For the first time in the 78 year history of Palomar College, the Comet Football program has a home field advantage.  The Palomar College Football Stadium opened to a standing room only crowd on September 5, 2024. 

It was nearly two years ago when the College broke ground on the project.  The timeline was impacted by the record breaking rainfall in 2023 and early 2024, not to mention tropical storm Hilary in the late part of the summer in 2023.  The long-awaited stadium seats over 3,600 and will provide student athletes with a premier venue to refine their talent and aspire to new heights in a sport they love.

Palomar College Superintendent/President, Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey presided over the celebration.  “This stadium is phenomenal, and we now have a tremendous opportunity to better serve our student athletes and our surrounding communities,” she said.  “Clearly, this football stadium has been a labor of love and pride for so many, and it is a moment in history that we will always value.”

The design and development of the stadium was a collaborative effort with Palomar College leadership and HMC Architects, Erickson-Hall Construction Company, and the Barrie Company along with numerous other vendor partners. 

Athletics Director Daniel Lynds mentioned the emotion generated by the opening of the stadium.  Some employees have been a part of the athletics department for more than 30 years and the completion of the stadium is a dream come true for them.  “To see the smiles on the faces of former Comet Football players, current and former staff and coaches that now know it was their hard work and achievements that contributed to this moment, is really special,” he said.  

“The football program is 76 years old, and they’ve never played a genuine home game. It’s exciting for our student athletes and coaches and Palomar College to have an authentic home field advantage,” Director Lynds added.

The first-ever home game will be played on September 7 at 5:00 p.m.  The College is looking forward to a sell out crowd.