On May 18, 2023, the city’s first Major League Soccer team, San Diego FC, rolled out an 8-foot in diameter chrome soccer ball. It has 18 chrome panels that each represent and show the name of the 18 cities in the San Diego County.
Now, the club’s chrome soccer ball is starting its yearlong, 18-city tour around the county on Saturday. The first tour stop will be at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This free event will feature various entertainment options and attractions like a 40-team street soccer tournament with three divisions: adults, girls youth and boys youth.
There will also be live musical performances from Oceanside natives John Givez and Obed Padilla, Oceanside food vendors, local artist exhibits, dance performances and a merchandise truck. Attendees will be able to take photos with the chrome ball.
San Diego FC’s Chrome Ball sits in front of its pop-up retail store, Eighteen Threads at Mission Valley Mall in San Diego on Saturday, November 18.
(Brittany Cruz-Fejeran)
After Oceanside, San Diego FC’s Chrome Ball Tour will go to Escondido’s Washington Park on Feb. 3, Poway’s North County Soccer Park on Feb. 17 and Santee’s Town Center Park East on March 2. The rest of the tour dates and locations can be found on the club’s website.
All stops on this tour will be family-friendly and free to attend. The club states that each upcoming event will incorporate artwork and entertainment from local artists. In addition, at each tour stop, there will be special edition city badges to collect, and those who get all 18 badges will be entered for a chance to win special prizes and exclusive club discounts. Local artist Gabriel Medina has created the Oceanside city badge.
Also, special edition prints of artists’ works will be on display and available for purchase throughout the tour.
San Diego FC’s yearlong Chrome Ball Tour is intended to promote the club, grow the fan base within each of the 18 cities in the county and showcase local artists in their community.
“The tour not only celebrates the beautiful game, but also seamlessly weaves together football, art and San Diego’s rich cultural fabric,” Sebastián Morúa, senior vice president of brand and community for San Diego FC, said in a statement.
Duran Ferree, a 17-year-old goalkeeper from 4S Ranch, is the first signing for new MLS club San Diego FC.
(San Diego FC)
Over the last six months, San Diego FC has been making moves in the community.
In September, the club hired former San Diego Loyal SC president Ricardo Campos as its inaugural executive vice president for club operations.
In October, San Diego FC leased 28 acres for a $150 million training campus on the Sycuan Reservation and leased office space for its corporate headquarters in Little Italy.
In addition, in December, the club signed its first-ever player Duran Ferree, a goalkeeper from 4S Ranch, to a four-year contract with a club option for a fifth.
The Major League Soccer club is slated to begin play in February 2025. For all of our San Diego FC coverage, check out our page here.
