San Diego was awarded the MLS’s Expansion team Thursday, becoming the league’s 30th team.
Commissioner Don Garber officially announced the decision Thursday as the United States’ top-flight soccer league continues its rapid growth.
The new expansion club will begin play in MLS in 2025 at the 35,000-seat Snapdragon Stadium
San Diego’s MLS club will be owned by Egyptian billionaire and entrepreneur Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.
It had previously been reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune that the franchise fee could hit $500 million.
San Diego was awarded the MLS’s Expansion team Thursday with ownership group led by Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour (second right) to take charge of the club

MLS Commissioner Don Garber (pictured) officially announced the decision Thursday
Also joining the ownership group is six-time Major League Baseball All-Star Manny Machado, who already has strong sporting ties to the San Diego area, currently playing for the Padres.
Other founding partners include Brad Termini, Co-founder, Zephyr Partners, Tom Vernon, Founder, Right to Dream and Dan Dickinson, Board Member, Right to Dream. Meanwhile, highly respected sports executive Tom Penn will serve as the club’s CEO.
‘We are thrilled to welcome San Diego to Major League Soccer as our 30th team,’ said Commissioner Garber.
‘For many years we have believed San Diego would be a terrific MLS market due to its youthful energy, great diversity, and the fact that soccer is an essential part of everyday life for so many people. Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Tribe have an incredible vision for building a club that will inspire and unite soccer fans throughout the city and region.’
Mansour is the founder and chairman of the London-based investment management firm Man Capital, which owns Right to Dream.
Right To Dream is a community of world-class soccer world-class academies, clubs and partners that works to identify and develop talent and has already produced players who have gone on to play at the highest level for club and country in MLS, the Champions League and FIFA World Cup, as well as seven graduates who represented their countries at the 2022 World Cup.
‘We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the Sycuan Tribe to bring Major League Soccer to such a deserving community and legion of San Diego soccer fans. This is a real opportunity to create a powerful and lasting legacy for the city and region,’ said Mr. Mansour.
‘We look forward to introducing Right to Dream’s unique developmental approach and unparalleled soccer expertise to San Diego and MLS by delivering tangible benefits to the community as we look to open doors and identify and nurture talent from across the county and beyond. that has already proven to be a destination for the passionate soccer fans of the region.’

Also joining the ownership group is six-time Major League Baseball All-Star Manny Machado
Through the partnership, the Sycuan Tribe becomes the first Native American tribe to have an ownership stake in professional soccer in the United States.
One of 12 Kumeyaay tribes in San Diego County, Sycuan has already established partnerships with other ventures in the area, including the Padres, San Diego Symphony and the Children’s Hospital.
Machado, who joined the Padres as part of a then record-breaking contract in 2019, said: ‘I am grateful for the opportunity to join the San Diego MLS ownership group. I continue to plant roots in this amazing community that means so much to me and build upon my connection with the incredible fans.
‘I’m further encouraged by the club’s commitment and experience that it brings, through Right to Dream, in developing young athletes personally, academically and athletically, and excited to support the growth of soccer in San Diego.’
The club will play at Snapdragon Stadium, which has already proven to be a popular soccer venue since opening in 2022.
Last September, San Diego Wave FC set a single-game attendance record in the National Women’s Soccer League with a sold-out crowd of more than 32,000 at Snapdragon Stadium.

The new club will begin to play in MLS in 2025 at the 35,000-seat Snapdragon Stadium
The stadium, which is located on the campus of San Diego State University and features a natural grass playing surface, hosted a LIGA MX friendly match in March between Club Tijuana and Club América.
Major international soccer events coming to the venue this year include Mexico vs. Cameroon on June 10 and the semifinal match in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup on July 12.
Soccer fans can already pledge their loyalty to the MLS newcomers by reserving their place on the list for season tickets to San Diego’s inaugural league season by paying $18 on the club’s website.
All proceeds will be donated to San Diego Foundation to fund non-profits investing in the development of youth soccer across San Diego
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