Right to Dream has broken ground on its newest academy in San Diego, just weeks after unveiling the brand identity of San Diego FC– 30th MLS club and part of the Right to Dream community.
This marks not just the establishment of another academy, but the birth of a hub dedicated to football excellence and innovation in North America.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Don Garber (Commissioner, MLS), Mohamed Mansour (Chairman, San Diego FC), Cody Martinez (Vice-Chairman, San Diego FC and Sycuan Tribal Chairman), and special guests Ousseni Bouda and Adelaide Armah, both proud Right to Dream graduates, as well as other key figures, stakeholders, and esteemed guests. Their presence highlighted the significance of this project in global football and the world of sports development.
Right to Dream San Diego Academy stands as a commitment to offering opportunities for young talents. Located on Sycuan tribal land in El Cajon, the scholarship-based academy ensures that enrolled residential athletes receive full five-year scholarships regardless of football performance.
Set to welcome its inaugural class in 2025, the academy is designed to provide a holistic experience, nurturing talent both on and off-pitch development. This holistic experience is a hallmark of the Right to Dream model, incorporating elite football training, high quality education, and character development.
Learn More: Right to Dream Academy Arrives in San Diego
This academy, the fourth in the Right to Dream community, builds on the successes witnessed in Ghana, Denmark, and Egypt. It's a new chapter in the story of a global community that believes in the potential of every young dreamer, regardless of where they come from.
The academy will be an integral part of the San Diego FC’s 125,000 square-foot campus, featuring a 50,000-square-foot state-of-the-art sports performance facility shared by the San Diego first team and academy teams.
Mr. Mohamed Mansour, Chairman of San Diego FC and Right to Dream, sees this as a “historic moment for sports in the US”.
“San Diego FC is the first major sports organization in America to be jointly owned by a Native American tribe and now we are the first major club to build a training facility and Right to Dream academy on Native American land,” he added, emphasizing how this historic and culturally significant move adds an extra layer of meaning to the Right to Dream expansion.
Stay tuned for updates as we build the future home for the next generation of football stars in San Diego and beyond.