San Diego has been selected to host Olympic soccer matches during the LA28 Olympic Games, putting our city on one of the largest global stages in the world! 

This is a major win for our city and a clear signal that San Diego is ready to compete, host, and lead alongside some of the world’s great cities. 

Events of this scale deliver real benefits for San Diegans. Olympic soccer matches will be played at Snapdragon Stadium (which will be officially referred as the “San Diego Stadium” during the event) creating jobs, driving tourism, and generating economic activity across our region, from hospitality and transportation to small businesses and local vendors. This moment also brings lasting value by showcasing San Diego as a premier destination for international events, investment, and innovation. 

This selection reflects years of work to build world-class infrastructure and partnerships. Snapdragon Stadium has quickly become a hub for professional and international soccer, and it has proven that San Diego can successfully host major global events with energy, professionalism, and community pride. 

When the world tunes in for the Olympics, they will see more than matches on the field. They will see our neighborhoods, our culture, our workforce, and a city that knows how to welcome visitors and deliver at the highest level. 

From the Olympics to other big-city wins, San Diego is strengthening its global profile in ways that create jobs, grow our economy, and position our city for long-term success. 

Read more about recent wins like this in our 2025 Progress Report.  

Early data from the 2026 Point-in-Time Count shows a nearly 50 percent reduction in the number of people experiencing homelessness in the riverbed, dropping from 294 people in September 2025 to 148 in January 2026. This measurable improvement reflects what happens when outreach is focused, partnerships are aligned, and resources are directed where they are needed most. 

This progress is the result of coordinated, data-driven work led by the San Diego River Park Foundation, in partnership with PATH San Diego, City Park Rangers, outreach providers, and regional leaders. Crucially, it has been supported by the State of California’s Encampment Resolution Funding grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, which helps cities move people from unsafe encampments into safer alternatives with services. 

The San Diego River corridor is one of the most challenging environments for outreach. People living there face heightened risks from flooding, winter storms, and isolation. The nearly 50 percent reduction in just four months shows that sustained engagement, accurate data, and strong collaboration can deliver results you can see. 

While this progress matters, the work is not finished. There are still too many people living in unsafe conditions along the riverbed. We remain committed to continuing this effort, building on what is working, and expanding solutions that bring people inside while protecting the health of the river and surrounding communities. 

This is what it looks like when the City, nonprofit partners, and the State come together with a shared goal: reducing homelessness through action, accountability, and results. 

In last week’s trivia feature, we asked: Which legendary San Diegan is widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball history and spent his entire career with the Padres? 

Here’s how you voted: 

▪️ Dave Winfield — 2.33% (4) 
✅ Tony Gwynn — 95.35% (164) 
▪️ Jackie Robinson — 2.33% (4) 

The correct answer is Tony Gwynn. Known as “Mr. Padre,” Tony Gwynn spent his entire career in San Diego and remains one of the most beloved figures in the city’s sports history. 

This week’s question, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day: Which famous San Diego coastal landmark was originally developed as a private romantic estate in 1915, featuring Japanese-style footbridges and "temples" carved into the cliffs for the developer's wife?
 

▪️ Sunset Cliffs 
▪️ Torrey Pines 
▪️ La Jolla Cove 

Answer below or send your guess to AskTheMayor@sandiego.gov — and check back next week to see if you got it right. 

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department is inviting residents to help shape the future of recreation in San Diego. Community input will guide how recreation centers operate, what programs are offered, and how residents receive information about them.

The Parks and Recreation Department is inviting community leaders and representatives to 45-minute Zoom focus groups to share ideas, flag barriers to participation, and improve how we communicate about programs. Sessions include a brief presentation, Q&A, and an interactive survey. Registration is required. 

Upcoming dates (by Council Districts): 
 

Upcoming Virtual Focus Groups

• Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026: All Council Districts
  4 p.m.

Register to attend: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8494849/San-Diego-Parks-and-Rec-Community-Focus-Group-Registration 

Questions: sdparksneeds@keenindependent.com 

You can also take the Community Recreation Needs Survey at sandiego.gov/parksurvey by February 28, 2026.

Downtown’s Civic Center Plaza is getting a vibrant refresh with Plaza Central — a new series of pop-up events bringing food, music, and art to the heart of the city. The activations are free and open to the public every Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a lively preview of the area’s long-term revitalization. 

 
Learn more about Plaza Central events.