OCEANSIDE — A night of high-energy dance routines synchronized to pulsating pop music marked the Sept. 16 opening of Frontwave Arena, Oceanside’s new sports and entertainment venue, with a performance by Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles.
Fans eagerly awaited the show, performing flips, cartwheels and other gymnastics moves outside the 170,000-square-foot arena at El Corazon Sports Complex near Oceanside Boulevard and Rancho del Oro Drive.
The event marked the official opening of the $85 million Frontwave Arena, which is named after Frontwave Credit Union and aims to host more than 100 events a year, including professional sports games and concerts.
“After a year and a half of construction and two years of architectural development, we are thrilled to see this massive project finally come to fruition,” said Josh Elias, co-founder and CEO of Frontwave Arena. “We’ve overcome many challenges, and I couldn’t be more proud to see our vision for an independently owned venue – for San Diegans and by San Diegans – realized.”
The facility boasts advanced features such as acoustic absorption insulation throughout the bowl to minimize noise and echo, two high-definition video scoreboards, a 360-degree ribbon board, and broadcast-ready video production capabilities.
The arena, home to the Sockers indoor soccer team and the LA Clippers’ G-League basketball team, seats more than 6,000 fans for sporting events and up to 7,600 for concerts. The venue also includes a full-service restaurant, bars, concessions, a plaza area and sixteen luxury suites.
The arena will host traveling sports events such as the AVP Beach Volleyball League, USA vs. Mexico in the International FANCLB Cup, and a highly anticipated NBA preseason matchup on Oct. 8 between the LA Clippers and the Brooklyn Nets.
Local residents see the venue as a major win for the city.
“It’s going to be very healthy for the city,” said Maria Schmidt, one of the event attendees.
Frontwave Arena is located at 3475 Hero Drive in Oceanside, four miles from Interstate 5, five miles from Oceanside Transit Center, a half-mile from the Rancho Del Oro Sprinter Station and 40 miles from the San Diego International Airport. Parking includes 2,600 general parking spaces and 650 VIP parking spaces.
For more information, visit https://frontwavearena.com/.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Simone Biles performed on Sept. 19. Biles performed on Sept. 16 and 17, marking the arena’s first events. The official grand opening ceremony took place on Sept. 19.
