LA Chargers Return To Costa Mesa For Training Camp

COSTA MESA, CA —The Los Angeles Chargers reported for duty, Wednesday, one day before their practices begin at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa. The open-to-fans training camps are one of the best parts of being a football fan but don't expect to see running back Melvin Gordon in the early meetings, as a notable holdout.

Reports from ESPN say Gordon may not attend if he doesn't get his new contract.All but one of the practices open to the public will take place from 10 a.m.-noon. They will also have their first training camp practice at night since returning to Los Angeles in 2017 on Aug. 12 at 7 p.m.

See your Chargers in Costa Mesa:

Pre-register for free training camp tickets at chargers.com/camp for the days they plan to attend or register in person at the entrance to Jack Hammett Sports Complex. All bleacher seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bleacher seating at the complex will be completely covered for the first time.

Where to park:

Parking is available for $10 at the OC Fair and Events Center off Arlington Drive. Parking is valid for the entire day should fans wish to attend the OC Fair after practice.

There will be a dedicated location for rideshare service drop-off and pick-up adjacent to the sports complex.

Gates to the complex will open one hour before the start of each practice session.

Joint practices will be held with the Los Angeles Rams Aug. 1 and the New Orleans Saints Aug. 15-16. The Chargers will also conduct a joint practice with the Rams Aug. 3 at their training camp at UC Irvine.

What's new this year?

Fans can take a virtual reality tour of the new Inglewood stadium, see previously unreleased renderings of the facility, and can order from the planned menu. That stadium is set to open in 2020.

Throughout training camp, fans will be able to greet players in the "Hi-Five Zone" before practice, receive autographs from players after workout and meet the Charger Girls dancers and former players.

Other training camp attractions include interactive games, face painting, and unique photo opportunities.

Active-duty military members and veterans can enter a drawing at the Community Tent to win tickets to the Chargers Aug. 24 preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Youth and high school football players attending training camp on Monday can enter a drawing at the Community Tent to win tickets to the Chargers Aug. 24 preseason game.

School supply drives benefiting students from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America will be held Saturday and Sunday. A blood drive will be held Aug. 1. Dogs from Priceless Pet Rescue will be available for adoption Aug. 4.

Game-issued jerseys and other team paraphernalia will be available for purchase Aug. 15-16 with proceeds benefiting the Chargers Community Foundation.

What can you bring?

Bring your own food, water and soft drinks! leave the booze at home. Alcoholic beverages cannot be carried into the Jack Hammett Sports Complex. Smoking is not allowed at Chargers training camp.

Fans may bring personal cameras and cellphones, but video cameras and telephoto lenses longer than six inches are not allowed.

What should you leave home?

Other items not permitted at Jack Hammett Sports Complex include pets (other than service animals), weapons of any kind, water guns, fireworks, Frisbee discs, and other flying discs, sports balls, beach balls or other inflatable objects, laser pointers, flammable objects, musical instruments or noise-making devices.

Practice Dates:

The practices open to the public will be held:

• July 25-30
• Aug. 1, 4, 10-12 and 15-16.

The Chargers qualified for the playoffs as a wild-card team.

They defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 23-17 in a wild-card round playoff game, their first postseason appearance and victory since the 2013 season.

The Chargers season ended with a 41-28 loss to the eventual Super Bowl LIII champion New England Patriots in a divisional playoff game.

City News Service, contribution by Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig.