SDSU to play 2021 football games in Carson

CARSON (CNS) - Los Angeles County will play host to three college football teams next year, as San Diego State University announced Tuesday, Sept. 15 that the Aztecs will play their 2021 home games at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson while the university works on its new campus and stadium in Mission Valley.

The decision allows the university continue its work on the construction site adjacent to SDCCU Stadium, with the new stadium scheduled to open in fall 2022.

``Once the sale of the site was finalized with the city and we knew we could play football in Aztec Stadium in fall 2022, based on all the information we had gathered, it became clear the existing stadium had to come down in the first quarter of 2021,'' SDSU Athletic Director John David Wicker said. ``Our intention had been to play a final season in SDCCU Stadium. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has forced our hand and we must move the spring 2021 games as well.''

The Aztecs' fall 2020 football season has been moved to the spring because of the coronavirus.

Although the spring schedule has yet to be announced by the Mountain West Conference, the Aztecs' fall 2021 slate includes seven home games, including matchups with Utah, Boise State, Fresno State, New Mexico, Nevada, New Mexico State and Towson.

Opened in 2003, the 27,000-seat Dignity Health Sports Park has played host to National Football League, XFL, Major League Soccer and World Cup championship events. The Los Angeles Chargers called the facility home in 2017, 2018 and 2019, while the XFL's Wildcats made their debut this spring.

Carson is about 110 miles north of SDCCU Stadium.