Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

KPBS Evening Edition

Security Rules Tighten At Qualcomm Stadium

Stadium Security

The San Diego Chargers have taken steps to increase security at Qualcomm Stadium this football season.

Security Rules Tighten At Qualcomm Stadium
The San Diego Chargers have taken steps to increase security at Qualcomm Stadium this football season.

The new rules won't affect tailgate parties in the stadium parking lot, but you won't be able to bring coolers, backpacks or even seat cushions inside Qualcomm Stadium anymore. Camera bags are also banned, but you can carry your camera and cellphone.

Vince delaMontaigne, spokesperson for the NFL said the changes will make the stadium more secure and hopefully speed up the entrance time for fans to get to their seats.

Advertisement

It requires any items brought into the stadium be clearly visible. So you'll now have to put your food, water or snacks in a resealable plastic bag no larger than a gallon.

Large purses are banned, but you can bring a small clutch purse with or without a handle.

"This should speed up our process, this should make it easier," said delaMontaigne. "It will be difficult. Change is difficult initially but it's a win-win situation for all of us. Just like the change at Charger Park, it's exciting. This will be beneficial to all of us."

Security will also alert the large number of trolley riders at various stops before they get to the stadium so they don't get turned away.

The new rules will be in play at Thursday's preseason game when the Chargers take on the Seattle Seahawks.

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.