The Carson Experience

I was invited to the Browns vs Chargers game. I gave it some deep thought as I swore I would never attend a game there this year. Curiosity got the best of me and I agreed. My host was Mike Whitmore who actually resides in LA. Our friendship goes before the move from San Diego to Carson and we kept our friendship during the tough times for fans from their perspective cities of LA and San Diego.

 My day started at 5:30am in the morning. I got up excited for the new adventure that I was ready to embark on. I missed my tailgate friends so much. I've made so many friendships during the tailgating experience at The Murph. I went to Donney Cummings house who a member of Bolt Pride and was with me with the Save Our Bolts tenure. We met up with some other fans as well as some Browns fans to make the drive to Carson together. The commute was not to bad at all.

We drove but I know several fans who choose to do the bus experience with www.5northbolt.com. It's a great idea by Shawn Grace who provides the buses. It's all you can eat and drink for the day for just $100.00. Considering the parking for the tailgates is $100.00 and a DUI is $10,000, Shawn has presented fans with a unique experience.

 We got to Carson in a little over an hour. We gathered at a parking lot of Buffalo Wild Wings. I'd say about 80 fans then squeezed together to have less cars paying $100.00 to Dean Spanos.It has been a long time since I hung out with a massive amount of fans and seeing old faces along with meeting new fans who well rejoiced.

 In about 10 minutes we parked at Lot 11 Silver which is otherwise known as "ThunderAlley". ThunderAlley is a LA version of Bolt Pride A4. The first expression I had was the parking lot was much smaller. Going from Jack Murphy stadium 19,000 spaces to Stubhub 4500 spaces that can go to 8500. You can Park at the Red Lot for $40.00 but tailgating is prohibited there. Tailgating is allowed at the Silver, Gold, Bronze, Black and Platinum sections for a C note. Red, Blue and Green has the 40.00 parking.

 One major issue I have is paying $100.00 for tailgating and they do not allow post game tailgating. This is a MAJOR issue and I relayed that to the team. You can not tailgate during the game either.  These are major issues that I hope to address with the team in the offseason. But they are renters at Stubhub.

When I addressed the team with my concerns the response was "The place has gotten overwhelmingly positive reviews from fans, especially season ticket holders." So I don't expect any changes this year or next. A major bummer and will probably cost them season ticket holders from San Diego not renewing in 2018.

 Thunder Alley is a very long aisle in the Silver section of food, music and dancing that resembled A4. The DJ's were still cranking tunes and it is a good time. I felt totally lost though because the Murph is so familiar but Stubhub was brand new. It was a weird feeling before the game. 

 At the other side of the parking lot is where the LA fans gather together. I went there cause I hope to help bridge the gap of anger between the San Diego Charger fans and the LA Charger fans. A article addressing this will be out soon called "California Love." They had an equal good time of music, beer and food. I hung out there for awhile and they were awesome in making me feel welcomed. If I go back to carson visiting with the LA group will happen for sure. I thank them as well for making me feel so welcomed with their group.

 When I went into Carson my first impression was wow no lines. The restrooms were actually clean and the layout of vendors were perfectly placed. They even have a small area with TV's where you can go charge up your phones. My heart grew a little at that sight. The Murph killed your power before you even made it to your seat. I sat with Bolt Pride in the end zone where the players come out of the tunnel. If I had to pick a word to describe Stubhub it would be cozy. 

 Instead of seats clumped together like sardines at the Murph there was plenty of foot room. We sat on bleachers instead of seats but the view and how close you are to the action more than makes up for it. You feel like a player running into the endzone could win up in your lap. It is very small in all aspects. For a fan it is amazing and well worth the experience. There were a few empty seats but you had to look for them and the Browns to Charger fans were 80-20% I'd say. 

 Fans would would make noise on 3rd downs but the sound never reached NFL crowd standards. It is much like watching a minor college football game. I would imagine the road teams adore the Hub because it is not a home field advantage type of place. With the way the season going this year and unlike the previous years. The Murph would have been rocking 60,000 fans with ear piercing noise. But it is what it is. 

 It was Alumni day and the halftime introduction of Charlie Joiner and Ron Mix was accepted among the crowd like when Dean would have Mira Mesa High School band perform during halftime. No tradition in LA and it did show. 

 At the end of the game we went to the Silver parking lot. There were already 4 police cars on their bullhorns telling fans to leave the lot. It actually ruined a otherwise great day. The cops sat in the jeeps 4 to 5 police officers to a car harassing the fans who were trying to celebrate a win. After awhile we did comply and headed out of the Stubhub lot. It was time to make the 1.5 hours back to San Diego.

 It was a different experience is the best use of expression to describe my experience. I know people who love Stubhub and I know people that hate it worth a passion. Just two more years than Inglewood is due to open. It is all so different. So do you like the Stubhub Center or do you find fault with it? Let me know in the comment section and feel free to share the article.Thanks for coming bye and reading as always.