In the months leading up to the NFL deciding among the Rams, Chargers and Raiders for relocation to Los Angeles — and with the Coliseum already in place as a temporary home for one of them during construction of the new stadium — the StubHub Center in Carson was being considered as a second team’s interim venue.
The idea seemed surprising given the StubHub Center’s projected 30,000-seat capacity for pro football, which is minuscule considering the normal 70,000-seat and above stadiums across the NFL.
But as NFL sources pointed out, imagine the exclusivity and potential fan experience of watching professional football at such an intimate venue. Or, as others put it: “It would be like watching Bruce Springsteen at a club rather than a huge stadium.”
We’re about to find out exactly what that looks like.
The Rams, as we all know, have been in place at the Coliseum since last season and the Chargers, who claimed the second spot in Los Angeles last month, will call the StubHub Center home the next two seasons.
As far as that exclusivity and intimacy the NFL kept touting, it looks like those dynamics will have season-ticket holders dipping pretty deep into their checking accounts.
The Chargers on Tuesday announced price points for their 2017 season-ticket package, and based on the interest being shown by fans coupled with limited inventory, they aren’t cheap.
The 10-game packages — including two preseason games — range from $3,700 for a single seat on the lower west center of StubHub Center — or $370 per ticket — to $700 in the north end zone.
To put those prices in perspective, the Rams’ season-ticket prices topped out last season at $2,025, with a low of $360. Those prices will remain intact next season.
The Chargers’ 2017 home schedule features the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins and AFC West rivals Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos.
The NFL will announce game dates in April.
“Playing at StubHub Center is going to offer fans a rare opportunity to see NFL action in a uniquely intimate setting,” said A.G. Spanos, the Chargers’ President of Business Operations. “Every seat at StubHub Center will feel close to the action and fans will be right there with us on every play.”
The Chargers last month set up a waiting list for potential season-tickets buyers — at the cost of a refundable $100 deposit — and the healthy response helped set the market for the price point on season tickets in their inaugural season in Los Angeles.
While some have wondered what type of support the Chargers will get in L.A. after spending the past 56 years in San Diego, at least initially it doesn’t appear it will be an issue. Club officials are confident they will fill StubHub Center this year.
“We expect to sell out quickly,” Spanos said.
In fact, a bigger concern might be keeping fans who aren’t able to purchase season tickets the next two seasons engaged enough to want to buy them at the new stadium in Inglewood beginning in 2019. And at that point, a Premium Seat License Fee (PSL) will be attached to the purchase.
But that is a concern for another day.
For now, the challenge is creating a product Los Angeles fans want to support in a crowded sports landscape that not only includes the Rams, but also the Lakers, Dodgers, Clippers, Angeles, Kings, Galaxy and USC and UCLA.
Season-ticket information can be found at Chargers.com.
The club is also accepting $100 season-ticket wait list deposits at FightForLA.com.
The refundable deposit grants priority status to buy season tickets for games at StubHub Center, as well as priority status for the new stadium at Hollywood Park. Each deposit-holder can purchase up to four season tickets for Chargers home games at StubHub Center.
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