History of PayPal Park in Timeline

PayPal Park is a soccer-specific stadium located in San Jose, California, serving as the home ground for the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS and Bay FC of the NWSL. Situated on the Airport West site adjacent to San Jose International Airport, it is designed specifically for soccer.

2005: San Jose Purchased Airport West Site

In 2005, San Jose purchased the Airport West site for $81 million.

June 2007: New Stadium Proposal Presented to San Jose City Council

In June 2007, the proposal for the new Earthquakes stadium was presented to the San Jose City Council. The proposal involved rezoning a parcel of industrial land to residential uses, increasing its value and using the proceeds to construct the stadium at no cost to the city.

November 2007: Airport No Longer Needs Airport West Site

As of November 2007, the airport indicated that the Airport West site was no longer needed for developments.

April 15, 2008: Deal Reached to Sell Airport West Site

On April 15, 2008, a deal was revealed to sell the Airport West site to the Earthquakes ownership group for $132 million.

April 2009: Purchase Price Renegotiated for Airport West Site

In April 2009, the purchase price for the Airport West site was renegotiated due to economic climate changes, reducing the purchase price to $89 million.

August 2009: Lew Wolff Backs off From Definite Opening Date

In August 2009, Lew Wolff retracted from publicly claiming a definite 2012 opening date for the stadium until a naming rights sponsor was secured.

September 19, 2009: First Public Renderings of the Stadium Released

On September 19, 2009, the first official public renderings of the stadium were released by team owner Lewis Wolff.

March 16, 2010: Property Rezoning Approved for Stadium Construction

On March 16, 2010, the rezoning of the property was approved to allow for the construction of the stadium.

April 2010: Nutrilite Training Facility Opened

In April 2010, the Earthquakes completed construction and opened the Nutrilite Training Facility, including a training field.

November 2010: Amendment Requested for Stadium Site Purchase Option

In November 2010, Earthquakes ownership requested the City of San Jose for another amendment to the purchase option for the stadium site.

January 20, 2011: Development Permit Application Submitted

On January 20, 2011, the Earthquakes submitted an application to the city for a development permit.

March 3, 2011: Demolition Ceremony Held at Stadium Site

On March 3, 2011, the San Jose Earthquakes held a demolition ceremony at the stadium site to kick off a 12-week demolition in advance of construction.

December 14, 2011: Planning Commission Approves Permit for Stadium Construction

On December 14, 2011, the planning commission approved the permit for stadium construction, which was subsequently appealed by residents nearby the site.

February 22, 2012: Appeal Against Stadium Construction Permit Rejected

On February 22, 2012, the commission heard the appeal and voted unanimously to reject the appeal and finalize the approval of the construction permit.

October 21, 2012: Groundbreaking of New Stadium

On October 21, 2012, the groundbreaking of the new stadium occurred, with 6,256 participants on hand digging into the ground, setting a Guinness World Record.

2012: Original Target Opening Date

In August 2009, Lew Wolff retracted from publicly claiming a definite 2012 opening date for the stadium until a naming rights sponsor was secured.

February 2013: Stadium Construction Expected to Begin

In February 2013, Earthquakes President Dave Kaval stated that stadium construction would begin by February 26, with the stadium on track for completion by early 2014.

September 2013: Demolition, Grading, and Site Utilities Installed

By the middle of September 2013, demolition, grading, and the site utilities were installed.

September 27, 2013: Concrete Pouring of Team Building and Locker Rooms

On September 27, 2013, concrete pouring of the team building and locker rooms took place, followed by the stadium foundations.

November 5, 2013: First Steel Beams Laid for the Stadium

On November 5, 2013, the first steel beams for the stadium were laid.

2013: Option Period for Stadium Site Purchase Extended to 2015

In November 2010, Earthquakes ownership requested the City of San Jose for another amendment to the purchase option for the stadium site. The amendment reduces non-refundable option payments to the City by $2 million to $5 million as well as extends the option period from 2013 to 2015.

March 28, 2014: Final Beam Hoisted in Place

On March 28, 2014, the final beam was hoisted in place.

July 2014: Stadium Completion Date Pushed Back to July 2014

Due to the discovery of underground bunkers and concrete pilings from the previous FMC factory, the completion date for the stadium was pushed back to July 2014.

September 23, 2014: First Seats Installed in the Stadium

On September 23, 2014, the first of the 18,000 seats were installed in the stadium.

November 19, 2014: Avaya Confirmed as Naming Rights Partner

On November 19, 2014, Avaya was confirmed as the naming rights partner for the Earthquakes' new stadium, officially called Avaya Stadium, paying $20 million over a 10-year deal.

2014: Original Target Opening Date

In February 2013, Earthquakes President Dave Kaval stated that stadium construction would begin by February 26, with the stadium on track for completion by early 2014.

February 27, 2015: PayPal Park Officially Opens

On February 27, 2015, PayPal Park officially opened with a seating capacity of approximately 18,000, featuring a canopy roof, steep seating, a large outdoor bar, a fan zone, and a double-sided video scoreboard.

February 28, 2015: PayPal Park's First Match

On February 28, 2015, PayPal Park's first-ever match was the San Jose Earthquakes' final 2015 preseason game against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

March 22, 2015: Earthquakes' 2015 Regular Season Home Opener

On March 22, 2015, PayPal Park hosted the Earthquakes' 2015 regular season home opener against the Chicago Fire.

May 10, 2015: United States Women's National Soccer Team Send-Off Match

On May 10, 2015, the United States women's national soccer team played its first send-off series match ahead of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, defeating the Republic of Ireland 3–0.

July 18, 2015: PayPal Park Hosts Rugby Matches

On July 18, 2015, PayPal Park hosted the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup double-header between Canada and Japan, followed by the United States and Samoa, marking the stadium's first rugby match.

2015: PayPal Park Hosts AUDL Championship

In 2015, PayPal Park hosted the AUDL Championship, which was won by the local San Jose Spiders.

2015: Stadium Completion Delayed to 2015 Season

In 2015, the completion date of the stadium was delayed again to the 2015 season. The seat pattern includes different shades of blue and a smattering of red seats and the message "Go EQ" written in binary.

2015: Option Period for Stadium Site Purchase Extended to 2015

2015: Completion Date Revised to Early 2015

The completion date was later revised to a scheduled completion date of early 2015.

2016: PayPal Park Hosts MLS All-Star Game

In 2016, PayPal Park hosted the MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and Arsenal, which the latter won 2–1.

January 2017: Avaya Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

In January 2017, Avaya filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and initially intended to retain the naming rights to the stadium.

2019: PayPal Park Hosts Premier Lacrosse League Season

PayPal Park hosted Week 9 of the 2019 Premier Lacrosse League season over the weekend of August 10–11.

2020: Venue Renamed Earthquakes Stadium

After Avaya vacated their naming rights, the venue was renamed Earthquakes Stadium in 2020.

April 5, 2021: PayPal Secures Naming Rights for the Stadium

On April 5, 2021, the Earthquakes announced a 10-year partnership with PayPal for the stadium to be named PayPal Park. PayPal and Venmo's digital payments technology were integrated as part of the agreement.

2021: Playing Surface Replaced with SISGrass Hybrid Surface

Ahead of the 2021 MLS season, the playing surface was replaced with a SIS Pitches SISGrass hybrid surface featuring a blend of Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and synthetic fiber.

February 3, 2022: Earthquakes II to Play Home Matches at the Stadium

On February 3, 2022, the Earthquakes announced their second team San Jose Earthquakes II would play their home MLS Next Pro matches at the stadium.

July 21, 2023: Bay FC to Play at PayPal Park

On July 21, 2023, National Women's Soccer League expansion club Bay FC announced that they had signed a five-year agreement to play at PayPal Park.

2024: The Town FC Plays Select Home Matches at PayPal Park

The reserve team was rebranded as The Town FC ahead of the 2024 season and moved the majority of their home matches to Saint Mary's Stadium in Moraga, California, with three home matches of the season scheduled to be played in San Jose at PayPal Park.