SDFC launches Military Community Outreach Initiative to honor and support local service members year-round; Club joins San Diego Pro Sports Military Alliance to deepen impact across military community
SAN DIEGO (Monday, April 28, 2025) – In a city with one of the largest concentrations of military personnel in the country, San Diego FC (SDFC) will proudly host its first-ever Military Appreciation Night, presented by DIRECTV on Saturday, May 3 at Snapdragon Stadium – a heartfelt celebration honoring the service, sacrifice, and strength of the region’s active-duty service members, veterans, and military families.
Military Appreciation Night, presented by DIRECTV on May 3 is part of SDFC’s ongoing commitment to honor those who serve and strengthen the Club’s deep connection with the military community. The first 30,000 fans at Snapdragon Stadium will receive a commemorative SDFC military camo flag courtesy of DIRECTV. Tickets for the match are available now at SanDiegoFC.com/Tickets.
The May 3 match is more than just a tribute night – it also marks the official launch of SDFC’s comprehensive Military Community Outreach initiative, a long-term, intentional commitment to building lasting relationships with the military community through meaningful programs, partnerships, and matchday moments.
As part of this broader effort, SDFC also announced its official membership in the San Diego Pro Sports Military Alliance, a collective of local professional sports organizations united by a shared mission to recognize and support the military community. Through this partnership, SDFC will join fellow alliance members in recognizing military service through meaningful community initiatives, including in-game activations, military-priced ticketing, and partnerships with military and veteran service organizations focused on enhancing quality of life.
Leading up to the May 3 match, the Fan Fest at Snapdragon Stadium will feature a display of a U.S. Army MATV tactical vehicle and other activations. In one of the evening’s most powerful moments, the Commanding Officer of Army Recruiting Company San Diego South will conduct an Oath of Enlistment ceremony for 25 to 40 new recruits at SDFC’s Fan Fest. Additionally, the National Anthem, performed by a member of the U.S. Air Force, will be followed by a U.S. Navy flyover. The team will take the field accompanied by red, white, and blue smoke, with Snapdragon Stadium serving as a living tribute to the city’s military ties.
During the match, SDFC will spotlight individual stories of service, recognizing Brigadier General James Ryans, Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, as the honorary Keeper of the Flow. The Club will also highlight the Military Season Ticket Member of the Match, the Sharp Community Member of the Match, and the “Hero of the Match” presented by Liberty Military Housing. Halftime will feature a special tribute to the winners of SDFC’s “Battle of the Bases” soccer match – a friendly competition between local Navy and Marine Corps teams taking place on April 27.
While Military Appreciation Night will serve as a powerful symbol of gratitude, the work doesn’t end there. SDFC’s Military Community Outreach initiative is a year-round effort to engage authentically with the region’s military population – both on and off base. The Club has appointed retired Navy Captain Russ Thompson as Military Community Outreach Consultant to lead this work, which includes community-building programs, nonprofit partnerships, ticketing access, and career pathway initiatives.
Through this initiative, SDFC has established partnerships with leading organizations such as the Armed Services YMCA (San Diego and Camp Pendleton), Support the Enlisted Project (STEP), Zero8Hundred, the Gary Sinise Foundation, Blue Star Families, Foundation for Women Warriors and Soldiers to Sidelines. These collaborations will focus on transition assistance, family support, and workforce development, including employment summits, and veteran job fairs. The Club also plans to collaborate with MSOs (Military Service Organizations) and VSOs (Veteran Service Organizations) to ensure that all programming aligns with real community needs.
The outreach extends into both on-base and off-base settings. On base, SDFC will host player and staff visits, clinics, watch parties and homecoming celebrations. Events include an overnight visit aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln that took place at sea on April 7 and participation in the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC) breakfasts. Off base, the Club will engage in volunteer events, such as a May 27 cleanup day at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, support for military spouse employment through Hiring Our Heroes, leadership summits, and youth coaching education programs for military families.
The initiative also includes several matchday benefits: discounted ticketing through GovX, Vet Tix allocations for veterans and families, and ongoing Military Hero and Family of the Match honors. These efforts are designed not only to make soccer more accessible for military fans, but also to embed service and gratitude into the fabric of every matchday experience.
For more information on SDFC’s military initiatives, please visit SanDiegoFC.com
