It’s time for the holidays, and Santa has gifted us a packed sports calendar. The college football season is wrapping up, highlighted in San Diego by the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl, and on the basketball court the Aztecs are once again proving they are one of the best, most consistent men’s college basketball programs in the country. And you, too, can get in on the action this month. The 12th annual San Diego Santa Run through Pacific Beach makes for one of the most festive days of the year. Here are our picks for the five best sporting events to watch or attend in San Diego this month.
No. 24 SDSU Men’s Basketball vs. University of San Diego
Saturday, December 7 | 7:00 p.m. | Viejas Arena
Watch: YurView
After beating No. 21 Creighton and No. 6 Houston in a span of four days, SDSU has crashed the AP‘s Top 25 Men’s College Basketball Poll, landing at No. 24 in the latest rankings. It’s a familiar story for coach Brian Dutcher’s team. After an unremarkable start to the 2022-23 season, SDSU won 25 of their last 28 games to reach the national championship game. Last year, they lost seven games in a 15-game stretch before turning it around to make the Sweet Sixteen.
“When we scheduled this season, I knew I had a good team, but could we be good in November?“ Dutcher said after the recent victory over Houston. “It was a daunting four-game stretch with [Gonzaga], Creighton, Oregon, and Houston. But we played good basketball, and we did what we had to do.” The Aztecs will look to climb the rankings against crosstown rivals USD.
San Diego Seals vs. Colorado Mammoth
Friday, December 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Pechanga Arena
Breakout the eyeliner and let your top eight on Myspace know that the Seals are back in action and hosting Emo Night at their game on Friday, December 13. But there’s no reason to be sad about San Diego’s National Lacrosse League franchise. In the five seasons since their inception in 2019, the Seals have compiled a 53-31 record and have never missed the NLL playoffs. (The 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19.) Led by captain and star forward Wes Berg, the Seals look to build on last season’s successful 13-win campaign that ended in the NLL semifinals. Tickets start at $21 and the angsty singalongs are free.
San Diego Santa Run
Saturday, December 14 | 8:00 a.m. | 912 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
Staged by San Diego Running Company, the San Diego Santa Run sees over 30,000 Santa Clauses descend from the North Pole to race through warm and sunny Pacific Beach. It’s why USA Today has named it the “best fun run” in the country, and it immediately precedes the PB Holiday Parade. There may not be a more festive day in San Diego. Registration for the 5K is $55, and includes a Santa suit and a drink ticket, redeemable at Mavericks Beach Club. Kids and pets don’t have to miss the festivities, either. For $35, they can participate in a one-miler.
2024 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl
Friday, December 27 | Time: 5:00 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium
Watch: Fox
The 44th edition of the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl has something for everyone. There’s the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, billed as “America’s Largest Balloon Parade,” and the Snapdragon Bowl Bash downtown. For those wanting to relive the glory days, there’s a tailgate party, and for those who want to burn off their holiday feasts there’s a 5K walk/run. And of course, there’s the Holiday Bowl game itself, which is typically one of college football’s best matchups of the year and one of San Diego’s great sports traditions.
“Last year’s game was fantastic with a strong USC performance over the highly ranked Louisville Cardinals,” said Jackie Reed, 2024 president of Sports San Diego. “We can’t wait for this year’s game at our new home at Snapdragon Stadium.” Teams will be announced on December 8, but tickets are available now.
San Diego Clippers vs. Memphis Hustle
Sunday, December 29 | 6:00 p.m. | Frontwave Arena
The NBA G League Clippers made their San Diego debut last month, and at 5-3 on the year they’re giving fans at Oceanside’s new Frontwave Arena an exciting brand of team basketball. None of the Clippers are one of the G League’s top-five scorers, yet the Clips are the third highest-scoring team. Led by guard Jordan Miller’s 20 points-per-game, they’re getting contributions from every position on the floor. There are two home games this month to see them in action, but the December 29 game against the Memphis Hustle stands out as First Responders Night. Tickets start at $18.
