February marked the official kickoff to the 2026 season!Â
The month was filled with meaningful moments across the community, from Black History Month celebrations, to volunteering at the LA Food Bank, and a special Make-A-Wish Meet & Greet with Sonny, along with a private stadium tour.Â
If February is any indication, this season will be defined not only by what happens on matchday, but by the impact we make together throughout our community.
LAFC is Back Week: To kick off LAFC is Back week, the team was out and about in Los Angeles.
Starting defender Nkosi Tafari and midfielder Timothy Tillman surprised the students at Queen Anne Place Elementary School with a visit and a read-along in honor of Black History Month. Our players read an inspiring story about a young Black soccer athlete that helps our youth see themselves in the game and beyond! They also answered student questions, and sparked cheerful conversation with the kids.Â
Each student also received a complimentary book thanks to Families In Schools and LAFC giveaways, making it a memorable celebration of literacy, representation, and community.
In partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Chick-fil-A Southern California, and Call Jacob, our team proudly volunteered at the local food bank to help sort and organize donations. Employees and supporters came together in service, sorting more than 13,400 pounds of food for families in need.
In partnership with Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles, we welcomed 6-year-old Senoch Oh and his family from Ottawa for an unforgettable LAFC home opener weekend. In remission from Burkitt’s Lymphoma, Senoch saw his wish come true as he watched Son Heung-Min and Lionel Messi go head-to-head live. The celebration kicked off with a VIP tour of BMO Stadium and a surprise customized locker filled with LAFC gifts – plus a special 1-on-1 FC26 PlayStation match in the locker room with Aaron Long. The unforgettable weekend ended on a high note with a personal meet-and-greet with Sonny himself.
We were proud to help kick off the Villa Parke Youth Soccer League Inauguration Parade, celebrating the start of a new season alongside nearly 70 teams of youth athletes ages 2–18. The event brought together players, families, coaches, and City of Pasadena officials in a powerful show of community engagement and spirit.
In partnership with Zelle, we were honored to deepen our commitment to several families impacted by last year’s Altadena fires by providing $5,000 in new soccer equipment to participating teams. We also distributed special giveaways and brought our falcon, Olly, on-site to connect directly with the young athletes.
In collaboration with the Play Equity Fund, LASEC, The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee, LAFC and ACFC came together to host a free youth soccer clinic for young athletes ages 6-12. The free clinic provided youth participants with the opportunity to build confidence and skills on the pitch, inspire lifelong love for the game, and offered an inclusive environment for every youth athlete. We had a wonderful time collaborating with Angel City and providing the youth participants a fun way to build their soccer skills. Every participant left with a goodie bag and a great time!
