The rest of the season will be played at CSU East Bay. Any tickets for Laney College will be honored!
Have you been to a pro soccer game with your kids? The Oakland Roots Soccer Club is a prominent, young professional soccer team based right here in the {510}. From March through October, the Laney College Football Cal State East Bay Stadium becomes home to the Roots.
We went to our first Oakland Roots game this season and hesitantly took our six- and three-year-olds. To our surprise, they actually had a blast trying to match the energy in the stadium – clapping, chanting, and banging their bam bams (a free giveaway). Children of all ages were in attendance, from babies watching through their slings, toddlers running up and down the bleachers, and tweens decked out in soccer gear.
What to Expect at an Oakland Roots Game
Even if sitting through a game proves to be a challenge, there is plenty to do around the stadium. There are food trucks, tents with giveaways, and little shops set up outside the stadium with a county fair type of vibe. This area is blocked off from traffic so it’s safe for kids to roam freely. There are also extensive grassy areas and a duck pond with a pedestrian bridge to entertain the little ones.
We love the Roots! Now a part of the second division USL Championship, the soccer club not only embodies ambitious players but also partners with several organizations dedicated to uplifting Oakland. NFL superstar and Oakland native, Marshawn Lynch, is also part owner and partner with Oakland Roots, expanding their initiatives to help Oakland children and their families.
Plan your Oakland Roots Game Day
Tickets: Prices generally start at $25 per person, but vary. Kids under 5 are FREE. Find ticket info here.
Food: Food trucks are set up with a variety of options from soul food to Mexican fare. You can also bring your own.
Restrooms: There are spacious restrooms onsite, and portable toilets as well.
Parking: Find FREE parking at the East 8th St Parking Lot. BART is also an option with a ½-mile walk from the Lake Merritt Station.
What to Bring: Bring blankets, jackets, and hats; wear comfortable shoes (quite a walk from the parking lot plus you’ll want to venture around the stadium). Walkways are stroller-friendly. Bring a credit card as all purchases are cashless.
Pro tip: If you come with a group and want to make this extra memorable, you can tailgate in the parking lot.
Oakland Roots games are definitely a great option for a night of family fun, and the overall vibe felt very communal. The drums, the signs, the “Let’s Go Oakland” chants, and a very diverse fan base made us feel like we were at an A’s game. We plan to go back and become regulars to root root root for the Roots.
Can’t get enough East Bay sports? Check out the Oakland Spiders games and, of course, the Oakland A’s.
Upcoming Oakland Roots Home Games
Oakland Roots play in Oakland from March 25 through October 14 with cool theme nights like Carnival and Rooted Soul.
Location: CSU East Bay, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward
Website for updated schedule and ticket purchase >
Gates open about an hour before game time.
