The stadium was first announced on December 3, 2019, by then-Governor Gina Raimondo and Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien at an estimated cost of US$80 million, with a seating capacity of 7,500.[3][4] The development, initially called Tidewater Landing, aimed at developing the riverfront and creating a new mixed used development at a total cost of around $400 million.[5] The stadium was expected to open by 2022, ready for the Rhode Island FC to begin play in the 2022 USL Championship season.[6]
Construction over the development was hindered with problems regarding the site, as toxic materials due to industrial waste led to dangerous levels of toxins being found in the soil on the development site.[7] However, by October 2022 the contaminated waste was cleared and construction was greenlighted,[8] with Dimeo Construction named as the primary construction contractor.[9][10]
Financial issues
Funding stood to be a constant issue for the Tidewater stadium. With worries over safeguards and guarantees over public money being used properly,[11] with the need of private funding and multiple rounds of grants to help contribute to construction.[12][13] June 2022 put the project into question, as the state government stood at a deadlock on whether or not to accept a request by developers for $30 million more dollars to continue construction, jumping the projected cost from $59 million to $126 million.[14][15] After a 6–5 vote, with two abstaining,[16] $36 million in funds, that was originally set aside towards funding apartments and homes on the development site, was redirected all towards the construction of the stadium.[17]
Public bonds were again withheld in March 2023, citing market worries due to rising inflation and continued effects from the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] By early 2024, all funding for the stadium had been secured, mostly in the form of bonds expected to be paid back over a time period of thirty years,[19][20] totaling around $54 million.[21]
Construction
A ground-breaking ceremony was hosted in August 2022,[22][23] before being paused due to a lack of funding.[24] Construction resumed by the fourth quarter of 2023, before construction again was paused in early 2024 due to a new issue arising on the subject of funding.[25] Finally, construction was finally continued by February 2024.[26] The main structure beams were all put into place by mid-June 2024, celebrated in a topping-off ceremony.[27][28]
Installation of seats began in late September 2024.[29] By December 2024, installations of the seats, sound system, and video board had been completed, and the artificial turf began to be installed.[30] Construction was completed by early May, just in time for Rhode Island FC's first home match at the stadium, with a final cost of the stadium being $132 million.[31]
Naming rights for the new stadium were announced on April 8, 2025 with Centreville Bank becoming the official stadium naming partner.[32]
A view of the pitch in May 2025 before an Open Cup match between Rhode Island FC and the New England Revolution.
Opening
The stadium opened on May 3, 2025, for Rhode Island FC's scheduled regular season home game against San Antonio FC, resulting in a scoreless draw and an over-capacity announced attendance of 10,700. The team could host a game in the third round of the 2025 US Open Cup before the regular season opener.[33] The first goal in stadium history was scored by Tomás Chancalay of the New England Revolution on May 7, 2025, in the Revolution's 2–1 2025 U.S. Open Cup win over Rhode Island F.C.[34] In their first season at the stadium, Rhode Island FC drew a total attendance of 166,598 spectators and had five sellouts; the largest crowd—10,749 against Birmingham Legion FC on July 5—set a club record.[35]
A view of the stadium during a match on March 17, 2026
Events
Soccer
Centreville Bank Stadium has been home to Rhode Island FC of the USL Championship since its opening on May 3, 2025. It has also hosted a US Open Cup match against MLS clubs and international friendlies.
On February 19, 2025, it was announced that the final three regular season matches of the inaugural Women's Elite Rugby season for the Boston Banshees would be played at Centreville Bank Stadium.[40]
On April 23, 2025, Major League Rugby announced Centreville Bank Stadium as the host of the 2025 MLR Championship, the first time the event will be held in a market that does not host an MLR team.[41]
In 2025, Centreville Bank Stadium hosted the Governor's Cup between Brown and Rhode Island, a rivalry match between two of the biggest colleges in Rhode Island.[43]
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