San Diego was granted the highly anticipated expansion team in Major League Soccer (MLS), marking the league’s 30th franchise. The official announcement was made by Commissioner Don Garber, underscoring the continuous and impressive growth of the top-flight soccer league in the United States.
The new expansion club is set to commence its MLS journey in 2025, playing its home matches at Snapdragon Stadium, which boasts a capacity of 35,000 seats. San Diego’s successful bid reflects the city’s enthusiasm for soccer and further solidifies MLS’s expanding presence across the country.
The 2026 World Cup will have a massive impact on North American soccer.
The ownership of San Diego’s MLS club will be a collaboration between Egyptian billionaire and entrepreneur Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Together, these prominent entities will spearhead the operations and development of the club, contributing their expertise and resources to make it a thriving success in the league.
The partnership reflects a diverse and impactful ownership structure that brings together international business acumen and local cultural representation.
The ownership group of San Diego’s MLS club welcomes the addition of six-time Major League Baseball All-Star Manny Machado, further strengthening the team’s local ties. As Machado already plays for the San Diego Padres, his involvement brings a unique connection to the city’s sporting community.
In addition to Mohamed Mansour, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, and Manny Machado, the ownership group includes several other notable individuals. Brad Termini, Co-founder of Zephyr Partners, Tom Vernon, Founder of Right to Dream, and Dan Dickinson, Board Member of Right to Dream, are all founding partners, contributing their expertise and support to the club’s growth.
Furthermore, the ownership group has appointed highly regarded sports executive Tom Penn as the club’s CEO. Penn’s vast experience in the sports industry will provide strong leadership and strategic direction for the team as it embarks on its MLS journey.
