On March 29, 2025, during the San Diego Padres’ home opener series against the Atlanta Braves, Petco Park buzzed with excitement as Louise Ronaldson, a British transplant who came to the U.S. on a tennis scholarship and lived in Mississippi, Boulder, Colorado, and New York before settling in sunny San Diego, became an instant fan favorite. Known now as the Padres Shoey Queen, she electrified the crowd by chugging a beer from her Adidas Samba sneaker on the Jumbotron, a daring move that racked up over 500,000 views on social media within hours and introduced a wild British and Aussie tradition to Padres Nation.
With the game dragging on scoreless, Ronaldson's spontaneous shoey - a tradition often seen at motorsports events and music festivals Down Under - lit up the stadium, blending San Diego's chill vibe with her bold personality. The Padres Shoey Queen, a nickname embraced by the Friar Faithful, has since captured the hearts of fans, and we sat down with her to dive into the story behind her viral moment, her journey as a Padres fan, and her plans to keep the party going at Petco Park.
What inspired you to do a “shoey” during the game? Was this a spontaneous decision, or had you been planning to make a splash on the Jumbotron?
The baseball game was a bit of a dud with no runs yet, so as an English person it felt like the natural time to take off my shoe and get my section hyped up. I didn’t think they would allow that type of debauchery on the Jumbotron, but as soon as the camera man pointed at me I knew it was what we needed!
You were drinking a beer out of an Adidas Samba sneaker—can you tell us more about the shoe? How old is it, and does it have any special significance to you? Was it clean before you poured the beer in, or did you embrace the grit for the full experience? Has it been featured in any other shoeys in the past?
First off, the Adidas Samba is the Jack of all trades for long walks, goes with any fit, and is the perfect orifice for chugging a beer! It checks all the boxes. No personal shoe of mine is truly broken until I’ve ripped a shoey out of it.
What kind of beer/beverage were you drinking, and how did it taste coming out of a sneaker? Any tips for future shoey enthusiasts on choosing the right brew?
It was a good ole Pizza Port pilsner. Like every Corona needs a lime, ever pilsner needs a shoe! Shoeys don’t discriminate - my Guinness on St. Patrick’s day also tasted fantastic coming out of my shoe. I will tell you that it is not for the faint hearted but the crowd will get you through every time!
As a Padres fan, what does the team mean to you? How long have you been cheering for them, and what’s your favorite memory of supporting the Padres—besides this viral moment, of course?
The Padres are my first and only love in baseball. As a Brit, I obviously didn’t grow up with the sport and found it a bit boring; but as soon as I moved to San Diego I fell in love with the team.
What was your experience like at Petco Park that day? Did the crowd’s reaction surprise you, and how did it feel to see yourself on the Jumbotron and the attention you've received since?
Petco Park was amazing as always - best fans in the country. The main reaction I focused on was my CEO texting me immediately after asking if that was me.
San Diego is known for its vibrant baseball culture—how has your time in the city shaped your love for the Padres? Are there any local spots that you love to visit on game days?
San Diego and the Padres go hand in hand (especially with no other major league sports team haha), but in all seriousness, it’s a very laid back atmosphere and my first time in a USA sports arena where they have amazing food, and fans that legitimately show up for every game! It’s easy to get into it.
Your shoey has made you a bit of a local celebrity! Do you plan to continue your rise to stardom with more shoeys at future Padres games, or was this a one-time spectacle?
I don’t consider myself to be a star by any means, but if Padres fans want it Padres fans will get it. My shoe will be open for business at every home game. Shoeys are one of my favourite parts of British and Aussie culture and I hope my 10 seconds of fame will bring awareness that shoeys are an integral part of any spectator sport and I’m happy the global phenomenon has finally reached the beautiful beaches of San Diego!
Finally, any message for Padres fans who are still talking about your epic moment? Maybe a rallying cry for the team as they chase a World Series title this season?
I would like to encourage Padres fans worldwide to embrace the power of the shoey, and most importantly in the words of the great Jorge Alfaro - "LETS FUCKING GO SAN DIEGO!"
The Padres Shoey Queen has kicked off the 2025 season with a bang, showing that San Diego's fans bring as much energy as the players on the field. As the Padres chase glory this year, her shoey antics have added a new layer of fun to Petco Park's electric atmosphere, proving that sometimes the best moments happen in the stands.
Follow the Padres Shoey Queen's journey and catch more of her spirited support on Instagram at @louise_ronaldson.
