LionTree

Located in the sunny city of San Diego, the modern LionTree Arena is the beating heart of athletic life at the University of California, San Diego. This impressive multi-purpose complex, part of the massive RIMAC center, is considered one of the most technologically advanced in the USA. Spanning nearly 200,000 square feet, it provides ideal conditions for both professional athletes and thousands of enthusiastic spectators.

The arena's main feature is its versatility. The vast hall, featuring professional Robbins Bio-Cushion I sprung flooring, can easily be transformed into five basketball courts or layouts for volleyball and badminton. The stadium's capacity varies from 4,000 to 4,500 people, allowing it to host not only heated sports battles but also large-scale concerts, lectures by world-class speakers, and formal ceremonies.

Following a recent renovation, LionTree Arena was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a massive 50-foot Daktronics digital screen and a modern broadcasting studio for ESPN telecasts. The bright, naturally lit space and comfortable VIP boxes make attending any event here a truly unforgettable experience.

For event schedules or facility rental inquiries, you can use the following contact information:

The primary reason to visit this venue is, of course, the sports matches. Here, you can watch the men's and women's Tritons basketball and volleyball teams live in action. The energy of the stands supporting their heroes creates an incredible home advantage that every sports fan should experience. The massive media screen ensures you won't miss a single detail of the game, even from the furthest row.

If sports aren't your main interest, the arena will surprise you with its variety of cultural events. It frequently hosts concerts by popular artists, speeches by famous orators, and large community exhibitions. Thanks to the ability to partition the hall into zones, visitors can sometimes watch training sessions or even participate in amateur badminton tournaments on the legendary sprung flooring.

Interestingly, the arena often serves as a temporary home for NBA teams during their preseason training camps. While walking through the complex, you might catch a glimpse of the VIP lounge or see the Dana Chaiken professional studio at work, where content is created for leading sports channels. This is a place where high technology meets sporting passion, offering entertainment for every taste.

Getting to the arena, located on the UC San Diego campus in the picturesque La Jolla neighborhood, is quite simple. If you are driving via Interstate 5, take the Genesee Avenue exit and head west. Then turn left onto North Torrey Pines Road, another left onto Northpoint Drive, and continue through two stop signs. For precise navigation, you can use the coordinates 32.8852786, -117.2391227.

Public transport is an excellent alternative to a private car. You can take the UCSD Triton Transit buses or the MTS trolley system (routes 101 and 201), which stop right by the campus. From the city center, it is convenient to take a taxi or use ridesharing services; the trip from San Diego International Airport (SAN) takes only about 20–25 minutes.

For those who prefer active travel, the campus is equipped with an extensive network of bike paths. You can use a bike-share program or walk from nearby stops while enjoying the university campus atmosphere. Keep in mind that visitors may need a special permit for parking on campus grounds.

This sports facility began its history in January 1995. Originally, the venue was known as RIMAC Arena and was part of the massive Recreation, Intramural and Athletic Complex. At the time of its opening, it was one of the largest and most technically advanced facilities within the NCAA Division III program, setting a high bar for college sports in the region.

In September 2018, after 24 years of successful operation, the arena underwent its first major renovation. The update project was overseen by the renowned firm NBBJ, with construction handled by Turner Construction Company. Symbolically, the process was led by Brett Stuckey—a university alumnus and former Tritons basketball player. The reconstruction transformed the arena into an ultra-modern space featuring VIP areas and advanced digital systems.

A new chapter in the stadium's history began in the summer of 2022, when it was officially renamed LionTree Arena. This renaming was the result of a generous donation toward scholarship programs for student-athletes. The event coincided with the university's transition to the prestigious NCAA Division I, finalising the arena's status as a leading sports venue in California.

When planning your visit, consider the type of event. If you have come to cheer for your favorite team at a basketball or volleyball match, you should set aside about 2–3 hours. This is enough time to enjoy the game, see the halftime shows, and soak up the exciting stadium atmosphere.

For those visiting the arena as part of a campus tour or who simply want to see the modern architecture and infrastructure of the complex, 1 hour will be sufficient. However, for a major concert or a commencement ceremony, the event may last 3 hours or more, so plan your evening with some extra time in mind.

The operating schedule for LionTree Arena depends directly on the sports game calendar and scheduled events. The arena is always open to visitors during Tritons home games, concerts, and special ceremonies. Please note that there is no fixed daily schedule for public access to the stands.

Typically, administrative offices and access for organizational inquiries are open on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, before your visit, we strongly recommend checking the official website ucsdtritons.com to confirm the current start times for the events you are interested in and to avoid arriving when the doors are closed.

A visit to the arena can easily be combined with exploring other points of interest. Its location in the La Jolla area provides access to many entertainment centers and theme parks that will make your day in San Diego even more eventful.

Below are the nearest attractions that are convenient to reach from the sports complex: