SACRAMENTO — UC Davis and Sacramento State have announced early plans to collaborate on a new shared football facility located in West Sacramento. The proposed stadium, tentatively named the Causeway Coliseum, would seat approximately 25,000 fans and serve as the home field for both programs starting in 2029.

The joint project is estimated to cost around $450 million and is being described by university officials as an opportunity to pool resources and build a modern facility that benefits both institutions. The stadium would be located roughly halfway between the two campuses, near Raley Field, and would align with West Sacramento’s broader plans to revitalize the city’s riverfront and River Walk area.

The announcement follows Sacramento State’s recent exploration of building a new stadium, and its stated intention to pursue membership in a restructured Pac-12 Conference. UC Davis, meanwhile, recently announced that it will join the Mountain West Conference in all conference-sponsored sports, except for football, which will continue to compete in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Big Sky Conference.

University officials believe that a joint-use stadium could raise the national profiles of both programs and position them as viable candidates for future elevation to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The facility is being designed to meet FBS facility standards, positioning both programs to pursue opportunities that may arise from future conference realignment.

“This project is about long-term vision,” said Mark Orr, director of athletics at Sacramento State. “It reflects the growth of our program and the region as a whole. A shared stadium in West Sacramento gives us the ability to think big — something worthy of our fans, student-athletes, and future ambitions.”

Rocko DeLuca, UC Davis director of athletics, echoed the sentiment.

“This is a smart move for both universities,” DeLuca said. “It strengthens the Causeway rivalry, creates better infrastructure for our teams, and positions us well for what's coming in college athletics over the next decade.”

University administrators said construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with the goal of completing the stadium ahead of the 2029 football season. Funding for the project will come from a combination of contributions from both universities, and the city of West Sacramento, and officials emphasized that the stadium will be built without increasing student fees at either campus.

In addition to shared athletic spaces, the facility will feature sustainability-focused infrastructure and is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification, with planners citing goals such as solar energy integration, water reuse systems, and the use of recycled construction materials. The stadium is also expected to serve as a multi-use venue, with plans to host concerts, high school championships, and regional sporting events to benefit the broader Sacramento region.

Under the current proposal, UC Davis and Sacramento State would alternate home game weekends during the fall, with a flexible turf and lighting system allowing the field and stadium environment to be customized for each team. Officials also noted that the annual Causeway Classic would remain a neutral-site rivalry game with split fan sections and alternating designations for “home” team status each year.

Both universities plan to release additional information as the project moves through the planning and approval process.


Link: www.sacbee․com/sports/college/article299871204.html