Qualcomm Stadium, once home to the Chargers and, prior to the construction of Petco Park, the San Diego Padres, is no more.

The site was sold to San Diego State University in 2020. Following its demolition, Snapdragon Stadium was built next door in the same Mission Valley location.

Quick Answer: Snapdragon Stadium (2101 Stadium Way) sits approximately 500 feet west of where Qualcomm Stadium (9449 Friars Road) once stood. The new 35,000-seat stadium opened in 2022 and is home to SDSU Aztecs football, San Diego FC (MLS), and San Diego Wave FC (NWSL).

Coming Back After the Qualcomm Days?

If you haven’t been here since Chargers games, Padres tailgates, or Holiday Bowls at The Q, a few things have changed. Snapdragon Stadium is smaller (35,000 seats vs. Qualcomm’s 70,000+), parking is tighter, the venue is fully cashless, and the clear bag policy is strictly enforced. The east side also gets heavy direct sun during day games—especially for 1:00 PM Aztecs kickoffs—so plan accordingly.

Pro Tip: Check the Sun & Shade Map before buying tickets so you do not spend four hours roasting in the San Diego sun.

Transit Update: The Trolley Works Differently Now

The MTS Green Line Trolley is still one of the easiest ways to get to Snapdragon Stadium, but longtime Qualcomm visitors should know one thing: the station no longer drops you right at the gate.

At Qualcomm Stadium, many fans stepped off at Stadium Station and were basically there. Today, you should expect a short walk through the SDSU Mission Valley “Innovation District” construction area before reaching Snapdragon Stadium. It is still convenient—but not quite the old train-to-tailgate experience.

Where Qualcomm Stadium Used to Be

Snapdragon Stadium was built next door—not directly on top of Qualcomm Stadium. The new venue sits where part of Qualcomm’s old parking lots once stood, while the original Qualcomm footprint is now being redeveloped as part of the SDSU Mission Valley campus project.

This is why longtime locals often feel slightly disoriented on their first visit back—it is the same property, but not the same stadium footprint.

Legacy of The Murph

For many San Diegans, Qualcomm Stadium will always be Jack Murphy Stadium—“The Murph.” While the old stadium is gone, pieces of that legacy still remain around the new Snapdragon site, including nods to the stadium’s history and preserved elements from the original grounds.

If you grew up with Chargers games, Padres baseball, Holiday Bowls, and monster concerts at The Q, Snapdragon is not a replacement—it is the next chapter on the same Mission Valley ground.

Fun fact: There are still a few easter eggs from the Qualcomm days hidden around the new stadium for fans who know where to look.

Common Questions

Is Snapdragon Stadium the old Qualcomm Stadium?

No. Qualcomm Stadium was demolished, and Snapdragon Stadium was built next door on the same Mission Valley property. Snapdragon sits where Qualcomm's parking lots used to be.

What happened to Qualcomm Stadium?

Qualcomm Stadium was sold to San Diego State University. Demolition began in December 2020 and was completed by summer 2021. The actual physical footprint where Qualcomm stood is now being transformed into the SDSU Mission Valley campus development.

Who plays at Snapdragon Stadium now?

• SDSU Aztecs football (primary tenant)
• San Diego FC (MLS, began 2025)
• San Diego Wave FC (NWSL, began 2023)
• Holiday Bowl (annual)
• Concerts and special events

What's Different: Snapdragon vs Qualcomm

A closer look at how the new stadium compares to the old.

Capacity

Snapdragon is about half the capacity, at 35,000. Qualcomm Stadium held approximately 71,000. The smaller size creates a more intimate atmosphere—every seat at Snapdragon provides excellent views of the field.

Location

Qualcomm Stadium: 9449 Friars Road, Mission Valley
Snapdragon Stadium: 2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley (approximately 500 feet west of Qualcomm's former location)

Playing Surface

Both Qualcomm Stadium and Bashor Field at Snapdragon use a natural grass playing surface.

Cost

Snapdragon Stadium cost an estimated $310 million to construct. Constructed in the 1960s, Qualcomm Stadium cost a lean $27 million.

Amenities & Modern Features

Unlike its predecessor, Snapdragon Stadium features state-of-the-art amenities including:

• Premium club spaces with climate control and all-inclusive food/beverage
• On-field Pitch Boxes (new in 2025)
• Modern concessions and local food options
• Wide concourses with open gathering spaces
• Thrive Park - a 7-acre outdoor venue
• Better sightlines from all sections - no "nosebleed" upper deck

Naming Rights

A timeline of the previous stadium's names and sponsors:

• San Diego Stadium (1967-1979)
• Jack Murphy Stadium (1980-1996)
• Qualcomm Stadium (1997-2016) - Known as "The Q"
• SDCCU Stadium (2017-2019)
• "San Diego Stadium" for the Olympics (2027)

The new venue will be known as Snapdragon Stadium for at least 15 years. That contract, reportedly $45 million, lasts through 2037. There is a slight historical connection: Snapdragon is the brand name of Qualcomm's mobile platform.

Snapdragon Stadium History & Milestones

Snapdragon Stadium opened for a SDSU Aztecs scrimmage on August 20, 2022. The first official game in the stadium was played on September 3, 2022.

Major Events at Snapdragon:

• First San Diego Wave FC match: March 2023
• First major concert: Coldplay, September 2023
• San Diego FC (MLS) inaugural season: 2025
• Holiday Bowl annual host

View the complete Snapdragon Stadium Concert History.

Qualcomm Stadium History

1960s: The Inception and Construction

In the early 1960s, local sportswriter Jack Murphy championed the idea of a multi-purpose stadium for San Diego. In November 1965, a $27 million bond was approved for construction. Construction started in December 1965 on the stadium designed in the Brutalist style. The stadium opened in 1967 as San Diego Stadium.

1967-1980: Early Years and Renaming

The San Diego Chargers, a member of the American Football League (AFL), played the inaugural game on August 20, 1967. In September 1980, the stadium was renamed San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium in honor of Jack Murphy. Capacity increased in 1983 with the addition of over 9,000 bleachers.

1990s: Renovations and Naming Rights

Major renovations in 1997 enclosed the stadium, adding nearly 11,000 seats in preparation for Super Bowl XXXII. In 1997, Qualcomm Corporation acquired naming rights, and the stadium was renamed Qualcomm Stadium. It became known as "The Q" and was home to the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego Padres.

2000s: Sports Teams and Renovations

The San Diego Padres played at the stadium from 1969 to 2003 before moving to Petco Park. Qualcomm Stadium hosted Super Bowls XXII (1988), XXXII (1998), and XXXVII (2003). It also hosted MLB All-Star Games in 1978 and 1992, along with MLB playoffs and World Series games.

2010s: Transitions and Demolition

The naming rights shifted to San Diego County Credit Union in 2017, becoming SDCCU Stadium. The San Diego Chargers moved to Los Angeles in 2017. The stadium hosted its final event, the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl, in December 2019. Demolition of the stadium began in December 2020 and was completed by summer 2021.

Legacy and Impact

The stadium played a pivotal role in hosting NFL games, MLB games, Super Bowls, and MLB All-Star Games. It was the home of the San Diego State Aztecs football team and hosted college bowl games. The legacy of the stadium lives on in the new Snapdragon Stadium, opened in 2022, and in the memories of San Diego sports history.

Key Events and Achievements

• Hosted Super Bowls XXII (1988), XXXII (1998), and XXXVII (2003)
• Hosted MLB All-Star Games in 1978 and 1992
• Home of the San Diego Chargers (1967-2016) and San Diego Padres (1969-2003)
• Hosted 1984 and 1998 World Series games
• Renamed multiple times due to changing naming rights: San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, Qualcomm Stadium, SDCCU Stadium

Past Concerts at Qualcomm

The talented artists performing at Qualcomm Stadium are too numerous to list, among them Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Elton John, Pink Floyd, The Who, Metallica, and Guns N' Roses. Some of the biggest concerts in the stadium's history were The Rolling Stones in 1998, One Direction in 2015, Beyoncé in 2016, U2 in 2017, and Coldplay (who returned to perform at Snapdragon in 2023).

Planning Your Visit to Snapdragon Stadium

Now that you know the history, here are helpful resources for attending events at the new stadium: