The arena opened on November 17, 1966, when more than 11,000 pro hockey fans watched the San Diego Gulls (then a member of the Western Hockey League) win their season opener, 4–1, against the Seattle Totems. At 77 feet tall, the arena was built six years before the current 30 foot maximum height restriction was put into place by the State Coastal Commission in the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan.

The arena could seat 13,000 for hockey or 13,700 for basketball. The arena was built in 1966 by Robert Breitbard, a local football hero who played for Hoover High School and San Diego State, for $6.4 million.

It is in the Midway neighborhood, approximately 10 minutes from San Diego International Airport by car and about a mile from the Old Town Transit Center by foot. The arena is located at 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, which is slightly southwest of the interchange of Interstate 5 and Interstate 8. In 2013, U-T San Diego named the arena #3 on its list of the 50 most notable locations in San Diego sports history. Historically, the arena has been home to numerous San Diego-based teams in several different sports. The arena is currently home to four professional sports teams: the San Diego Seals of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL), San Diego Sockers of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) and the San Diego Strike Force of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The arena seats 12,000 for indoor football, 12,920 for ice hockey, indoor soccer and box lacrosse, 14,500 for basketball and tennis, 5,450 for amphitheater concerts and stage shows, 8,900–14,800 for arena concerts, 13,000 for ice shows and the circus, and 16,100 for boxing and mixed martial arts. Pechanga Arena (historically known as the San Diego Sports Arena) is an indoor arena built in 1966 and located in the Midway area of San Diego, California. San Diego Sockers ( WISL/ MISL II) (2001–04) San Diego Sockers ( NASL/ MISL I/ CISL) (1980–96) San Diego Mariners/Hawks ( PHL) (1977–79) San Diego Strike Force ( IFL) (2019–present) San Diego Conquistadors/Sails ( ABA) (1974–75) Golden State Warriors (NBA) (1971–72 part-time) San Diego State Aztecs ( NCAA) (1966–97 part-time) San Diego International Sports Center (1966–70) Location within the United States Show map of the United States

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