San Diego Legion Returns to its Roots: Legion Returns to Torero Stadium for 2025

The 2024 season saw tremendous growth for Major League Rugby both nationally and globally. The San Diego Legion set a new Major League Rugby attendance record of 12,085 fans, surpassing their previous record of 11,423 fans in 2023. The San Diego Legion is heading into a thrilling new chapter for the 2025 season with a new coach, John Manenti, the signing of Alejandro Pradillo; and the release of its new documentary, “Quest for the Shield.” The San Diego Legion is excited to announce a strategic venue change for the 2025 season.

Torero Stadium at the University of San Diego will serve as a venue for most of the San Diego Legion’s regular season matches for 2025. However, playoff games may still be hosted at Snapdragon Stadium. The move back to Torero Stadium is driven by the Legion’s commitment to enhancing the fan experience with Saturday night games– all set within Torero Stadium's intimate, fan-focused environment.

By hosting games at Torero stadium, fans can enjoy the convenience of Saturday game times, making it easier for families and working professionals to attend. "We're excited to return to Torero Stadium, where we have a strong history of success and a loyal fan base," said David Haigh, CEO of the San Diego Legion. “We're committed to creating the best experience for our fans in 2025, and we believe that Torero Stadium will offer the best venue for our fans and players in 2025."

The Legion previously played its home games at Torero Stadium from its inaugural 2018 season through 2019. The team thrived in the intimate atmosphere, fostering a strong connection with the Legion’s dedicated fanbase. The decision to return to Torero Stadium comes in response to feedback from Legion fans who expressed a preference for attending Saturday events.

Snapdragon Stadium remains a pivotal partner to San Diego Legion and a premier sports destination for San Diego, with the addition of San Diego FC in Major League Soccer further boosting Snapdragon's standing as a world-class facility.

"The San Diego Legion has been an incredible partner since opening Snapdragon Stadium in 2022," said Adam Millar, General Manager of Snapdragon Stadium. "While we’re sorry to see them go, we completely understand the decision to transition to a more suitably sized venue, and we fully support the team’s evolving needs. Our top priority is to maintain an excellent environment for all our partners, and we will continue to collaborate closely with the Legion to ensure a seamless and successful transition. We look forward to hosting SD Legion in the future at Snapdragon Stadium for various marquee and international events, as we remain committed to fostering the growth of rugby in Southern California."

"We're incredibly grateful to Snapdragon Stadium for hosting us during an amazing 2024 season,” said David Haigh, CEO of the San Diego Legion. “Our partnership is important to us for the long term, and we want to continue building on our shared successes. More than 33,000 rugby fans attended Snapdragon Stadium for this year's historic match between the Flying Fijians and the All Blacks. Snapdragon Stadium, a world-class venue, truly elevated the experience for rugby fans and players alike. We deeply value our partnership with Snapdragon and look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future."

The 2025 season also marks a new chapter for the San Diego Legion with the arrival of John Manenti as head coach. Manenti, a respected figure in the rugby world, brings years of experience from both 7s and 15s formats. His leadership is expected to elevate the team to new heights as they pursue the MLR Championship.

Fans can expect a thrilling season ahead as the Legion balances tradition with innovation while remaining focused on their ultimate goal: bringing home a Major League Rugby championship. Prepare for an unforgettable season featuring new leadership, electrifying matches, and a renewed focus on bringing the MLR Championship home! Visit www.sdlegion.com for more information.

About San Diego Legion

San Diego Legion is a professional rugby team based in San Diego, California, competing in Major League Rugby (MLR). Founded to bring high-level rugby to the San Diego area and to contribute positively to the community, the Legion offers an engaging sports experience for fans and families. With a commitment to excellence both on and off the field, the San Diego Legion promotes teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship.

About Major League Rugby

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league representing North America's highest level of rugby competition. MLR prides itself on fostering intense, high-stakes competition while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. Matches are televised on Fox Sports, among other national and local market platforms, and its OTT Platform, The Rugby Network, offers fans the ability to stream select MLR matches live, along with Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Allianz Women's Premiership Rugby, and other international rugby content. For more information, visit www.majorleague.rugby/ and follow @USMLR on Twitter and Instagram.