Memorable Moments at Qualcomm Stadium All Star Game Site: 1978 & '92  World Series Site: 1984 & '98 Willie Mays' 600th career homerun on September 22, 1969. Lou Brock's record 839th stolen base on August 29, 1977. Superstar Tony Gwynn since 1984. QUALCOMM STADIUM 9449 Friars Road San Diego, California 92108 Ballpark Store More Ballpark Items

 

   At one time, it was hard to tell that Qualcomm Stadium was a multipurpose stadium, but since an expansion in 1997, that has changed. After years of having minor league teams playing in San Diego, local sportswriter Jack Murphy began to build up support to build a new stadium in the mid 1960’s. The new stadium would be the home to the San Diego Chargers (NFL), and an expansion franchise which began playing at the stadium in 1969. Located in Mission Valley outside San Diego, construction on the massive four tiered stadium began in 1965. The first game was played on April 19, 1967 between the Chargers and the Detroit Lions. The Pacific Coast League’s Padres played at the stadium until 1969 when the expansion San Diego Padres began playing there on April 8, 1969. Only 23,370 people filled the 50,000 seat stadium on opening day.

      San Diego Stadium was the name of the ballpark until 1981 when it was renamed after the late Jack Murphy. With its natural grass field and multicolored seats, "The Murph" as it was known, was one of the best looking stadiums in baseball. The scoreboard has remained it the same place behind the right-center field seats, since the stadium opened. Open beyond the right and centerfield bleachers, views of hillsides could be seen until more seats were added. The stadium seating capacity has changed many times throughout the years. The right-field bleachers were expanded after the 1983 season, enclosing the field fully for the first time and bringing the capacity up to 59,022. The most substantial change came when in 1997 when over 10,000 seats were added in behind the outfield for the Super Bowl, bringing the capacity to 67,544. Jack Murphy Stadium was also renamed to Qualcomm Stadium in 1997. Today, Qualcomm Stadium looks more like a football stadium than a baseball stadium. The bullpens are located down both the first and third base lines, and palm trees are beyond the outfield fence. The San Diego Padres are planning to move out of Qualcomm Stadium and into a new stadium by 2004.

           
  
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Name: Qualcomm Stadium 
Location: San Diego, CA
Tenants: San Diego Padres (MLB), San Diego Chargers (NFL)
Capacity: 47,972 (MLB), 59,000 (NFL)
Surface:  Grass 
Construction Began: May 24, 1964
Opened: May 12, 1966 , April 8, 1969 (MLB)
Cost: $27.8 Million
Dimensions: 327-L, 405-C, 330-R
Architect: Unknown 
Seating Chart

Ballpark Photos

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