Class of 2026 Cougars are going to graduate at home.
Capistrano Valley High’s new campus stadium is completed and ready to host next week’s commencement ceremony.
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Capistrano Valley High School leaders are joined by Capistrano Unified School District and City of Mission Viejo officials as they cut a ribbon to celebrate the completion of a newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School families tour a new locker room during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the school’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School’s newly renovated stadium is complete with a new press box that overlooks the field, unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony, in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School families look on from the bleachers as school leaders, as well as Capistrano Unified School District and City of Mission Viejo officials, participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the school’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School cheerleaders run onto the field in the school’s newly renovated stadium during a ribbon cutting ceremony in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School families check out the new grand entrance during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the school’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School families tour a new locker room during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the school’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School families tour what will become the pep squad team room during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the school’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School families tour a new commission stand during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the school’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School cheerleaders perform on the field in the school’s newly renovated stadium during a ribbon cutting ceremony in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mission Viejo City Council Member Trish Kelley and Capistrano Unified School District Trustees Gila Jones and Judy Bullockus, from left, add their voices of congratulations during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School families look on from the bleachers as school leaders, as well as Capistrano Unified School District and City of Mission Viejo officials, participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the school’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School leaders are joined by Capistrano Unified School District and City of Mission Viejo officials as they cut a ribbon to celebrate the completion of a newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Capistrano Valley High School marching band, also known as the Black and Gold Brigade, files onto the field in the school’s newly renovated stadium during a ribbon cutting ceremony in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Unified School District Superintended Dr. Christopher Brown speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the Capistrano Valley High School’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School leaders, as well as Capistrano Unified School District and City of Mission Viejo officials, participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the school’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Capistrano Valley High School marching band, also known as the Black and Gold Brigade, performs the school’s fight song during a ribbon cutting ceremony in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School families tour what will become a new weight room during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the school’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Unified School District Superintended Dr. Christopher Brown speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the Capistrano Valley High School’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Capistrano Valley High School marching band, also known as the Black and Gold Brigade, files onto the field in the school’s newly renovated stadium during a ribbon cutting ceremony in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School families look on from the bleachers as school leaders, as well as Capistrano Unified School District and City of Mission Viejo officials, participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the school’s newly renovated, state-of-the art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A rainbow appears over the newly renovated stadium at Capistrano Valley High School during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the stadium’s completion in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School Principal John Misustin welcomes school families and local dignitaries to a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the school’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School leaders are joined by Capistrano Unified School District and City of Mission Viejo officials as they cut a ribbon to celebrate the completion of a newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ExpandSchool and local officials gave it a test run during a recent ribbon cutting celebrating the $21.5 million project that replaced the old stadium with a modern athletic facility built from the ground up.
The stadium features new bleachers, concessions and ticket buildings, a press box with elevator access, restrooms and the players will enjoy new team rooms and a building dedicated to weight training.
A new scoreboard will track games, new lighting will illuminate night play and a new sound system will add to the experience.
The new field and surrounding track “provide a high-quality playing surface that supports athletic performance and safety,” district officials said.
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Nearly 1,000 more people can be accommodated, with seating now for 2,750. There is now seating for 2,000 Cougar fans on the home-team side of the stadium.
The project, which broke ground about a year ago, was funded through a combination of state matching funds and remaining city of Mission Viejo redevelopment funds.
Last year’s graduation had to be hosted at Saddleback College because of the construction.
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This year’s ceremony starts at 4 p.m. on June 4.