Is San Diego a sports town? 2023 points to yes.

Mar 23, 2023 - Bree Burris

San Diego is known for many things (beaches, craft beer, life-changing innovation), and #sports hasn’t always been at the top of the list. But if you look more closely, the city and region are well-positioned to stand among the nation’s competitive sports centers during the decade in front of us.

San Diego’s electrifying 2022 season

The historic investments made by the San Diego Padres led to one of the most celebrated and electric seasons in decades, taking down the rival LA Dodgers in the playoffs and earning a short at the National League Championship in 2022. That momentum has only accelerated in 2023, as the Padres have become one of the hottest and most talked-about teams in all of professional sports.

As the nation’s most vibrant binational region, soccer has always dominated the parks and playing fields on both sides of the international border. Long anchored by the Tijuana Xolos and the San Diego Sockers, the region welcomed a new kind of professional soccer last year, as San Diego Wave FC went largely undefeated in their sold-out, record-breaking inaugural season.

And could a new MLS franchise be on the horizon?

What’s next for San Diego sports

In addition to that, San Diego’s Loyal soccer, Seals lacrosse, and Legion rugby teams have all set up shop in town just in the last several years, giving fans year-round opportunities to root for their home teams.

And now, following the SDSU Aztecs Men’s Basketball Team’s historic showing at 2023’s March Madness Championship, San Diego’s hopes are high as the Padres kick off their much-anticipated season.

After all, there’s no place quite like San Diego, and when you’re sitting at the most beautiful ballpark in baseball or at the newly-opened Snapdragon Stadium, the fans surely prove it.

Games we’re looking forward to

• April 6 – Padres vs. Atlanta Braves
• April 7 – San Diego Gulls vs. Calgary Wranglers
• April 8 – San Diego Loyal vs. FC Tulsa
• April 8 – San Diego Legion vs. Seattle Seawolves
• April 10 – San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets
• April 15 – San Diego Wave FC vs. OL Reign
• April 15 – San Diego Loyal vs. New Mexico United