Qualcomm Stadium


By Seth Taylor

Qualcomm Stadium was originally known as the San Diego Stadium -Jack Murphy Stadium. The project officially started in 1965 after Jack Murphy drummed up support for a new stadium. The first game was played on August 27, 1967.

The Chargers were the first team to take the field in the new stadium. At this time, it was named the San Diego Stadium. It wasn’t until Jack Murphy passed away in 1980 that the stadium was renamed San Diego-Jack Murphy.

Qualcomm Stadium Facts

Since the stadium was first built in, the 60’s, there have been a number of changes. Original seating capacity was 50,000, however after renovations seating is now up to 70,561. All the specs for the stadium include:
  • Seating capacity Football - 70,561
  • Concession stands- 55
  • Restrooms- men 44
  • Restrooms- women 50
  • Entrances- 16
  • Ticket windows- 53
  • Lounges- 4
  • Elevators – 11
  • Wheel Chair lifts- 5
  • Executive suites- 113
In addition to all of the above, there are many novelty stands, restaurants, gift shops and drinking fountains. All of this sits on 166 landscaped acres in a neighborhood known as Mission Valley, which is just off the interchange of interstate eight and15.

Teams

Qualcomm Stadium has been and is home to several teams, both football and baseball teams share this stadium. The first team to call it home were the Chargers. They first played there in 1967 and still call it home today. Other teams that have called it home are:
  • San Diego State Aztecs – NCAA
  • San Diego Padres – Baseball NL
  • San Diego Sockers- NASL
  • San Diego Jaws- NASL

Parking

When you drive up to Qualcomm Stadium you cannot help but be, impressed by the 122-acre parking lot that is host to 19,000 parking spaces. With that many spaces, you would think there would be plenty of room.

For large events, however it is not, and when the lot is full they close it. They encourage guest to car pool and arrive at least three hours early to get into the parking lot. If you arrive and it is closed don’t worry they have trolley sites where you can park your car and ride the trolley to the big game.

Possible New Stadium

Since early 2003, there has been talk about a new stadium for the Chargers. The Qualcomm Stadium has become outdated and has many obsolete features from a NFL standpoint. New sites that have been discussed are Ocean Side and Chula Vista, California.

The team originally talked extensively with the city of San Diego about building a new $800 million dollar structure on the parking lot of the current building, however all talks have stalled and it looks like they are moving to a new city.

Ocean Side

Ocean Side looked like the most promising site because many of the fans were located in the county. Approximately 8500 charger fans live in North County. After several talks about the possible traffic and environmental issues, the Ocean Side site has been scrapped in favor of Chula Vista.

Chula Vista

Several sites are being discussed in Chula Vista, including:
  • A site southwest of the Olympic Training Center
  • Adjacent to the Bay Front Convention Center
  • Private property owned by Homefed Corp.
Each site has issues that must be resolved before plans can continue. Recently San Diego voted in a new city attorney and some had hoped this might turn talks back to the city.

However according to an interview with Chargers President Dean Spanos plans are still for Chula Vista. He is quoted as saying, “We are still working really hard with the city of Chula Vista… The key will be the power plant.”


-----------------------------
About the Author:

Seth Taylor is the author of the NFL Ticket Guide an e-book that provides NFL fans with tricks and techniques to obtain discount NFL tickets. The guide covers a variety of ways to acquire tickets to help fans get into the game.

Copyright © 2008 NFL Ticket Guide. All Rights Reserved.