Expect more events at Valley Children’s Stadium in 2026, Fresno State president says
Emboldened by the success of August’s sold-out Shakira concert, Fresno State president Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval told The Bee the university is doubling down with plans to host multiple events at the football stadium in 2026.
Jiménez-Sandoval said in a Monday interview that the university expects to host three to four events at Valley Children’s Stadium next year that will rival of the scale of this year’s Shakira concert.
The city’s first-ever stadium concert drew more than 30,000 fans and generated about $400,000 in revenue for the university.
Jiménez-Sandoval did not delve into specifics, but his comments confirm for the first time that the university plans to continue to establish Valley Children’s Stadium as a premier entertainment venue for the region.
Additional events at Valley Children’s Stadium would likely be a major financial boon for the university.
“The reality is, if we can get a few of these a year that’s going to be really helpful,” Fresno State athletics director Garrett Klassy told The Bee after the Shakira concert in August.
While some complained about limited food options, parking and long lines to enter the stadium, many attendees of the Shakira concert said they had a generally positive experience at the stadium.
In addition to the revenue for Fresno State, Visit Fresno County told The Bee that out-of-town visitors spent $2,142,286 on lodging, local transportation, retail and recreation while in Fresno for the Shakira show.
This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 11:25 AM.
