June 4, 2025

Celebrate the Spirit of the Games at the 2025 California State Games Opening Ceremonies presented by Kaiser Permanente!

Celebrate the Spirit of the Games at the 2025 California State Games Opening Ceremonies presented by Kaiser Permanente!

The excitement is building as we prepare to kick off the 2025 California State Games presented by National University with a high-energy evening of celebration, inspiration, and community. Athletes, families, and fans—mark your calendars for Friday, July 18, and join us at Pechanga Arena San Diego for a night to remember!


Join Us at the Athlete FunZone!
Before the main event begins, all athletes and their families are invited to the FREE Athlete FunZone from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the east parking lot of Pechanga Arena.
Enjoy:

  • 🎯 Interactive games
  • 🎶 Music and entertainment
  • 🍿 Food trucks and snacks (available for purchase)
  • 📸 Photo ops and surprises!


Then, the Opening Ceremonies presented by Kaiser Permanente Begin! 
At 6:30 p.m., the celebration moves inside Pechanga Arena with the Parade of Athletes marching Olympic-style to officially open the Games.

  • Athletes who march receive FREE admission.
  • Up to two coaches per team also enter free when accompanying their athletes.
  • Spectators can purchase tickets here to experience the full event.


 Highlights of the Evening Include:

  • 🏅 A colorful Parade of Athletes
  • 🎤 An inspiring keynote by soccer legend Shannon Mac Millan
  • 🤸‍♂️🐶 High-flying halftime entertainment by Christian & Scooby, the acrobat-dog duo
  • 🔥 The iconic Ceremonial Torch Lighting


About Our Keynote Speaker: Shannon Mac Millan
Shannon Mac Millan enjoyed a 12-year career with the US Women’s National Team during which time she won the World Cup in 1999 along with a Gold Medal at the 1996 Olympics. She also earned a silver medal in 2000 and another gold in 2004 as an alternate.

During her career she earned 177 caps (career appearances) and scored 60 goals. In 2002, she was US Soccer Female Athlete of the Year.


Mac Millan was one of the Women’s United Soccer Association’s founding players, where she played for the San Diego Spirit for three seasons. Prior to the National Team, Mac Millan was a four time All American at the University of Portland. In 1995, she was the unanimous winner of the Hermann and MAC awards which are awarded to the most valuable collegiate player.

After her playing career ended, Mac Millan worked as an assistant coach for UCLA’s Women’s soccer team. Mac Millan now serves as the Chief Impact Officer for San Diego Wave FC. Mac Millan is also the Executive Director of Legends FC San Diego, a local youth soccer club. Prior to joining Wave FC, she was the Vice President of Community Relations for San Diego Loyal Soccer Club.

She has participated in sports envoys that conducted clinics in South Africa, Guatemala and several military bases along the Pacific Rim emphasizing the value of teamwork, respect, and leadership.



Mac Millan has worked for ESPN as a color analyst for women’s collegiate soccer in the South Eastern Conference (SEC). She has also covered games for Fox soccer as a color analyst for the U17 and U20 women’s world cups. Mac Millan also served as a color analyst for the SD Loyal home games.

 

Collectively, she has been inducted into the following Halls of Fame:

·        US Soccer Hall of Fame

·        San Diego Breitbard Hall of Champions

·        Oregon Hall of Champions

·        University of Portland

·        West Coast Conference

·        Cal South

·        US Youth Soccer

 

Most importantly, Mac Millan is the proud mom to her son Brayden!

 

🔥 Let the Games Begin!
Don’t miss this unforgettable evening as we ignite the spirit of the 2025 California State Games. See you there!

From Ice to Arena: The 2026 California State Games Opening Ceremonies at the Gulls Global Games Night

By Sakura Roberson • October 22, 2025
The California Winter Games Youth Ice Hockey Tournament is Back! This upcoming President’s Day Weekend, February 13–16 , the California Winter Games will welcome over 80 youth ice hockey teams to arenas across San Diego. Get ready for action-packed competition on the ice, with the next-level experience of Opening Ceremonies at the San Diego Gulls AHL game on February 14 th . “I love to see the looks on the kids’ faces when they get to the front of the line and they see the whole ice for the first time.” Says Bill Foltz, Manager of Group and Inside Sales at the San Diego Gulls. “Not to mention the smiles and looks of awe as they pass the torch around and see the big torch get lit.” The San Diego Gulls have been longtime partners of the California Winter Games ice hockey tournament, hosting the annual Torch Lighting Ceremony for the past four years. What to expect at our premier youth ice hockey tournament: Competitive matchups for all levels Gold, silver, and bronze medals for 1 st -3 rd placing teams A chance to participate in the Torch Lighting Ceremony at Opening Ceremonies An exclusive invite to Gulls Global Games Night Gulls Global Games Night: February 14 th at Pechanga Arena Registered teams are invited to take part in a night of celebration, hockey, and community spirit at Pechanga Arena in San Diego! Here’s what’s in store: Torch Lighting Ceremony Step onto the ice and witness the ceremonial lighting of the torch and cauldron, a symbolic kickoff to the Games. Teams will line up on the ice for this unforgettable Olympic-style moment. Tailgate Party – 4:00 PM After the ceremony, head to the North Lot of Pechanga Arena for the ultimate Gulls tailgate experience, featuring fun games, delicious food, and exciting prizes for players and families. San Diego Gulls Game – Doors Open at 5:00 PM Cheer on the San Diego Gulls as they face off against the Bakersfield Condors! The puck drops at 6:00 PM , and the first 20 teams to sign up for Gulls Global Games Night will receive FREE admission to the game! Don’t Miss Out! Sign up now to secure your spot in the Torch Lighting Ceremony and Gulls Global Games Night here => Torch Ceremony and Gulls Global Games Night! This is more than just a tournament — it’s a weekend your team will never forget!

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY TO PROVIDE 250 COMPLIMENTARY ENTRIES INTO 2025 CALIFORNIA STATE GAMES, JULY 13–20 IN SAN DIEGO FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY MEMBERS/DEPENDENTS

June 6, 2025
*Click Here For Details*

National University to Provide 250 Complimentary Entries into 2024 State Games of America, July 17-21 in San Diego for Active Duty Military Members/Dependents

May 24, 2024
SAN DIEGO, CA (May 24, 2024) –The 2024 State Games of America presented by National University, a biennial Olympic-style amateur sports competition that features medalists from State Games throughout the country announced today that National University will offer up to 250 free individual sports registrations to Active Duty military members and their dependents. The California State Games, managed by Sports San Diego, successfully bid to bring the State Games of America to San Diego for this event that happens every two years. Approximately 10,000 athletes are expected to compete in the competition across multiple venues in San Diego County from July 17-21, 2024. San Diego last hosted the State Games of America in 2011. “We are so excited to welcome thousands of athletes from all around the country to San Diego for the State Games of America,” said Sports San Diego CEO, Mark Neville. “Likewise, we are so appreciative to our longtime partner National University for underwriting the entry fees for participants representing our military community. In many ways this is going to be a very special event that is going to provide San Diego with a tremendous impact.” “National University is in and of San Diego, and we are thrilled to see the State Games of America coming to San Diego this summer,” said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of Veteran-founded, nonprofit National University, at which 50% of undergraduate students are military affiliated. “The dedication and hard work of these athletes parallels that of the military community and serves as inspiration to striving National University students to successfully achieve their goals. We wish all the competitors the best of luck in the Games.” The National Congress of State Games (NCSG), created in 1986 as the official association of State Games organizations nationwide, began with New York's Empire State Games in 1978 and has since grown to encompass 30 Summer State Games and 10 Winter State Games, engaging over 265,000 athletes and 50,000 volunteers annually. Active Duty military members and their dependents participating in individual sports can find the link to verify their ID on sport registration pages, where, following verification, they will be provided instructions on how to redeem their registration. All questions about the 250 complimentary entries into the 2024 State Games of America hosted in San Diego can be directed to info@stategamesofamerica.com . All California and Nevada residents can register for the State Games of America just like they would for a traditional California State Games. Athletes from any other National Congress of State Games (NCSG) Member State programs must meet qualification criteria to participate. For further information and eligibility, visit stategamesofamerica.com. # # # About California State Games California State Games (CSG) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the largest amateur sports festival in the state. As a community-based member of the United States Olympic Committee, CSG have hosted their Olympic-style event since 1988. As of 2023, CSG is managed by Sports San Diego. About Sports San Diego Recognizing that San Diego is a premier tourist destination, the mission of Sports San Diego, a non-profit 501c3 organization, is to generate tourism, visibility, and economic impact for the San Diego region by producing the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl, Rady Children’s Invitational, California State Games and recruiting outstanding sports events and experiences to San Diego. Since 1978, the association has generated more than $1 billion in economic benefit for the San Diego region. About National University National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of nontraditional, working, and military students by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 190+ online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 230,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University’s new possibilities in education including next-generation education, value-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu . # # www.sportssandiego.org # #