2021/22 Home Promotional Schedule Announced

The San Diego Sockers, excited to return to hosting fans at Pechanga Arena San Diego in 2021-22, have today announced their promotional schedule for the upcoming MASL season. The 12-game slate will include the return of fan-favorite promotions like Star Wars Night, Alumni Night, and the Celebrity/Media Halftime Game, and giveaways such as a new supporters’ scarf, bucket hat, and commemorative championship poster.  

 “Coming to a San Diego Sockers match is a unique tradition in our community, and we wanted to make every night an event,” said Sockers chief marketing officer Craig Elsten, “We hope we’ve come up with a set of promotions and giveaways that enhances the fan experience, and builds anticipation for each match. Between the level of competition and the level of fun, we are expecting an all-time season at Pechanga Arena, and hope San Diegans will come out and bring the family!” 

The regular-season home schedule will begin on Sunday, December 19 with Opening Night, a celebration of the Sockers’ fifteenth indoor championship, won entirely on the road during the COVID-influenced 2021 MASL campaign. The Sockers will raise their fifteenth banner to the rafters prior to a 5pm kickoff against Chihuahua, and players from the 2021 championship team will receive their championship rings. Fans won’t go home empty-handed, receiving a unique championship commemorative schedule poster, created by local artist Travis Peterson and honoring the Sockers’ rich championship history.  

Following the New Year, the Sockers return for the first of three meetings against the rival Ontario Fury, a 5pm kickoff on Sunday, January 2, and “Retro Night” at the Arena. The Sockers will be turning back the clock to their glory days, wearing a new interpretation of their classic kits from the early 1980s, with the diagonal sash “Sockers” across the front. The kits will be available for sale exclusively at Pechanga Arena during the match, in addition to further retro-inspired merchandise. In addition, fans will receive a set of referee’s cards prior to the match, with the chance to let the refs know their thoughts on who should receive a blue, yellow, or red card during the run of play.  

Sunday, January 9 sees the return of the always popular Celebrity/Media Halftime Game, with celebrities and fan favorites from the local media competing in a spirited halftime contest during the Sockers/Ontario Fury 5pm match. Stay tuned for updates on the competitors in the weeks approaching matchday. The festivities will kick off two hours prior to the 5pm kickoff in the parking lot with the first of three Fan Fests, involving pre-match music, activities, and food/drink specials.  

The final weekend of January sees a pair of home matches for the Sockers, beginning with the club’s second Star Wars Night, set for Friday, January 28 at 7:35pm against Tacoma. The Sockers will debut a brand new Mandalorian-themed kit, also available for auction and replica purchase at the Arena. Cosplayers and performers will dot the concourse throughout the night, with special flourishes on the field during the game as well. On Sunday, January 30, the Sockers host Utica City FC for the first time in franchise history, a 5pm kickoff. The club will honor our local First Responders (police/fire/paramedics) with a pre-match ceremony and halftime Police v Fire bubble soccer match. Fans will receive a special Sockers logo water bottle.  

The Sockers are proud partners with Kaiser Permanente, the club’s primary kit sponsor. On Sunday, February 6, the club will honor the Frontline Workers who continue to risk their life and health throughout the COVID pandemic with a night of celebration, including a halftime ceremony at Pechanga Arena. Fans at the 5pm match against Tacoma will receive a new Sockers supporters’ scarf, presented by Kaiser.  

The month of February closes out with a pair of tough out-of-division opponents coming to town, starting with the Kansas City Comets visiting on Friday, February 25 at 7:35pm. The Sockers will pay tribute to their brothers in local pro soccer, the San Diego Loyal, in a halftime ceremony kicking off the Loyal’s 2022 USL Championship campaign. Fans in attendance will receive the official Sockers’ 2021-22 team poster, with a post-match autograph signing session on the field.  

On Sunday, February 27, the Milwaukee Wave wash into Pechanga Arena, a meeting of the previous two Ron Newman Cup holders and MASL champions. It’s Noche Latina Night, with a special Fan Fiesta in the parking lot two hours prior to the 5pm kickoff, and a themed giveaway for those who purchase a special ticket. In addition, fans will receive “thunder sticks” on their way into the arena, to create an extra-loud atmosphere for the big match.  

Saturday, March 5 is the return of the Sockers Alumni Night at Pechanga Arena, always a top night of the season. In addition to wearing their retro kits at home once again for the 7pm kickoff against Chihuahua, the Sockers will auction their game-worn kits to the public, benefiting charity. At halftime, the Sockers will welcome their alumni from the rich championship history of the club back out on the floor to play once more, with a special 40th Anniversary nod to the Sockers’ first-ever champions, the 1981-82 club.  

The Sockers return home on Sunday, March 20 for Military Night, honoring our Armed Forces and the families who support them, when they host the Tacoma Stars at 5pm. The club will wear a special military-themed kit for the match, to be auctioned afterward for charity. Fans will receive a Sockers bucket hat, perfect for the upcoming spring and summer months.  

The final home weekend of the regular season will be filled with fun and surprises, beginning with the club’s only weekday home match of the campaign, a Thursday, March 31, 7:35pm contest against the Florida Tropics. The Sockers will host their second-ever Sock Toss, with fans encouraged to bring new pairs of socks and underwear, to be thrown on the field when the home team scores their first goal of the match. The socks and underwear will be collected and donated to local homeless shelters. In addition, it will be a Thirsty Thursday, with reduced-cost drink specials during the match.  

The regular season wraps up with a Sunday, April 3, 5pm kickoff against Ontario, and the Sockers’ annual Fan Appreciation Night. The action will kick off with a 3pm Fan Fest in the parking lot, and continue with a Cesar Cerda T-shirt giveaway for fans, and a halftime Mascot Game.  

Further clarifying details on each promotion, event and auction will be released closer to match time. Full season and single-game tickets are available for purchase for the entire 2021-22 MASL regular season schedule by visiting sdsockers.com/tickets. To purchase tickets without fees, call the Sockers directly at (866) 799-GOAL.