The stadium was completed in 1967 and was originally named San Diego Stadium. The name was changed to San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium in 1980 to honor sports writer Jack Murphy. An expansion in 1984 brought the stadium's total number of seats to more than 60,000. This expansion also added 50 suites. Another expansion in 1997 added more than 10,000 seats and 34 suites. The food service was upgraded at this time. The money for the expansion was provided by the telecommunication company Qualcomm, and the stadium was renamed Qualcomm Stadium after the expansion. The Super Bowl was played at Qualcomm Stadium in 1988, 1998 and 2003. The stadium was the site of the World Series in 1998. It served as the home stadium for soccer teams and baseball teams.
The Poinsettia Bowl and the Holiday Bowl are college football games that are played here annually.
The stadium has more than 70,500 seats. Amenities include executive suites, novelty stands, gift shops and lounges. Food is available at restaurants and food stands.
The stadium can be reached by car, taxi or trolley. Sports fans who are driving can reach the stadium by taking I-8 or I-15. There are more than 19,000 parking spaces at the stadium. Parking spaces for recreational vehicles are available. A taxi stand is located outside the stadium's main gate. Trolleys and buses are operated by the Metropolitan Transit System. Trolleys on the Green Line stop at the stadium. Free parking for trolley riders is available in Old Town San Diego and at transit centers. Some malls and shopping centers in the area offer free parking for trolley riders during games. Southern California fans who are coming to San Diego for a game can take Amtrak to Old Town San Diego and then take a Green Line trolley from the Amtrak station to the stadium. San Diego International Airport is approximately eight miles from the stadium. Travelers can take a bus from the airport to Old Town and then take the trolley to the stadium. Those who want to stay in the area overnight after a game will find a number of hotels near the stadium and in Old Town San Diego.