Balboa Stadium
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| Former names | City Stadium |
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| Location | San Diego, California |
| Coordinates | 32°43′15″N 117°9′2″W / 32.72083°N 117.15056°WCoordinates: 32°43′15″N 117°9′2″W / 32.72083°N 117.15056°W |
| Owner | City of San Diego |
| Operator | San Diego Unified School District |
| Capacity | 3,000 (1978–present) 34,000 (1961–66) |
| Surface | artificial turf |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | Quayle Brothers |
| Tenants | |
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San Diego East-West Christmas Classic (NCAA) (1921–1922) San Diego State Aztecs football (NCAA) (1921–1935) Harbor Bowl (NCAA) (1947–1949) 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–present) San Diego Growlers (AUDL) (2015–present) |
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Balboa Stadium is a football and soccer stadium located at 1405 Park Boulevard in San Diego, California, just east of San Diego High School. The original stadium was built in 1914 as part of the 1915 Panama–California Exposition, also in Balboa Park, with a capacity of 15,000. It was designed by the Quayle Brothers architectural firm and originally called City Stadium. It was expanded to 34,000 capacity and served as the home stadium for the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League (AFL) from 1961 to 1966.
The stadium was demolished in the 1970s and a smaller stadium with a 3,000 seat capacity was built, opening in 1978. The stadium has an artificial turf field and lights. It is owned by the City of San Diego and leased to the San Diego Unified School District, which is responsible for its maintenance. It is currently used for professional soccer, high school sports including football, soccer and track, graduation ceremonies, and special events.
The original stadium was built in 1914 as part of the 1915 Panama–California Exposition, also in Balboa Park, with a capacity of 15,000. It was designed by the Quayle Brothers architectural firm and originally called City Stadium. On May 31, 1915, the stadium was dedicated and around 20,000 people came to watch track and field events.
Auto racing took place on a 1/4 mile dirt track in Balboa Stadium from about 1937 through July 4, 1961 when the racing stopped so the facility could be used for pro football. Balboa Stadium was one of the hotbeds of midget racing starting in about 1937 until the early 1950s (except for the war years). When interest in midget racing started waning, jalopies became popular. The San Diego Racing Association was formed in 1953 and started sanctioning the racing. By 1958 the San Diego Racing Assn had transformed from a jalopy association to more sleek modified sportsman (the forerunners of today's super modifieds). Jalopy champions of the SDRA at Balboa included Glen Hoagland (1953), Jim Wood (1954), Jack Krogh (1955), Harris Mills (1956), Don Ray (1957), and Mondo Iavelli (1958). Don Thomas (1957) was the inaugural modified champion with Art Pratt being a three time titlest (1958 - 1959 - 1960). Rip Erikson took the honors in the 1961 season that was split between Balboa Stadium and Cajon Speedway. Also holding events at Balboa Stadium during the 1950s were occasional visits by the URA midgets and the NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Models. During the 1950s it was not unusual for more than 10,000 fans to attend a weekly show at Balboa.
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