Major League Soccer officially announced that MLS has awarded its 30th team to the city of San Diego, California.

Update: San Diego MLS team to unveil name, crest and colors.

Where Will San Diego MLS Soccer Team Play

San Diego’s new expansion club is contracted to play their home matches at Snapdragon Stadium — the 35,000-capacity venue already proven to be a destination for the passionate soccer fans of the region.

When is MLS Coming To San Diego

The San Diego MLS team will take the field in 2025.

Ownership

San Diego’s MLS club is owned by Mohamed Mansour, an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist with deep, global ties in the sport, and by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. The Sycuan Tribe becomes the first Native American tribe to have an ownership stake in professional soccer in the United States. Also joining the investor group is six-time Major League Baseball All-Star and current member of the San Diego Padres, Manny Machado. Other SDFC founding partners include Brad Termini, Co-founder, Zephyr Partners, Tom Vernon, Founder, Right to Dream and Dan Dickinson, Board Member, Right to Dream. Highly respected sports executive Tom Penn will serve as the club’s CEO.

Season Tickets

Now is the time to get your name on the Waiting List for your best shot at scoring season tickets for the San Diego MLS soccer team.
Where does my $18 go?
The proceeds from paying your $18 deposit to be on the SDFC Interest List will be directed towards supporting the San Diego Foundation.

Reserve Your Spot

Name of San Diego MLS Soccer Team

The team’s tentative, unofficial name is San Diego FC (San Diego Football Club or Football Club of San Diego). This has not been confirmed as final so the proverbial ball is still in the air what the name of the San Diego MLS soccer team will be. CEO Tom Penn now famously tightened up speculation that the official name will either be “San Diego Football Club” or “Football Club of San Diego.” The name will be unveiled and confirmed on October 20.

MLS San Diego FC Colors

On September 7, the San Diego FC Twitter account (sandiegofc) asked fans for inspiration: Time to unleash your creativity! What colors should represent our city on the field?. The chosen colors and crest will also be announced on October 20.

Speaking of social media, you can also follow San Diego FC on Instagram.

San Diego FC Careers

A couple places to look if you want to work directly with San Diego FC or jobs in the field of soccer in San Diego:

• MLS Team Jobs – Sign up for notifications as San Diego openings surface
• Snapdragon Stadium employment
• San Diego Wave jobs – Stay up to date on new jobs from NWSL Soccer
• San Diego FC on LinkedIn – smart huh? Keep an eye on the organization on LinkedIn for career opportunities…and start networking!
• Indeed.com – Soccer jobs on Indeed

International Stars in the MLS

The introduction of an MLS team in San Diego brings the potential for fans to perhaps see football stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo play in San Diego.

Current Cities in MLS

Eastern Conference Atlanta United FC Charlotte FC Chicago Fire FC Cincinnati FC Columbus Crew DC United Montréal CF Nashville SC New England Revolution New York Red Bulls NYCFC (New York City FC) Orlando City SC Philadelphia Union Toronto FC Western Conference Austin FC Colorado Rapids FC Dallas Houston Dynamo Inter Miami CF LA Galaxy Los Angeles FC Minnesota United FC Portland Timbers Real Salt Lake San Jose Earthquakes Seattle Sounders FC Sporting Kansas City St. Louis City SC Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Expansion – MLS commissioner Don Garber has talked about potential expansion into other markets (Phoenix, Sacramento, Detroit, Tampa Bay).

San Diego FC In The News

• September 8, 2023: Loyal president hired by San Diego’s MLS expansion team — Ricardo Campos, the Loyal’s first employee, will begin his executive vice president job with the MLS franchise on Sept. 18 — Read More…
• August 4, 2023: By the numbers: San Diego soccer fans say bring on the MLS — Major League Soccer is coming to San Diego in 2025. Judging by attendance figures posted in recent international matchups at Snapdragon Stadium, the region appears ready to support what stands as the top domestic men’s professional league in North America. — Read More…
• May 19, 2023: San Diego FC: Tory treasurers, tribal leaders and a $500m California dream — Will MLS really stop at 30 clubs if Mohamed Mansour, the British-Egyptian billionaire and Conservative party treasurer, is willing to pay a $500m expansion fee for a club in San Diego? — Read More…
• May 18, 2023: San Diego awarded 30th MLS team, will debut in 2025 — Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber announced Thursday that the city of San Diego has been handed an expansion franchise, thereby increasing the league to 30 teams. — Read More…

About the MLS

New to Major League Soccer? You are not alone. Here is a quick guide to the rules and unique features of MLS.

1. Two-Legged Playoffs: MLS employs a two-legged format in the early rounds of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Unlike most soccer leagues, where knockout matches typically have one game, this format adds an extra layer of excitement as teams play both home and away matches.
2. Overtime and Penalty Kicks: In MLS playoff matches, if the aggregate score is tied after both legs, the game goes into extra time. Unlike regular-season matches, where a draw is a common outcome, playoff matches must have a winner. If the game remains tied after extra time, it is decided by a penalty shootout.
3. No Promotion and Relegation: Unlike many soccer leagues around the world, MLS does not have a promotion and relegation system. Teams in MLS remain in the league regardless of their performance, which is a distinctive feature of American sports leagues.
4. Salary Cap: MLS has a salary cap system, which limits the total amount a team can spend on player salaries. This system is used to promote parity and prevent wealthier clubs from dominating the league.
5. Allocation Money: MLS uses allocation money to allow teams to acquire or retain players. This mechanism allows teams to navigate around the salary cap and make strategic player moves.
6. Designated Players: As previously mentioned, MLS has a designated player rule that allows teams to sign star players without their entire salary counting against the cap. Each team can have up to three designated players.
7. Homegrown Players: MLS encourages the development of local talent by allowing teams to sign players from their own academies as “homegrown players.” These players do not count against the salary cap.
8. Video Assistant Referee (VAR): MLS, like many top leagues, uses VAR to review controversial decisions during matches. This technology has become an integral part of modern soccer, helping to ensure fair play.
9. Limited Use of Instant Replay: MLS allows coaches to request one video review per game to challenge referee decisions. This is a unique feature compared to most other leagues.
10. All-Star Game: MLS hosts an annual All-Star Game where top players from the league face off against a prominent international club. This exhibition match is a highlight of the season.

Overwhelmed? Excited? Remember the first game is not until 2025. In the meantime, catch the US Women’s National Team at Snapdragon on October 29 / USWNT Tickets