It started with a toss of a disc under San Diego's sun-kissed skies. What was once a dream of a few dedicated players has become a 10-year spectacle of speed, strategy and spirited friendship. Saturday, May 3, the San Diego Growlers take the field for their 10th season opener and the city is welcome to join the fun.
Under the stadium lights of Mission Bay High School, the Growlers will play their old foe Los Angeles Aviators in what is set to be more than a game it is a milestone in local sports history.
A Decade of Struggle and Motivation
In 2015, when the Growlers first stepped onto the field, ultimate frisbee was still coming out of the shadows of more established sports. It was fast-paced, exciting and highly competitive but not yet widely recognized. San Diego wagered on this new breed of professional sports and over the last ten years the Growlers have built something lasting.
Their name an allusion to the local craft beer culture and the team's gritty, hard-nosed determination, came to symbolize high-flying action and hard-playing passion. Fans have witnessed thrilling comebacks, high-arcing throws and heart-stopping finishes unfold on the San Diego field over the years. Now, as the franchise starts its tenth season, the Growlers are veterans in a league still growing up around them.
A Home Opener That Merges Sport and Spectacle
The 2025 home opener is not just the beginning of a new season it's a celebration of all that the Growlers have accomplished. On May 3rd, the team will be back at Mission Bay High School for a high-pressure clash with the Aviators, this time as part of the newly reorganized South Division.
The night will be a full-fledged affair, produced to draw seasoned fans, inquisitive newcomers and families as well. Kickoff will be 6:30 p.m. PT and guests will have a lively pre-game and halftime show with live DJ sets, face painting, balloon twisters and concession-style food vendors. Kids 12 and under get in free, making it a perfect weekend activity combining affordability with first-class entertainment.
Fan favorites like Growler Phil the popular team mascot will be on hand to provide high energy. And for the competitive type, the hole-in-one contest has a cash prize waiting to be won no athletic training necessary.
Why This Season Feels Different
The hype surrounding the Growlers this year is more electric than ever. Off of a stronger 2024 campaign and bolstered by a roster of athletic and intelligent talent, the team appears poised to make a deep run in the playoffs. There is a sense that this is the year they finally crack the UFA Championship tier. But more is on the line than individual victories and defeats. The entire Ultimate Frisbee Association has been transformed. During the off-season, the league introduced a new team the Vegas Bighorns and opened the door to alliances with big brands such as Pabst Light and Trulieve. These actions indicate that ultimate frisbee is entering the national stage with more speed and visibility than ever.
The 2025 season has also witnessed never-before-seen player movement across the sport as top stars swap teams and world talent stretches out rosters. This makes for tough competition and a greater intensity than ever.
Access the Action Wherever You Are
For those who can't make it to the game in person, WatchUFA.tv has made it simpler than ever to see every play. Pabst Light is the sponsor of the streaming site, which provides live streaming of all Growlers games, on-demand replays, exclusive league material and instructional videos for potential players.
WatchUFA.tv is streamed on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and smartphones, with prices starting at $11.99 per month or $89.99 per season. The Growlers' next game is Sunday, May 4, when they travel north to play the Aviators again at Great Park Championship Stadium. That contest begins at 2:00 p.m. PT and also will be streamed.
A New Chapter in San Diego's Sporting Tradition
San Diego Growlers have spent a decade building ultimate frisbee into the city's prized sporting tradition. Their success has mirrored that of San Diego itself innovative, vibrant and fervent.
This weekend's game is not just about frisbee. It is about celebrating how far this team and sport have come. It is about reliving the joy of sitting in the stands, watching live competition play out with each catch, cut and dash. And for others, it is about doing it all with friends and family present and sharing good food, music and a lovely Southern California evening.
For fans of memorable moments and the excitement of live entertainment, the Growlers provide something extraordinary. A decade later, they were the long shot of a league that was growing by leaps and bounds. Today, they stand as evidence of what the result of unbridled passion and persistence will do. Come see for yourself. The disc is in the air and the future is wide open.
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