Buck Shaw Stadium - San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose Earthquakes

In 2005 Buck Shaw Stadium was converted from multipurpose to a soccer only facility when the dugouts, baseball infield, and baseball backstop were permanently removed from the stadium. On October 26, 2007, the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer announced that they will play a majority of their home games during the 2008 season at the stadium. Upgrades such as additional seating and bathrooms were added to the stadium in order for it to comply with MLS standards and funded by the Earthquakes organization over the winter of 2008. The capacity was increased from 6,800 seats to 10,300 seats. In addition the field was moved closer to the existing grandstand with a small section removed from section 107 to accommodate the shift. Additionally the Santa Clara practice field between the Leavey Center and Buck Shaw was replaced with an "Italgrass" artificial turf surface.

Drainage improvements were also be made to the stadium's field in concert with the field crown being removed to produce a flat pitch. A new video scoreboard was added along with additional concession and merchandising stands. General facilities were also modernized or improved including the addition of new lighting, a TV press box, new sound system, and an additional grandstand on the stadium's west side. The new grandstand included all of the seating additions made to the stadium. About half of the new grandstand included tip up seating. Overall the enhancements cost around 4 million USD.