Football. Baseball. Soccer. Basketball. Across generations, San Diego has established itself as one of the nation’s most passionate sports cities. From sold-out stadiums to neighborhood watch parties, fans across the region’s 18 communities have come together to support their teams and create unforgettable moments.
San Diego’s professional sports legacy dates back decades. The San Diego Padres first took the field as a Minor League club in 1936 before joining Major League Baseball as an expansion franchise in 1969. Just eight years earlier, the San Diego Chargers arrived in 1961, helping establish the city as a growing hub for professional sports.
One of the Padres’ most iconic moments came in 1984, when the team completed a historic comeback in the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs. After dropping the first two games at Wrigley Field, San Diego returned home and won three straight games in front of an electric crowd to secure its first National League pennant in franchise history. First baseman Steve Garvey won Most Valuable Player for the Padres after recording seven RBI and a .400 batting average, going 8-for-20 in the series. Garvey hit a walk off home run in game four to tie the series.
The Chargers delivered another unforgettable milestone on January 15, 1995. Facing the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, San Diego rallied to win 17–13 and advance to Super Bowl XXIX. Linebacker and San Diego native Junior Seau recorded 16 tackles to lead the Chargers defensively. Seau stepped up and through his defensive leadership held the Steelers’ offense from scoring in the second half. The victory sent shockwaves across the league and united fans throughout the city in celebration.
San Diego’s women’s sports landscape reached a historic milestone in June 2021 with the announcement of San Diego Wave Fútbol Club, the city’s first National Women’s Soccer League team. The Wave signed Southern California native, Alex Morgan, in one of the most high-profile deals in NWSL history ahead of their inaugural season, becoming the second player signed by the Club.
In 2022, the Wave made their debut and quickly energized the community, drawing more than 32,000 fans at Snapdragon Stadium for their inaugural home opener, a Club-record attendance. The Wave continued their historic run by becoming the first expansion team in NWSL history to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season.
At the collegiate level, the San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team reached new heights during the 2022–23 season as the number five seed. The Aztecs advanced to their first NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship game after a thrilling Final Four victory against Florida Atlantic 72-71, marking a defining moment for the university and the city.
San Diego’s sports story continues with the arrival of San Diego FC. The Club was announced in May 2023 as Major League Soccer’s 30th Club and in October 2023 the name and colors were released. San Diego Padres third baseman and seven-time MLB All-Star became a minority owner of SDFC when the Club was announced, along with founding partners, British Egyptian Sir Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.
In December 2023, San Diego Native, Duran Ferree was the first-ever player signed by the Club. SDFC kicked off their inaugural season on February 23,2025, with a historic road victory over the defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy. Winger Anders Dreyer recorded the Club’s first-ever goal and recorded a brace to secure the victory.
Days later, SDFC walked onto the pitch of Snapdragon Stadium for the highly anticipated Home Opener at Snapdragon Stadium against St. Louis CITY SC. In front a record-breaking crowd of 34,506 fans, SDFC recorded their first draw, 0-0. The Club went on to secure the number one spot in the Western Conference table and ended their 2025 campaign in the Western Conference Final against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. During its inaugural 2025 season, the Club set league records for an expansion team with 63 points and 19 wins, establishing a new standard for success.
As San Diego’s sports legacy grows, so does the passion of its fans, the driving force behind every historic moment and milestone.
Join us in celebrating our sports city at San Diego Sports Night, presented by Dios Azul against St. Louis CITY SC, on Sunday, March 1 at 6 p.m. The first 25,000 fans will receive an exclusive SDFC football jersey to commemorate the occasion courtesy of Sycuan Casino Resort.
