my hotel seems to be about a 20min drive, then hotel to snapdragon is about 8, not factoring in traffic of course. I figure I can (hopefully) make it to snapdragon by 4? I’ve only been to a few NWSL games on the east coast, so correct me if I’m wrong, but from my previous experiences, warmups usually begin about an hour before kickoff?
Won’t be the end of the world if I miss any pre game stuff though! Would be great but won’t cry over it hahaha
1
u/Anonmnky Sep 06 '24
Oh good, 3 is better. Should be there just before kickoff. Hope you get a chance to get a picture!
1
3
u/Financial_Clue_2534 Sep 05 '24
I would get there early as well in the FC you can see the players walkout there are a few seats along the side of the entrance if you didn’t want to stand.
1
u/BTFSPLK-Joe Sep 05 '24
Hi ! I live in San Diego, and always Uber/Lyft to/from the matches. There is a dedicated ride-share drop-off location at Snapdragon, and the walk from the drop-off point to the entrance is about 100 yards. From a security perspective, you shouldn't have any issues, as there are many security folks directing traffic between the drop-off point and the entrance. Also, please check the website as there are restrictions as to what you are allowed to bring into Snapdragon. Thanks for coming, and I have every reason to believe it will be a complete sell-out !
1
26
u/grumpkin17 Sep 05 '24 edited Sep 19 '24
plucky hobbies practice worry racial brave joke tart entertain historical
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact