San Diego Sports Arena/AEG Management & Pechanga Resort Casino Announce Naming Rights Agreement for Iconic Venue

SAN DIEGO – (Dec. 12, 2018) – The San Diego Sports Arena has a brand new name as of last week. The San Diego City Council approved Pechanga as the new naming rights holder of the historic arena. San Diegans and the hundreds of thousands of event goers who visit the arena every year will see the name Pechanga Arena San Diego across the marquee of the iconic building that has hosted some of music’s brightest stars including Taylor Swift, Janet Jackson, Garth Brooks, Queen, and so many more. The city council’s approval solidifies the partnership between the sports arena’s management and parent company, AEG Management SD, LLC and Pechanga Resort Casino of Temecula, Calif. A complete signage changeover expected to happen by Saturday, December 21.

The Pechanga and AEG Management contract is set for five years. The naming rights agreement ensures the venue will continue to be a top destination in Southern California for headline artists, regional sports teams and other entertainment performances.

AEG Management officials reached out to Pechanga about venue naming rights in the fall after learning another Southern California casino would not be renewing its naming rights contract. Arena officials believe the new partnership will further assist them in recruiting top entertainment and sustain its three sporting tenants, the San Diego Gulls, San Diego Sockers and the San Diego Seals.

“We have several partnerships with organizations that are synonymous with Southern California entertainment including the Lakers, the Angels, and Staples Center,” said Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. “Believe it or not, the San Diego Sports Arena is the closest major arena to Pechanga, so when they reached out to us, we were excited by the opportunity to partner with this historic venue.”

“We are thrilled about this partnership with Pechanga Resort Casino,” said Ernest Hahn, senior vice president and general manager of AEG Management SD, LLC. “The Pechanga name and reputation carries a lot of weight in the entertainment industry. This partnership will afford us new opportunities and ensures that San Diego will continue to receive the best in premium entertainment and sporting events.” 

“Large-venue naming rights opportunities rarely avail themselves within the Southern California entertainment landscape,” said Jared Munoa, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “We’re very pleased to have been considered for this possibility. We think it’s a reflection of the Pechanga brand and the refinement it carries. A lot of San Diegans are familiar with Pechanga and who we are, and this partnership helps us strengthen that connection.”

Pechanga is already working on changing over the extensive branding marks throughout the arena and expects to have the project fully complete by December 21.

The sports arena has plans in the works to make improvements to its venue and service offerings including repaving the guest parking lot, upgrading ticketing and others that are being considered in its budgeting process.

About Pechanga Resort Casino
Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the country. Named the number one casino in the country by USA TODAY and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 4,600 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,090 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort & Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

About AEG Management SD, LLC (formerly Valley View Casino Center/San Diego Sports Arena) Part of the AEG Facilities network of 100 venues worldwide, AEG Management SD, LLC and newly named Pechanga Arena San Diego (formerly Valley View Casino Center and San Diego Sports Arena) provide the widest range of premium entertainment to over 750,000 people each year. According to Billboard Magazine and News Today, the venue is the #5 Facility in the world for venues with 10,001 to 15,000 seats. Pechanga Arena San Diego is the ideal multi-purpose facility for guests of all ages to enjoy the best in live entertainment and is centrally located off of the I-8 and I-5 freeways at 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. in Point Loma, San Diego.