The Chargers season is finally here, so it’s time for fans to plan ahead for their game-day experience.

The parking lot will open at 2 p.m. and, as usual, is expected fill quickly. A limited amount of paid overflow parking is available in the parking lot of the Chicago Title building, which is located off Northside Drive, west of the stadium. Additional overflow parking is also available at the Town and Country Hotel (I-8 and Hotel Circle), the Marriott Mission Valley (Qualcomm Way and Rio San Diego Dr.) and San Diego State University (I-8 and College Ave. Rates and parking lots vary).

Fans can ride the San Diego Trolley to the stadium from each of these parking locations. A paid Trolley ticket is required before boarding the Trolley to the stadium.

The stadium entry gates will open at 4 p.m. for general ticket holders and at 3 p.m. for Club ticket and Suite ticket holders. 

Fans are encouraged to ride the Trolley to the stadium. The San Diego Trolley is the number-one mode of transportation to the stadium. Fans can ride the Trolley on the Green Line between Old Town and Santee before and after all games. Charger fans will have increased options along the Green Line from the East County, including:

• El Cajon Transit Center (Main St. at Marshall) 
• Grossmont Transit Center (8601 Fletcher Parkway at Grossmont Center Dr.) 
• Grantville (I-8 at Mission Gorge) 

Fans can also pick up the Trolley at:

• Hazard Center (parking is free on Hazard Center’s lower level, corner of Friars Road and Frazee) 
• Old Town Transit Center (Pacific Highway at Taylor Street) 

The Green Line begins running three hours before kickoff. Buy a $5 Day Pass at ticket vending machines before boarding. Commemorative Day Passes are also sold in advance at The Transit Store at 1st and Broadway and at the Chargers Team Store at Qualcomm Stadium, Gate G. For more information on the San Diego Trolley, visit www.sdmts.com or call 5-1-1.

The MTS Chargers Express Bus will not be in service for the preseason games.

Amtrak will only have regularly-scheduled service available on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to Downtown San Diego. Fans will need to purchase Trolley tickets before boarding the trolley to the stadium. For schedule and ticket information, contact Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL or go to Amtrak.com.

Fans attending all Chargers home games need to be aware that the City of San Diego plans to aggressively enforce two City ordinances. Smoking is prohibited inside the stadium and glass bottles are banned from the parking lot. The San Diego Police Department and Elite Security will be strictly enforcing these ordinances and violators will be prosecuted. In an effort to assure a safe and enjoyable game-day experience, every fan entering Qualcomm Stadium will be subject to a “pat-down” search.

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