America First Field

Home of the
Real Salt Lake
Conf:
Western
Opened:
2008
Capacity:
20,213
Supporters Section:
9-11
Visitors Section:
233
Capacity:
2008
Opened:
20,213
Division:
Western
Capacity:
20,213
Opened:
2008
Home Dugout:
Visitor Dugout:
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Getting There

nearest airport

SLC

-

Salt Lake City International Airport

16

Miles away

22

Minutes away

SLC is about 16 miles northwest of America First Field in Sandy, UT. A rideshare from the terminal runs $25–40. The TRAX light rail connects the airport to downtown Salt Lake City, and the Red Line continues south to Sandy Station near the stadium — about 55–65 minutes total. A solid transit option for visitors staying downtown.

Driving & parking

Driving Tips
Take I-15 south to the 9000 South exit, then head east toward Sandy. The stadium is well-signed and easy to navigate from the freeway. Post-match exit via I-15 is generally straightforward.
Parking Cost Estimate:
$10–$20 (on-site America First Field lots)

America First Field has on-site and adjacent parking in the Sandy area. The stadium is primarily a drive-in suburban venue and parking is plentiful. Pre-purchase online for the best rates on big match days.

Tailgating
$10–$20 (on-site America First Field lots)

Real Salt Lake's supporter groups (The Riot Brigade, La Banda de Fierro) create a passionate pre-match atmosphere in the surrounding lots. The Sandy area has limited walkable bar options, so the lots are the main pre-game gathering spot. Arrive early.

Parking Info

public transit

Closest Transit Stop/Station:
Sandy/Expo or Sandy Civic Center (TRAX Red Line)
Transit Lines Served:
TRAX Red Line

The TRAX Red Line stops at Sandy Civic Center or Sandy/Expo, about a 12-minute walk from America First Field. The Red Line connects from downtown Salt Lake City and the airport. UTA extends service on match nights — check rideuta.com for schedules.

Transit Info

walk & bike

Walkability Score:
Not walkable
Best Neighborhood to Walk From:
Sandy (no walkable neighborhood)

America First Field is in a suburban Sandy location with no immediately walkable neighborhood. Driving, rideshare, or TRAX are the practical options for virtually all fans.

Bike Parking:

Bike parking is available at the stadium. The Jordan River Parkway trail network connects the Salt Lake Valley and provides cycling access to the Sandy area.

rideshare

Rideshare drop-off is in the designated zones near the main entrance. Post-match, the Sandy area disperses fairly efficiently — rideshare surge is less severe than at urban venues.

accessibility

Accessible parking is available in ADA-designated spaces in the on-site lots. The accessible drop-off zone is near the main stadium entrance. For accessibility accommodations, contact Real Salt Lake at rsl.com.

At the Game

America First Field is Real Salt Lake's home in Sandy, Utah — a suburb about 15 miles south of Salt Lake City. The stadium opened in 2008 as one of the earlier dedicated soccer stadiums in MLS and holds just over 20,000 fans in a covered, purpose-built venue. The backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains visible beyond the open end of the stadium is one of the more striking natural settings in the league.

The TRAX light rail Red Line stops at Sandy Civic Center, a short walk from the stadium, making it accessible from downtown Salt Lake City in about 30 minutes. Sandy itself is a suburban community without a dense walkable neighborhood around the ground, so transit is the practical option for fans coming from the city. The mountain scenery from inside the stadium on a clear day is worth experiencing, especially during afternoon or early evening kickoffs.

The area surrounding
America First Field
stadium
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Real Salt Lake
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Entry Policy

Outside liquids icon

Drinks

1 sealed water bottle no larger than 32 oz is allowed into the stadium.

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Food

Outside food is not permitted.

Exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs.

Bags/backpacks icon

Bag

America First Field has adopted a “No Bag Policy”.

Bags larger than 4” x 6” x 2” are prohibited.

Medical, cultural, and diaper bags are permitted, but are required to be searched by security.

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SEATING

Best Seats

Lower bowl midfield sections on either side of the halfway line.

America First Field (formerly Rio Tinto Stadium) is a compact soccer-specific venue in Sandy, Utah that opened in 2008. The lower bowl midfield sections are close to the touchline with strong views of the full pitch. Real Salt Lake have a passionate and organized supporter culture, and the compact stadium creates a genuinely good atmosphere on matchdays.

Good Value

Upper midfield sections, which offer a clean elevated view of the full pitch and the Wasatch Mountains backdrop.

The upper bowl midfield sections offer a solid overhead view of the entire pitch with the Wasatch Mountains visible as a backdrop on clear days. The compact stadium keeps the upper sections feeling relatively close to the action. A good value choice for most games, and the mountain views add a distinctive visual appeal to the experience.

Avoid These

End goal sections — the supporter section at the south end (La Barra Real and The Rogue Pigeons) is energetic but standing and limited for tactical viewing.

The south end supporter section brings strong atmosphere to America First Field but is standing and focused on creating noise rather than watching the game. End goal sections offer steep angles to the far goal. Corner sections are similarly restricted. Midfield in the lower or upper bowl is the consistent choice for traditional game-watching.

Sun

The west side of the stadium shades earlier — the east side faces west and gets more direct afternoon sun, and Utah UV intensity is high at altitude.

America First Field is oriented roughly north-south. The west side benefits from shade earlier in the afternoon. The east side faces west and gets more direct afternoon sun for evening kickoffs. Salt Lake City’s elevation (4,300 feet) means UV intensity is notably higher than at sea level — sunscreen is important regardless of which side you’re on, even on cloudy days.

Weather

Salt Lake City altitude means high UV and variable spring weather — early-season games can be cold, and afternoon thunderstorms are possible in summer.

America First Field is open-air at roughly 4,300 feet elevation. Early-season games in March and April can be cold and occasionally snowy. Summer games are warm and pleasant, though afternoon thunderstorms can develop. UV intensity at altitude is high year-round. Fall games in September and October are typically excellent conditions. The dry Utah climate means rain is less frequent than at most MLS venues, but temperature variability is significant across the season.

Special Features

The Wasatch Range Backdrop

Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah sits with the Wasatch Range visible beyond the open south end of the stadium. The mountain backdrop — particularly striking at dusk when snow-capped peaks glow in the late light — is one of the most dramatic natural settings of any stadium in MLS. It's a genuinely spectacular place to watch a game.

Supporters

Tailgate
Supporters Sections
9-11
Visitors Sections
233

Possibly 233-234 for bigger groups

Sections 9, 10, and 11 (South Goal) are part of the general admission seating area, portions of which are roped off to accommodate supporter groups in those areas. There is chanting, standing, singing, drums, banners, flags, smoke, and more in the South Goal. Section 26 (NW corner) is a recognized supporter group that does stand, chant, sing and have flags. Section 35 is currently a non-recognized group that stands the entire game. For specific questions about potential seating areas, please contact Fan Relations at 844-REAL-TIX. If you wish to be relocated after arriving to the stadium, visit the Season Ticket Headquarters desk on the East Concourse.

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IN THE STANDS APPAREL

In the Stands offers apparel for fans who enjoy visiting ballparks and stadiums. While we all have our favorite teams, there are times when they aren't the ones playing. Our goal is to create a sense of community and camaraderie whenever you see someone wearing In the Stands apparel.

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