Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Expands 2026 Dodgers Dreamteam Program to serve 17,000 Youth Across 156 Locations
LOS ANGELES (April 1, 2026)— Over the last 13 seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) Dodgers Dreamteam program, an affiliate of Nike RBI, has grown into a vital cornerstone in Greater Los Angeles, connecting young people with the resources and opportunities needed to play baseball and softball while building confidence, leadership and life skills that extend beyond the diamond.
Registration for the 2026 season is now open through 20 affiliate organizations across 156 locations, allowing LADF to serve 17,000 youth—a 13% increase over last year. New affiliate partners include the City of El Monte, County North and LA Metro Churches/Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, as well as expansion into Pomona in partnership with Woodcraft Rangers. The program’s growth aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to expanding equitable access to sports and resources across Los Angeles County.
At its core, Dodgers Dreamteam is a comprehensive sports-based youth development program that provides an inclusive, barrier-free environment, ensuring underserved youth can participate. All participants receive free uniforms and access to baseball and softball equipment, removing financial hurdles to play.
“Cost or circumstance should never determine whether a child gets to play and grow, and Dodgers Dreamteam is how we put that belief into action,” said Nichol McKenzie-Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. “By partnering with local organizations, facilities, and leaders, we’re able to increase capacity, strengthen neighborhoods, and tackle the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles through a variety of resources.”
In addition to baseball and softball programs, Dodgers Dreamteam delivers wraparound health and education services for youth and their families, including college workshops and career panels, literacy resources, STEM curriculum and scholarship opportunities. Throughout the season, the Foundation’s sponsors, partners, and volunteers will unite to help participating youth thrive on and off the field.
In 2025, Dodgers Dreamteam served 15,000 youth, delivering sports-based youth development and comprehensive wraparound support through high-impact programming and resources. More than 7,500 Dodgers Dreamteam youth and families participated in community resource fairs where they received critical services and resources. 89% of families shared that their family had improved access to basic necessities since participating in Dodgers Dreamteam. In addition, LADF trained over 1,500 coaches in positive youth development practices, and 94% of Dodgers Dreamteam participants reported that program coaches often expressed expectations that young people try hard and do their best. 91% of Dodgers Dreamteam participants would recommend the program to a friend.
Building on this momentum in 2026, Dodgers Dreamteam youth will continue to receive comprehensive wraparound services, including LA Reads literacy resources, transportation support through LA Metro, Science of Baseball STEM curriculum, on-field instruction from Dodgers Training Academy, and the opportunity to apply for LADF’s $10,000 Legacy Scholarship.
To ensure long-term sustainability and program quality, LADF has trained over 7,000 coaches to strengthen its sports-based youth development model and will continue to partner with Nike to host Coaches Trainings alongside three leading organizations: Center for Healing and Justice through Sport, Positive Coaching Alliance, and Dodgers Training Academy. These trainings, along with the Dodgers Dreamteam Coaches Playbook, Living Jackie’s Nine, equip parents and coaches with the tools to support social-emotional learning and foster positive, healthy environments.
Families and prospective coaches interested in learning more about Dodgers Dreamteam can visit Dodgers.com/DodgersDreamteam.
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation thanks its generous program sponsors and partners for their continued support of Dodgers Dreamteam and for advancing the Foundation’s vision of a city where everyone, regardless of ZIP code, has the opportunity to thrive:
Community Ambassador Sponsor
Bank of America
Program Sponsors
Nike
Fanatics
LA84 Foundation
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
The Cammilleri Family Foundation
Helen and Will Webster Foundation
California Masonic Foundation
County of LA Department of Public Works
Fox Foundation
Arco
UCLA Health
Parra-Matthews Family
Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation
We Benefit Children
Billie Jean King Foundation
El Pato
Program Partners
Country Archer
Baby2Baby
CalFresh Food
Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport
Papa Cantellas
Coach Across America
C5LA
Dasani
Fly Forward
Hello Insight
Kiwanis Library Club Foundation
LeagueApps
Los Angeles Library Foundation
Los Angeles Dodgers Training Academy
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Los Angeles Metro
Natasha Watley Foundation
Panda Express
Pitch in for Baseball & Softball
Positive Coaching Alliance
Ready, Set, Gold!
Science of Sport
Shoes That Fit
UCLA Health Sports Performance powered by Exos
UpMetrics
USC College Advising Corps
Vision to Learn
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About the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation:
**The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) tackles the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, health care, homelessness, and social justice for all Angelenos. Under its new strategic plan, “Lasting Impact for Los Angeles,” LADF is amplifying best practices, scaling solutions, growing its capacity, and refining its work with investments exceeding $76.5 million in its programs and grants to local organizations. To date, LADF has positively impacted over 11.5 million youth. LADF is the proud recipient of ESPN's Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award, Beyond Sport's Sport for Reduced Racial Inequalities Collective Impact Award, and the Aspen Institute Project Play Champion. To learn more, visit Dodgers.com/LADF and join the conversation on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
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CONTACTS:
Alexandre Torres
Rocket Launch / LADF
(714) 340-7842
atorres@rocketlaunchagency.com
Joe Jareck
Los Angeles Dodgers
(323) 224-1549