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OCEANSIDE, Calif. — The Arena Football One League is expanding to Southern California, with the Oceanside Bombers beginning play in spring 2026.
League officials and community leaders announced the new expansion team Wednesday at a press conference at Frontwave Arena, marking a milestone moment for the coastal city.
“This is a proud day for Oceanside,” said Mayor Esther C. Sanchez, who joined speakers Vanessa Lee of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, Jerry Kurz, CEO of Arena Football One, and Jeff Fisher, the league’s commissioner and former Tennessee Titans head coach in making the announcement.
Once a quiet beach stop for Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton, Oceanside has grown into a lively coastal city that blends surf-town character with steady urban revival. Palm-lined streets lead to cafés, breweries and the landmark wooden pier that stretches into the Pacific.
Downtown redevelopment has paired new hotels and art spaces with older storefronts, giving the area a refreshed but familiar look.
Anchored by the historic Mission San Luis Rey, the city of about 170,000 residents keeps its working-class roots even as tourism and redevelopment expand. Families, service members and artists mix easily in a community that values authenticity over polish.
The Bombers are owned and operated by a local partnership group led by Vernon Pertelle, president and managing partner, along with Felix Berry, Joshua Tiller, Greg Anderson, and George Qualls.
