The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to online professional development (OPD) for teachers. Physical education teachers face distinct challenges given the interactive nature of their subjects. This study investigated how social presence influences satisfaction with OPD among 723 Moroccan physical education teachers undertaking an 8-week online training course during the pandemic. A survey measured perceptions of social presence and satisfaction. Results showed significant positive relationships between multiple aspects of social presence and key satisfaction dimensions. Findings provide evidence that intentionally fostering social presence can optimise engagement and outcomes for online teacher training during crises. By highlighting the need to cultivate social presence, results inform improvements to promote learning. Further research should examine the causal links between presence and satisfaction facets over time. This study demonstrates the importance of social presence for effective online professional development for physical education teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.