Balboa Stadium

Balboa Stadium
Map
San Diego is located in the United States
San Diego
San Diego
Location in the United States
San Diego is located in California
San Diego
San Diego
Location in California
Former namesCity Stadium
Address1405 Park Boulevard
LocationSan Diego, California, U.S.
Coordinates32°43′15″N 117°9′2″W / 32.72083°N 117.15056°W / 32.72083; -117.15056
OwnerCity of San Diego
OperatorSan Diego Unified S.D.
Capacity3,000 (1978–present)
34,000 (1961–66)[1]
23,000 (1960)
15,000 (1914)
SurfaceArtificial turf
originally natural grass
Construction
Built1914
Renovated1978
ArchitectQuayle Brothers
Tenants
San Diego High School Cavers (1915–present)
San Diego East-West Christmas Classic (NCAA) (1921–1922)
San Diego State Aztecs (NCAA) (1921–1935)
Harbor Bowl (NCAA) (1947–1949)
Poinsettia Bowl (military) (1952–1955)
San Diego Chargers (AFL) (1961–1966)
San Diego Toros (NASL) (1968)
San Diego Pumitas (NPSL) (1999–2007)
San Diego Flash (2010) (NPSL; charity events)
San Diego Boca FC (NPSL) (2011–2014)
San Diego Growlers (AUDL) (2015–2017)

Balboa Stadium is an outdoor stadium in San Diego, California, located adjacent to San Diego High School and Balboa Park. Owned by the City of San Diego, it is leased to the San Diego Unified School District. The stadium is used for local athletics and high school events. It is the home of the San Diego High School Cavers athletic teams. The stadium opened in 1915.

The original stadium was built in 1914 as part of the 1915 Panama–California Exposition with a capacity of 15,000. The stadium expanded in the 1960s to a capacity of 34,000. Due to seismic safety concerns, it was demolished in the 1970s and a smaller venue with a 3,000-seat capacity was built, opening in 1978. Most of the original stadium's distinguishing architectural features were removed.

The stadium hosted the San Diego State Aztecs football team from 1921 to 1935. It also hosted the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1961 to 1966. Additionally, the stadium hosted various bowl games, including the San Diego East-West Christmas Classic from 1921 to 1922, the Harbor Bowl from 1947 to 1949, and the Poinsettia Bowl from 1952 to 1955.

  1. ^ Grasso, John (2013). Historical Dictionary of Football. Scarecrow Press. p. 350. ISBN 978-0810878563. Retrieved June 9, 2014.