January 26, 2003. Twenty‑three years ago, America’s biggest game was played in America’s Finest City.
While much of the country huddled indoors, bracing against winter cold and snow, San Diego delivered what it always does in January: perfect weather. Blue skies, sunshine, and palm trees It was Super Bowl XXXVII at Qualcomm Stadium—though to locals, it was simply the Q.
Football is meant to be played outdoors. On that day, there were no debates about retractable roofs or weather contingencies, just a pristine Southern California afternoon as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders faced off to close the 2002–2003 NFL season. What few realized at the time was that this game would mark not only the last January Super Bowl, but also the final Super Bowl ever hosted in San Diego.
Around that era, ESPN’s Chris Berman famously remarked that San Diego could host a Super Bowl “every five years.” There was, however, a significant qualifier attached to that optimism: if the city built a modern NFL stadium. That stadium never came. And in time, even the Chargers left San Diego.
Despite near‑perfect weather year‑round, San Diego found itself caught in a cycle of indecision—fractured support from fans, resistance from local government, and an ownership group unwilling to bridge the gap. Slowly, the dream of San Diego as a regular Super Bowl host faded into memory.
And yet, the Q itself deserves its due.
Originally opened in 1967 as San Diego Stadium—later renamed Jack Murphy Stadium before becoming Qualcomm Stadium—it stood as a cornerstone of the city’s sports identity for more than five decades. It was a true multi‑purpose venue, home to the San Diego Chargers and San Diego Padres, and host to NFL Sundays, MLB pennant races, World Series games, college football, international soccer, and massive concerts. The stadium hosted three Super Bowls (1988, 1998, and 2003) and countless moments that shaped generations of fans. Imperfect? Absolutely. Iconic? Undeniably.
When Qualcomm Stadium closed in 2017 and was demolished in 2021, it marked the end of an era.
Today, Snapdragon Stadium sits on that same land. Modern, clean, and intentionally smaller, it holds roughly 35,000 fans—half the capacity of the Q’s 70,500. What was once a sea of tailgates, charcoal smoke, and packed parking lots has been replaced by mixed‑use plans, park space, and future SDSU development. Functional, perhaps—but it lacks the scale and soul required to host football’s biggest night.
This reflection isn’t about nostalgia for concrete ramps or aging infrastructure. It’s about acknowledging what San Diego once was: a legitimate NFL city capable of hosting the Super Bowl on a recurring basis.
There’s no doubt San Diego checks every box the NFL cares about—weather, destination appeal, infrastructure, global recognition. Other major cities have proven that with political will and public‑private cooperation, modern stadiums can be built to anchor franchises and attract marquee events. San Diego, however, chose a different path.
Without an NFL team, a full‑scale NFL stadium will never be constructed. And without that stadium, the Super Bowl will remain a memory rather than a future plan.
Still, history matters. The Q mattered. And so did the moment when, on a perfect January afternoon in 2003, San Diego stood at the center of the football world—exactly where it belonged.
The Oracle writes exclusively for the SD Examiner. Read his column for his latest takes and predictions in the sports world.
