San Diego FC unveils new home for young soccer talents

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A ceremony was held Friday to mark the official opening of San Diego FC's Right to Dream Academy on Sycuan tribal land in El Cajon.

San Diego FC's academy program aims to groom young soccer talents within the United States and Mexico with world-class training, character development and education, the club said in a news release.

The facility, which is also home to the Sharp Healthcare Performance Center where the San Diego FC first team trains, features five full-sized soccer fields, student housing, school facilities, employee housing/offices and guest accommodations.

Residential student athletes with the Right to Dream Academy are the first for North America and Major League Soccer to receive a full five-year scholarship regardless of football performance.

"In San Diego, we are creating something entirely new for North America – a residential school and academy with full scholarships for all students and links to Major League Soccer, one of the fastest growing leagues in the world. Like our existing academies in Ghana, Egypt and Denmark, the San Diego academy will prioritize character development and education as much as football," said Sir Mohamed Mansour, Chairman, San Diego FC and Right to Dream.

San Diego FC CEO Tom Penn added that the "Academy represents more than just football."

"It’s a commitment to nurturing our student-athletes, providing them with opportunities to shine, and inspiring future generations across San Diego and beyond. This is a special, magnificent moment in our history, one that will shape the identity of our Club for decades to come,” he said.

The Dream Academy is comprised of 17 student-athletes, mostly from San Diego and Tijuana, on its U-13 team for the 2025–26 season. It looks to expand in future years to more age groups and girls’ teams, per the club.