Viejas Arena - Home of Aztec Basketball

Opened in 1997, the facility is the home of San Diego State Basketball and provides a venue for university functions, cultural events, concerts and other special-event programming. It features a unique open-air concourse design that allows fans to enjoy the excellent San Diego climate and adds a new experience to attending arena-type events.

Until July 1, 2009, the arena's naming rights were owned by Cox Communications and was known as Cox Arena. On March 17, 2009, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians announced the signing of a 10-year naming rights agreement which changed the name to Viejas Arena.

The arena is built on the site of the old Aztec Bowl stadium which hosted San Diego State football games as well as other athletic, entertainment and cultural events from the time of its construction in 1936 until 1967.

Built directly into a canyon hillside, Viejas Arena encloses one end of the old horseshoe-shaped Aztec Bowl. Two sections of the stadium's original concrete bleachers and cobblestone walls frame each side of the arena's north entrance. In addition, the university's 10-ton granite boulder, a California landmark commemorating President John F. Kennedy's 1963 commencement address at Aztec Bowl, has also been placed in this area.

In addition to Aztec basketball contests, Viejas Arena has played host to concerts by such artists as Cher, Eric Clapton, Britney Spears, No Doubt, Barry Manilow, Black Eyed Peas and Aerosmith. In the spring of 2001, Billy Joel and Elton John opened their world tour with a sold-out show at Viejas Arena.

Viejas Arena seats 12,414 for basketball games. Seating includes 240 ADA accessible and companion seats in row 36, form-fitted bench seats in rows 30-35 with the remaining being stadium seats. For special events and concerts, the venue can become intimate down to 3,000 seats and, depending on configuration, accommodate as many as 13,500.

The facility features a $1.3 million center hung Daktronics scoreboard with modern features including up to the minute statistical information on individual players.

In addition, the venue offers six locker rooms, two team rooms, a green room which includes three individual dressing rooms and a common area, a training room and a work room.

Concessions are provided by Aztec Shops and include a traditional sports-themed menu as well as specialty foods. Aztec Shops also provides catering and includes a wide ranging menu with various levels of service.

The Mezzanine Level houses a VIP Room for banquets, pre and post-game functions, and other formal and informal gatherings. The room consists of a 2,200 square-foot space that can be divided into two rooms of 800 and 1,400 square feet. The 800-square foot area can also serve as an interview room for sporting events.

Viejas Arena has served as host for the first two rounds of the NCAA men's basketball championship on five occasions in 2001, 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022, with a return visit scheduled for 2026. In addition, the building welcomed the men's NIT in 2003, 2009 and 2016.

Other notable events at Viejas Arena include the NCAA Final Four for women's volleyball in 2001, the first two rounds of the NCAA women's basketball championship in 2009 and the first round of the WNIT in 2013 and 2023. 

Viejas Arena Facts

First Game:  Brigham Young 73, SDSU 59 (11-14-97)
Aztecs' First Win (Men's):  SDSU 79, Southwest Texas 57 (11-26-97)
Aztecs' 50th Victory (Men's):  SDSU 89, New Mexico 73 (3-24-03)
Aztecs' 100th Victory (Men's):  SDSU 86, Navy 76 (12-17-07)
Aztecs' 150th Victory (Men's):  SDSU 66, Colorado State 48 (3-5-11)
Aztecs' 200th Victory (Men's):  SDSU 57, San Diego 48 (12-4-14)
Aztecs' 250th Victory (Men's): SDSU, 72, Boise State 64 (2-27-18)
Aztecs' 300th Victory (Men's): SDSU 80, UNLV 55 (1-24-22)
Basketball Capacity:  12,414
Seasons Entering:  28th season in 2024-25

San Diego State in Viejas Arena (end of 2023-24 season)
Men's All-Time Record in Viejas Arena:  335-90 (.788)
Women's All-Time Record in Viejas Arena:  231-166 (.582)
SDSU Record in Viejas Under Brian Dutcher: 97-11 (.898)
SDSU Record in Viejas Under Stacie Terry-Hutson:  97-71 (.577)
Longest Win Streak in Viejas History (Men's):  18
Longest Losing Streak in Viejas History:  8

 * -- Due to COVID 19 protocols, the 2020-21 season was contested without fans in Viejas Arena. The attendance total and average are based on the 27 seasons from 1997-98 to 2023-24. . (c) -- indicates venue capacity. game.