Pechanga Arena is one of California’s oldest indoor arenas, and it opened in 1966. It is located in San Diego, so it is often called the San Diego Arena. This multipurpose Indoor Stadium in San Diego can host various indoor sports events such as Ice Hockey, baseball, arena football, soccer, tennis, lacrosse, etc. Pechanga Arena regularly hosts combat sports such as professional wrestling, mixed martial arts, and boxing. Pechanga Arena’s seating capacity is about 14,500 for basketball and 12,900 for ice hockey. After adding a center-stage layout, it can accommodate over 16,000 visitors for boxing, professional wrestling, musical concerts, etc. Pechanga Arena seating chart with seat numbers and rows helps in finding the seats.
Construction of the indoor arena in San Diego began in 1965 and was completed in 1966. The indoor arena was initially called the San Diego International Sports Arena. It was changed to San Diego Sports Arena a couple of times. It was also known as iPayOne Center and Valley View Casino Center previously due to naming rights. The arena has been Pechanga Arena since 2018, after a new naming-rights agreement. It has been renovated multiple times over the years to provide the best facilities for visitors. Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena is California’s oldest active stadium.
San Diego Arena has had many tenants, including NBA teams, NCAA teams, basketball teams, ice hockey teams, indoor football, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, etc. It has hosted many notable events throughout these years. Pechanga Arena’s primary tenant is the San Diego Gulls AHL team. The tenant hosts its home games at Pechanga Arena, and it is popularly known as Gulls Arena during AHL games. The City of San Diego owns the arena, and ASM Global operates it.
Pechanga Arena Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 3500 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110 |
| Opened | 1966 |
| Former names | San Diego Sports Arena; Valley View Casino Center |
| Main tenants | San Diego Gulls, San Diego Sockers, San Diego Seals |
| General capacity | Approximately 14,000 |
| Hockey configuration | Approximately 12,920 |
| Maximum/event capacity | Up to about 14,600 depending on configuration |
| Arena type | Indoor multi-purpose arena |
| Seating levels | Lower Level / Lower Loge, Loge, Terrace |
| Major events | Hockey, concerts, boxing, WWE, family shows, basketball |
| Public transit | San Diego MTS bus network; Old Town Transit Center is the major nearby rail connection |
Pechanga Arena Seating Chart
It is a primary venue for hosting basketball, Ice Hockey, wrestling, and other Sporting events. The basketball seating layout shows the locations of courtside seats, floor seats, lower-level seats, upper-level seats, and premium sections on the color-coded map. Pechanga Arena seating chart depicts the location of all seating sections. The accessible seats are shown on the map with a blue icon.
The seating arrangement chart for ice hockey and indoor football remains almost the same. The map shows the general seating area, premium seats, and ADA seats. These maps are helpful for locating seats inside Pechanga Arena.
A temporary ring is set up in the center of the court during wrestling and other combat sports. The location of all seating sections, including the accessible seats and premium sections, is shown on the wrestling seating chart.
These maps help in choosing the best sections for the sports hosted at Pechanga Arena.
Pechanga Arena Concert Seat Map
The indoor Arena in San Diego regularly hosts musical concerts, theatre, family shows, and other live events. The stage is generally set up in 2 layouts: end stage and center stage. The Pechanga Arena concert seating layout shows the performance stage location with temporary arrangements.
The layout shows all seating sections, the performance stage, and temporary floor arrangements. The sections behind the performance stage are generally not usable during end-stage setup.
It can accommodate the maximum number of visitors in the center-stage layout, as the view is good from all corners of Pechanga Arena. The location of all types of seating sections with the stage is indicated on the map.
Pechanga Arena Best Seats
Choosing the best sections before booking Pechanga Arena tickets makes the experience memorable. The color-coded map distinguishes the different seat types. The locations of the floor, lower-level seats, upper section, and premium areas are shown on the map to help in choosing the best sections. The best areas of Pechanga Arena are marked in green on the lower and upper levels. Sections 12-14, 1, 2, and 24 offer great views and are on the lower level. It’s best to choose middle rows for a great view during sporting events. Similarly, the seats facing the Halfway line are good on the upper level. Upper-section seats are affordable, and the view is elevated. The premium section is in green, orange, and brown. These are among the most expensive areas at Pechanga Arena, offering a good view with luxury services and extra comfort.
| Seating Type | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Seats | Hockey / sports / 360° events | LL1, LL24 and other center-side LL sections offer strong overall views; close enough to action without being too low | Usually more expensive |
| Best Budget Seats | Value for money | Front rows of the T2/T12 or comparable central Terrace sections can provide a surprisingly good view | Farther from the floor |
| Premium & VIP Seating | Luxury & exclusive experience | Club 3500, Loge 1, Premier Boxes and Terrace Boxes offer upgraded service and premium amenities | Higher price; availability varies by event |
| Seats to Avoid | — | — | High Terrace seats behind/alongside the stage can have poor angles; extreme side sections can also be sharply angled |
Seats near the performance stage are great for concerts and similar events. The floor sections offer a great atmosphere and view. These are among the most in-demand and expensive areas at the Pechanga Arena.
| Preference | Sections to Consider |
|---|---|
| Close side view | Front rows of LL sections near the stage |
| Elevated but close | LL13/LL18 and comparable side-center locations, depending on stage |
| Good Loge option | L1 / L2 / L12 / L13 depending on stage |
| Budget | T2 / T12 or central Terrace sections |
| Best Terrace alternative | T2 and T12, especially front rows |
| Avoid | T8A/T8B-type sections when directly behind the stage |
Pechanga Arena Parking Map
Ample parking space is available at the arena to accommodate a large number of vehicles. 73 ADA parking spaces are available near the north entrance, including 35 van-accessible spaces. Pre-booking is available for most events, and we highly recommend pre-booking a parking space at Pechanga Arena. Overnight parking is not allowed. The location of the parking lot, disabled parking lot, premium parking space, landmarks, box office, and other important information, along with the stadium layout, are shown on the Pechanga Arena parking map.
ParkMe.com is a preferred parking partner for reserving a parking space at Pechanga Arena. San Diego MTS buses can be used to reach the arena in San Diego. Old Town Transit Center is a major nearby rail connection.
Bag Policy
| Item | Maximum Size |
|---|---|
| Clear tote bag | 12 × 6 × 12 inches |
| One-gallon clear plastic bag | Permitted |
| Small clutch/wallet | 4.5 × 6.5 inches |
| Backpack | Not permitted |
| Suitcase | Not permitted |
| Laptop bag | Not permitted |
| Large beach/duffel bag | Not permitted |
The venue does not offer bag storage for large bags or prohibited items. Rules and policies of the Pechanga Arena can be checked at this link.
Pechanga Arena Events 2026
| Day & Date | Event | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Sep 11, 2026 | Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey | Family Show |
| Sat, Sep 12, 2026 | Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey | Family Show |
| Sun, Sep 13, 2026 | Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey | Family Show |
| Mon, Sep 14, 2026 | Journey: Final Frontier Tour 2026 | Concert |
| Wed, Sep 16, 2026 | The Red Clay Strays: Grateful Tour 2026 | Concert |
| Thu, Sep 17, 2026 | Zach Top: Cold Beer & Country Music Tour 2026 | Concert |
| Sat, Sep 19, 2026 | Premier Boxing Champions Presents: Cruz vs. Bravo | Boxing |
| Thu, Sep 24, 2026 | Carin Leon: De Sonora Para El Mundo Tour | Concert |
| Sat, Sep 26, 2026 | Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire | Family/Motorsports |
| Sun, Sep 27, 2026 | Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire | Family/Motorsports |
| Mon, Sep 28, 2026 | Billy Strings Fall 2026 | Concert |
| Sat, Oct 10, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Henderson Silver Knights | AHL Hockey |
| Sun, Oct 11, 2026 | Niteharts Presents: LATENITE | Concert/Event |
| Tue, Oct 13, 2026 | SOMBR: You Are The Reason Tour 2026 | Concert |
| Wed, Oct 14, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Ontario Reign | AHL Hockey |
| Mon, Oct 19, 2026 | WWE Presents: Monday Night RAW | Wrestling |
| Wed, Oct 21, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds | AHL Hockey |
| Sat, Oct 24, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. San Jose Barracuda | AHL Hockey |
| Sun, Oct 25, 2026 | Gorillaz: The Mountain Tour 2026 | Concert |
| Sat, Oct 31, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Henderson Silver Knights | AHL Hockey |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Colorado Eagles | AHL Hockey |
| Sat, Nov 7, 2026 | National University Bill Walton Classic | Basketball |
| Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. San Jose Barracuda | AHL Hockey |
| Fri, Nov 13, 2026 | Teddy Swims: The UGLY Tour 2026 | Concert |
| Sat, Nov 14, 2026 | Los Tigres Del Norte: Los Tigres Del Mundo | Concert |
| Wed, Nov 18, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Bakersfield Condors | AHL Hockey |
| Fri, Nov 20, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Iowa Wild | AHL Hockey |
| Sat, Nov 21, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Iowa Wild | AHL Hockey |
| Tue, Nov 24, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Ontario Reign | AHL Hockey |
| Fri, Nov 27, 2026 | Cristian Castro: Nada Solo Exitos Tour | Concert |
| Sat, Nov 28, 2026 | Acordeones Y Corridos: EL POTRO DE SINALOA | Concert |
| Sat, Dec 5, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Tucson Roadrunners | AHL Hockey |
| Wed, Dec 9, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Calgary Wranglers | AHL Hockey |
| Sat, Dec 19, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds | AHL Hockey |
| Sun, Dec 27, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. Tucson Roadrunners | AHL Hockey |
| Wed, Dec 30, 2026 | San Diego Gulls vs. San Jose Barracuda | AHL Hockey |
Pechanga Arena 2027 Events
| Day & Date | Event | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 2, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Tucson Roadrunners | AHL Hockey |
| Fri, Jan 8, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Springfield Thunderbirds | AHL Hockey |
| Sat, Jan 16, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds | AHL Hockey |
| Tue, Jan 26, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Bakersfield Condors | AHL Hockey |
| Fri, Jan 29, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Colorado Eagles | AHL Hockey |
| Wed, Feb 10, 2027 | Don Omar: The Last King World Tour | Concert |
| Sat, Feb 13, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Calgary Wranglers | AHL Hockey |
| Tue, Feb 16, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Calgary Wranglers | AHL Hockey |
| Sun, Mar 7, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Ontario Reign | AHL Hockey |
| Fri, Mar 12, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Colorado Eagles | AHL Hockey |
| Sun, Mar 14, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Henderson Silver Knights | AHL Hockey |
| Fri, Mar 19, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. San Jose Barracuda | AHL Hockey |
| Sat, Mar 20, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Abbotsford Canucks | AHL Hockey |
| Tue, Mar 23, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Abbotsford Canucks | AHL Hockey |
| Wed, Mar 31, 2027 | San Diego Gulls vs. Henderson Silver Knights | AHL Hockey |
