Report: Las Vegas Raiders to return to California for part of training camp

The Raiders moved around California a bit. They stayed in Oakland until 1981 when they ventured to Los Angeles. They moved back to Oakland after the 1994 season. Now, the Raiders have their sights set on Orange County.

The Las Vegas Raiders are coming to California this summer

According to Vic Tafur with The Athletic, the Las Vegas Raiders received approval from the Costa Mesa City Council to hold part of their training camp at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex. The Raiders will pay $165,000 in rent and hold a youth training camp, among other items:

“The Raiders’ deal with Costa Mesa also includes $600,000 for improvements to the fields at the complex, a donation of 100 tickets to an NFL preseason game in Southern California, a $10,000 donation to a local youth sports team, outdoor weight training equipment to Costa Mesa High School and a Ford transit van for recreation programs in underserved areas.”

The Chargers practiced there when Tom Telesco was the GM

The complex became available after the Los Angeles Chargers chose to move their camp from Costa Mesa to El Segundo. However, because the Chargers are under contract with Costa Mesa, the Raiders could only sign a one-year deal for the 2024 training camp:

“The Costa Mesa site has most recently been used as the training camp home of the Los Angeles Chargers, who this year will move into their new practice facility in El Segundo.

The Chargers are still under contract with the city of Costa Mesa through August 2026 — though they declined their option this year and plan to hold camp at their new facility — so the agreement does not guarantee the Raiders can use the facility in future years.  The Raiders will have to submit a letter of interest by Jan. 1, 2025, if they want to return for that year’s training camp.”

Five teams will now have part of their training camp in California this summer. The Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys will also hold practices in the Golden State.