What fans attending tonight’s California Clasico need to know
SAN JOSE >> The venue for tonight’s California Clasico between the Earthquakes and Los Angeles Galaxy might be different. But the atmosphere figures to be as electric as ever.
A sold-out crowd of 18,000 is expected at PayPal Park as the Earthquakes become the first major league sports team in Santa Clara County to host a game without any attendance restrictions since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. The San Jose Giants allowed full capacity crowds at their minor league baseball park earlier this week.
The Earthquakes announced last month that the Clasico would be held at their San Jose home instead of at Stanford Stadium, where crowds of around 50,000 people for the rivalry game are the norm. Stanford, per the Earthquakes, could not welcome a full capacity crowd this year, but the game is expected to be back on the university’s
campus in 2022.
The Quakes (3-6-1) had limited attendance to 20 percent of stadium capacity for their first two home games this season and increased that to 33 percent for the last three.
Right now, they could use all the support they can get. San Jose is 0-5-1 since mid-May, scoring just once in that time to fall to 10th in the Western Conference. The Galaxy (6-3-0) are in third place and have won four of its last six, including a 1-0 win over the Quakes in Carson on May 29.
Tonight’s game will also mark Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez’s first game at PayPal Park with the Galaxy. Chicharito is Mexico’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals through 109 games.
Here’s what fans who are planning to attend tonight’s game need to know.
ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE? >> As of early Friday afternoon, per TicketMas
ter, there were fewer than 500 tickets available, with several of those being resale tickets. The club is expecting a sellout.
For the 2021 season, all Earthquakes season tickets and single-game tickets are fully digital and can be found in the Quakes’ app. The team recommends saving the tickets to your digital wallet ahead of time for best results.
WHAT’S THE TRANSPORTATION SITUATION LIKE? >> Parking prices range from $20 to $35, depending on the location of the lot. More parking is available this season with the addition of two parking structures near the stadium.
The Earthquakes also have a free shuttle from downtown San Jose for fans attending the match. Every 15 minutes from 5 to 7:15 p.m., buses will loop from the corner of St. John and Market Street near San Pedro Square to the corner of Earthquakes Way and Coleman Ave. Fans can also return to downtown by boarding the buses on Earthquakes Way outside
of the stadium’s main gate after the final whistle. Shuttles will run every 15 minutes from 9 to 10:15 p.m. Space is limited.
ARE THERE PREGAME FESTIVITIES? >> The Earthquakes are hosting activities in the Tailgate Lot from 2 to 5 p.m. with live music from DJ Albert Jenkis, BRoos and DJ Basura, beer sampling and Teqball tables for fans to play on. To get to the Tailgate Lot, turn onto Earthquakes Way from Coleman Ave., then turn right onto Wondo Way. The Tailgate Lot is located beyond the Quakes’ training field.
WHEN DO THE GATES OPEN? >> Gates to the stadium open at 5 p.m. Gates open two hours prior to the start of each match.
DO YOU NEED TO BE VACCINATED OR WEAR A MASK FOR ENTRY? >> Following guidance issued by the State of California, the Earthquakes recommend all fans get vaccinated prior to attending matches at PayPal Park. However, it is not mandatory. The Quakes will follow California Department of Public Health guidance
for face coverings at their matches. Right now, masks are not mandatory.
WHAT CAN I BRING INSIDE THE STADIUM? >> Here’s a list of permitted items:
• One 1-liter or 32 oz. or smaller factory-sealed, plastic water bottle per person
• Medically needed food items
• Tablets (must turn on for security check)
• One plastic, clear and empty reusable water bottle
• Deflated soccer balls
• Laptops (must turn on for security check)
• Only small individual snacks in clear plastic bags are allowed in the stadium in addition to medically needed food items.
• Special exceptions for small children or individuals with specific allergies or dietary restrictions will be made.
• Not permitted: Large outside food items (hoagies, fast food, bags of chips, etc.) or coolers.