The San Diego Wave FC may be looking to trade their shared turf at Snapdragon Stadium for a dedicated home, with owners proposing a new stadium and a significant mixed-use development at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The "Del Mar Dreams" project, as it's called, envisions a 12,000- to 16,000-seat stadium alongside a hotel, convention center, and retail space on the southeastern portion of the 324-acre state-owned property.
Wave controlling owner Lauren Leichtman and her son, Zachary Leichtman-Levine, presented the preliminary proposal to the board of the 22nd District Agricultural Association on October 13. Their vision is to give the National Women’s Soccer League team a permanent home while transforming parts of the fairgrounds into a year-round destination.
Currently, the Wave shares Snapdragon Stadium, a 35,000-seat venue, with San Diego State football and, starting in 2025, Major League Soccer’s San Diego FC. This arrangement puts the Wave fourth in line for scheduling priority, behind SDSU football, concerts, and other special events, and San Diego FC. Leichtman-Levine described this position to the fairgrounds board as "something resembling a fourth-class citizen," highlighting the push for greater control over their home schedule.
The team, which averaged a league-record 20,718 fans in 2023, has seen attendance decline to roughly 12,000 per game this season. Developers, including Wave ownership and Beverly Hills-based Eighty Eight Place Acquisitions, believe a smaller stadium would better suit current attendance figures and cultivate a more intimate match-day atmosphere.
The proposed development extends beyond the stadium. Plans include a multi-level parking structure with approximately 1,300 spaces, 350,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, a 300-room hotel, and a 125,000-square-foot convention center. The project also allocates about 15 acres for public space, plazas, and trails, and proposes a tram to connect facilities across the fairgrounds, with access to a planned rail platform.
The project is planned in three phases, with the stadium, parking, and tram targeted for completion in 2031, aligning with the Wave’s current lease expiration at Snapdragon Stadium. Shops and restaurants would follow through 2033, with the hotel and convention center completed by 2034. Developers have committed to ensuring the Del Mar Racetrack and the annual San Diego County Fair can continue operations during construction. The proposal also outlines plans for privately financing the project on portions of the fairgrounds currently used for surface parking, with the state retaining land ownership under a ground lease.
While the proposal is still in its early stages, the developers have outlined commitments to protect the nearby San Dieguito Lagoon, manage event traffic, and prevent parking from overflowing into residential areas. These measures would require evaluation through environmental and traffic studies.
During the Oct. 13 meeting, board members raised questions about the process. Board member Kathlyn Mead inquired if the district had sought competing development proposals, a sentiment echoed by board member Frederick Schenk, who expressed interest in hearing from other potential developers for the state-owned property.
Despite exploring future options, San Diego Wave FC stated their commitment to their current home. "San Diego Wave FC is proud to call Snapdragon Stadium home and remain committed to our long-term agreement and valued partnership with San Diego State University," the club said in a statement. They added that the Del Mar Fairgrounds concept represents "an early exploration of what’s possible" and they look forward to continuing conversations with the Fairgrounds board, the City of Del Mar, fans, and the broader community.
The 22nd District Agricultural Association board took no action on October 13. Developers are seeking a two-year exclusive negotiating period at the board’s next scheduled meeting on November 10, which would allow them to conduct detailed site feasibility studies and planning without authorizing any construction.
