New San Jose Earthquakes stadium field-level luxury suites go on sale this week
In a clear sign that the San Jose Earthquakes organization are confident that their proposed new soccer specific stadium project will move forward as planned, the team announced today that they will begin offering seating contracts on up to 12 luxury suites in the new facility. Expected to be completed in 2013 according to Quakes president David Kaval, the new stadium will be the first soccer facility in MLS to feature field-level luxury suites that will put their well-heeled denizens right in the thick of the action. Each suite will feature many of the amenities available in comparable suites in other sporting stadiums and will accommodate up to 23 people. (Marketing staff’s shiny brochure presents all the details.)
According to a report in this morning’s San Jose Mercury News, the suites will be offered to season ticket holders and other interested parties for 5-year contracts at a cost of $350,000. While the contract will allow users to access the suites for all events at the proposed new stadium, just looking at the MLS regular season schedule, the numbers work out to $179 per person for a 17-game home schedule. Given the proximity to the field and the other amenities available to suite users, the cost is quite a bargain compared with other sports in the Bay Area. For example, an 18-seat luxury suite with a sideline view at an Oakland Raiders game will cost $575 per person, for a 12-seat suite behind the endzone, the per game cost drops to $383 per person.
In either case, given their relative distances away from the playing field. it is unlikely that a wayward ball is going to upset your Cosmopolitan at a Raiders game. However, you’ll need to be on your toes watching the Earthquakes given just how close to the center line your seats will be located. For the ultimate package for spoiled soccer fans, the luxury suites at the proposed San Jose Earthquakes stadium look likely to become the best bet in MLS.
(Photo rendering courtesy of the San Jose Earthquakes)
Wow! While the stadium as a whole might not be the best in the league, we will at least lay claim to the best view in the league!
Just glad to hear that they listened to their stakeholders and decided to add the suites. It would have been a bad move if they did not have suites as originally planned.
Go Quakes!
If it brings in revenue for the team, it’s a good thing overall. I am a tad worried about the prawn sandwich brigade taking over. It’s bad enough at Buck Shaw with the AYSO crowd and their polite golf claps. However, once again, provided they don’t sell the place’s soul for it, the revenue is a good thing. I hope the lower cost (compared to other venues) will get folks other than just the corporates to perhaps buy into a suite.
Another benefit of the lower prices on the suites is that the resale of tickets should be more affordable to passionate fans. If the corporate users can’t make the games, a reasonably priced one-match offering could still keep those seats filled (and looking good on television) for every game.
Good point. I think it would be fascinating if perhaps the patrons of various footy-friendly pubs could get together on a suite, or perhaps other sporting oriented associations of people. I suppose in the long run, supply-demand will dictate things. If the demand will support the price, then they’ll be filled. While I intend to stay in the supporters terrace, I think I’ll start lobbying my company to throw it’s hat into the suites ring. :-)
MikeG,
I hear what you are saying. I think one of the good things about the suites is that they will only be putting 6 on each side. Buck Shaw is about 345 feet long. Those suites did not look too wide. Maybe 20 feet wide, by 40-50 feet long? So we will probably only loose about 120-140 feet in the middle of the pitch. That still leaves a lot of room on the ends for the non-prawn sandwich types like you and I.
Like you said, if it means additional revenue for the team, I am all for it. Go Quakes!
This is more good news implying, as Robert says, that the team feels strongly about the stadium project moving forward sooner rather than later. Is it too much to hope for a First Kick in the new digs for March 2013? Probably, but here’s to dreaming anyway.
The pics in the brochure looks like the suites go all around the stadium, including behind the goal. Maybe they are selling just the first twelve, but I wonder if there be more than twelve suites in total.
I have the same question as Nerdy. Are the suites going to be all around the stadium? It looks that way in the pictures. If so I would guess they are going to have more then 12. I think it would be nice if there were no suites at the enclosed goal line side. That way when a quakes player scores he could jump into the arms of the ultras rather then the CEO of blah blah.com and his shrimp cocktail.