Viejas Arena At Aztec Bowl is an on-campus, multi-purpose indoor arena on the San Diego State University campus. It serves as the home court for SDSU Aztec men’s and women’s basketball and hosts a variety of major concerts and events. The venue is known for flexible seating configurations to accommodate center-stage and end-stage setups, making it a versatile home for live entertainment in San Diego.

With a capacity that adapts by event, Viejas Arena draws big-name performers and significant college basketball action, all within a short drive to downtown San Diego. We’ve got you with reliable guidance on seating, parking, transit, and nearby accommodations to help you secure your seats with ease.

Whether you’re catching an SDSU basketball game or a headline concert, Viejas Arena offers convenient access from the SDSU campus. The on-site parking structures 7 and 12, plus nearby lots, provide prepaid options and ADA parking. For transit, the San Diego Trolley Green Line stops at the nearby SDSU Transit Center, followed by a comfortable walk to the arena. In addition to Willows Hotel & Spa at Viejas (our preferred partner), several hotels in College Area and Mission Valley offer convenient stays, with affiliate recommendations to simplify planning. As you plan your visit, check the official seating chart for your event to understand center-stage versus end-stage configurations, and secure your seats early for the best value and proximity.

Inside the venue

Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl features an open-air concourse design. Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl is wheelchair accessible. Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl has a seating capacity of 12,414 for basketball games. [1] [2]

Venue history

Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl opened in July 1997. Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl was previously named Cox Arena. Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl is located on the San Diego State University (SDSU) campus. [1] [2]

References

Good to know

Seating, Parking & Venue Information

Capacity: 12,414 for basketball; up to 12,845 for center-stage concerts; 12,200 for end-stage concerts.
Address: 5500 Canyon Crest Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-4210.
Venue type: on-campus indoor multi-purpose arena on the SDSU campus; home to San Diego State Aztec basketball and the San Diego Mojo PVF volleyball team.
Seating chart: configuration changes by event; seating chart supports center-stage vs. end-stage layouts (see official seating chart).
Parking: on-site parking in Structures 7 and 12 (and nearby lots); prepaid parking options (e.g., $45 per vehicle for events); ADA parking available; typically 90 minutes before doors open.
Transit: accessible by the San Diego Trolley Green Line to the SDSU Transit Center (about a 10-minute walk to the arena).
Nearby hotels: Willows Hotel & Spa at Viejas (preferred partner) plus multiple hotels in the College/Mission Valley areas (e.g., Best Western Plus La Mesa, Holiday Inn Express La Mesa).
Notable events: SDSU Aztecs basketball; major concerts by artists such as Cher, Eric Clapton, Britney Spears, John Mayer, The Chainsmokers, Aerosmith; Billy Joel & Elton John opened their 2001 tour here.