Aug 12, 2007; San Diego, CA, USA; A San Diego Charger cheerleader performs during the San Diego Chargers against the Seattle Seahawks game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Stan Liu-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2007 Stan Liu
San Diego, California – San Diego sports fans remember a time when the city boasted both a Major League Baseball and a National Football League presence. For decades, the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Chargers shared a home, creating a unique sports dynamic that many still fondly recall.
The Chargers, originally established in Los Angeles in 1960, relocated to San Diego in 1961, initially playing at Balboa Stadium. In 1967, they moved to San Diego Stadium, which would later become known as Jack Murphy Stadium and Qualcomm Stadium, sharing the venue with the expansion Padres starting in 1969.
This shared stadium experience lasted until 2003, when the Padres moved into their new home, Petco Park. However, the Chargers’ tenure in San Diego came to an end in 2017, when they returned to Los Angeles.
Despite the Chargers’ departure, the desire for an NFL team remains strong in San Diego. Padres’ rising star Jackson Merrill recently voiced his longing for a football team, highlighting the city’s potential as a multi-sport hub.
Merrill’s sentiment was amplified after he joined teammates on a private jet trip, courtesy of Manny Machado, to watch a San Diego FC Major League Soccer match. Machado is a minority owner of the new MLS team. The game was held at Snapdragon Stadium, the very grounds where the Chargers and Padres once shared a home.
“It was sick,” Merrill said. “It was so sick. San Diego should have more teams. We should have an NFL team again.”
Snapdragon Stadium, while built on the same site as the former shared stadium, has undergone a complete transformation, presenting a modern venue that bears little resemblance to its predecessor. The stadium now serves as the home for San Diego FC, marking a new chapter in the city’s sporting history.
The shared history of the Padres and Chargers at the same stadium creates a sense of nostalgia for a time when San Diego was a dual-sport city. With the success of San Diego FC and the continued popularity of the Padres, the desire for an NFL team’s return is growing stronger. Perhaps one day, the collective wishes of Jackson Merrill and countless San Diego residents will materialize, bringing NFL football back to the city.
