Hornet's Nest
Home of the Hornets at Fred Anderson Field at Hornet Stadium.
The Hornet's Nest is a nickname for Hornet Stadium, the home field of the Sacramento State Hornets football program. The team currently competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and are members of the Big Sky Conference. The school's first football team was fielded in 1954. The team plays its home games at the 21,195-seat Hornet Stadium. The Sacramento State Hornets football team drew an average home attendance of 13,348 in 2023. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, Sacramento State will become a full member of the Big West Conference, a conference that does not sponsor football. The Hornets agreed to a five-year membership with the Mid-American Conference as a football-only member, allowing the team to transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) beginning July 1, 2026.
- Location
- Sacramento, California
- Affiliation
- Sacramento State Hornets
- Seating Capacity
- 21,195
- Notable Feature
- Hosted the U.S. Olympic Trials for track and field in 2000 and 2004 at Hornet Stadium
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Hornet Stadium has been home to the football team since 1969. The stadium is officially named Fred Anderson Field at Hornet Stadium. It is a 21,195-seat college football and track stadium on the campus of California State University, Sacramento. It opened 56 years ago on September 20, 1969. The field was natural grass for its first 41 seasons; FieldTurf was installed in 2010. The largest Sacramento State football crowd occurred on November 18, 2023 when 24,107 fans saw the Hornets face UC Davis in the Causeway Classic. The stadium has also been the home stadium of the Sacramento Surge of the WLAF, the Sacramento Gold Miners of the Canadian Football League and the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. It hosted the U.S. Olympic Trials for track and field in 2000 and 2004 at Hornet Stadium.
In Their Own Story
On November 19, 2022, the Hornets set a school record for highest attendance for a football game, winning the Causeway Classic over UC Davis 27–21 in their regular season home finale with an official crowd of 23,073. The 2022 team went on to go undefeated in the regular season for the first time in school history, finishing 11–0, alongside setting a record for most wins in a season at 12. The team also achieved the highest rankings in the major FCS polls, reaching as high as No. 2 in both the STATS and the Coaches Polls. Prior to that, on September 24, 2011, the Hornets defeated FCS national power Montana, the program's first win ever over the Grizzlies, by a score of 42–28 in Hornet Stadium.
Reader's Guide
The Hornets play their home games at Fred Anderson Field at Hornet Stadium, located on the Sacramento State campus. The stadium has a seating capacity of 21,195. The largest crowd to ever witness an event at Fred Anderson Field was when the Sacramento Surge defeated the Barcelona Dragons in the World League playoffs on May 30, 1992 in front of 26,445 fans. The Hornets' biggest rival is UC Davis, and the annual game is known as the Causeway Classic. UC Davis leads the series 46–23. Another notable rivalry is with Cal Poly, designated as 'protected rivals' in scheduling by the Big Sky Conference; from 1967 to 2024, the Mustangs and Hornets have met 43 times, with Cal Poly leading the series, 22–21.
Did You Know?
- The largest Sacramento State football crowd at Hornet Stadium was 24,107 on November 18, 2023.
- The largest crowd ever to witness an event at Fred Anderson Field was 26,445 for a World League playoff game in 1992.
- Hornet Stadium opened on September 20, 1969.
- The field was natural grass for its first 41 seasons; FieldTurf was installed in 2010.
- The stadium hosted the U.S. Olympic Trials for track and field in 2000 and 2004 at Hornet Stadium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the term Hornet's Nest refer to in Rams history?
This nickname describes the intense atmosphere and intimidating presence of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum when hosting home games. It symbolizes how difficult it is for opposing teams to navigate the passionate Southern California fanbase within this historic venue.
Where is the Hornet's Nest located geographically?
The stadium sits in Exposition Park, located in the city of Los Angeles, California. It serves as the permanent home ground for the franchise during their tenure in the region.
When did the Rams first begin playing at this venue?
The Rams officially started their tenure playing at this venue in 1945. This marked the beginning of a long legacy that includes multiple championship eras for the organization.
Which legendary group is associated with the Hornet's Nest?
The famous defensive line known as the Fearsome Foursome roared to life within these walls during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their dominance helped forge legends and defined a golden era for Southern California football culture.
What is the seating capacity for NFL games at this stadium?
The venue holds approximately 70,000 spectators or more during regular professional matches. This large capacity contributes to the overwhelming noise level that defines the Hornet's Nest experience.
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