Soccer-specific stadium

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Energizer Park, home of St. Louis City SC, is a soccer-specific stadium located in St. Louis. City Park, Saint Louis.jpg
Energizer Park, home of St. Louis City SC, is a soccer-specific stadium located in St. Louis.

A soccer-specific stadium, mainly in the United States and Canada, [1] is a sports stadium either purpose-built or fundamentally redesigned for soccer and whose primary function is to host soccer matches, as opposed to a multi-purpose stadium which is for a variety of sports. A soccer-specific stadium may host other sporting events (such as lacrosse, American football and rugby) and concerts, but the design and purpose of a soccer-specific stadium is primarily for soccer. Some facilities (for example SeatGeek Stadium, Toyota Stadium and Historic Crew Stadium) have a permanent stage at one end of the stadium used for staging concerts.

Contents

A soccer-specific stadium typically has amenities, dimensions and scale suitable for soccer in North America, including a scoreboard, video screen, luxury suites and possibly a roof. The field dimensions are within the range found optimal by FIFA: 110–120 yards (100–110 m) long by 70–80 yards (64–75 m) wide. [2] These soccer field dimensions are wider than the regulation American football field width of 53+1⁄3 yards (48.8 m), or the 65-yard (59 m) width of a Canadian football field. The playing surface typically consists of grass as opposed to artificial turf, as the latter is generally disfavored for soccer matches since players are more susceptible to injuries. [3] However, some soccer-specific stadiums, such as Portland's Providence Park and Creighton University's Morrison Stadium, do have artificial turf.

The seating capacity is generally between 18,000 and 30,000 for a Major League Soccer franchise, [4] or smaller for college or minor league soccer teams. This is in comparison to the much larger American football stadiums that mostly range between 60,000 and 80,000 in which the original North American Soccer League teams played and most MLS teams occupied during the league's inception. [5] As opposed to gridiron-style football stadiums, where the front row of seats is elevated several feet above the field of play to allow spectators to see over the heads of substitute players and coaches on the sidelines, soccer-specific venues typically have the front row closer to the level of the pitch. [6] [7]

History

Columbus Crew Stadium (now Historic Crew Stadium) was the first soccer-specific stadium in MLS. Mapfre Stadium (Columbus, Ohio) - aerial photo.jpg
Columbus Crew Stadium (now Historic Crew Stadium) was the first soccer-specific stadium in MLS.

In the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, first-division professional soccer leagues in the United States, such as the North American Soccer League and Major League Soccer, primarily used American football fields, many of which were oversized in terms of seating capacity and undersized in terms of the width of the soccer field; they often used artificial turf (none of which, at the time, were approved for international soccer under FIFA rules).[ citation needed ] Although many of the baseball parks had smaller capacities, natural grass, and a wider field, these parks were generally in use during summer, when North American–based soccer leagues, such as Major League Soccer, also hold their seasons, and the irregular field dimensions and sightlines were often considered undesirable.

Soccer-specific stadiums first came into use in the 1990s, after the multi-purpose stadium era. [8] [9]

The term "soccer-specific stadium" was coined by Lamar Hunt, who financed the construction of Columbus Crew Stadium, the first soccer-specific stadium constructed specifically for Major League Soccer. [8] In the 2000s, other Major League Soccer teams in the United States began constructing their own stadiums. Canada's first soccer-specific stadium was BMO Field in Toronto, home to Toronto FC. This stadium was renovated to accommodate Canadian football for the 2016 and subsequent seasons. [10] The distinction is less prominent in Canada, where MLS's attendance figures are comparable to those of the domestic Canadian Football League, and the CFL's wider field means fewer compromises must be made to accommodate both; Tim Hortons Field was built purposely to both soccer specifications and CFL regulations. Of the three Canadian cities that host both MLS and CFL teams, only one (Montreal) has separate stadiums for each.

Major League Soccer (MLS)

Current MLS soccer-specific stadiums

StadiumClub(s)CityCapacityOpened
Allianz Field Minnesota United FC Saint Paul, Minnesota19,4002019
America First Field Real Salt Lake Sandy, Utah20,2132008
Audi Field D.C. United Washington, D.C.20,0002018
BMO Field Toronto FC Toronto, Ontario30,9912007
BMO Stadium Los Angeles FC Los Angeles, California22,0002018
Children's Mercy Park Sporting Kansas City Kansas City, Kansas18,4672011
Energizer Park St. Louis City SC St. Louis, Missouri22,4232022
Dick's Sporting Goods Park Colorado Rapids Commerce City, Colorado18,0612007
Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy Carson, California27,0002003
Chase Stadium Inter Miami CF Fort Lauderdale, Florida21,5502019
Inter&Co Stadium Orlando City SC Orlando, Florida25,5002017
Geodis Park Nashville SC Nashville, Tennessee30,0002022
Lower.com Field Columbus Crew Columbus, Ohio20,3712021
PayPal Park San Jose Earthquakes San Jose, California18,0002015
Shell Energy Stadium Houston Dynamo FC Houston, Texas22,0392012
Providence Park Portland Timbers Portland, Oregon25,2181926 [n 1]
Q2 Stadium Austin FC Austin, Texas20,7382021
Saputo Stadium CF Montréal Montreal, Quebec19,6192008
Sports Illustrated Stadium New York Red Bulls Harrison, New Jersey25,0002010
Subaru Park Philadelphia Union Chester, Pennsylvania18,5002010
Toyota Stadium FC Dallas Frisco, Texas19,0962005
TQL Stadium FC Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio26,0002021

Under construction

StadiumClub(s)CityProposed capacityPotential opening date
Miami Freedom Park Inter Miami CF Miami, Florida25,0002026
Etihad Park New York City FC Queens, New York25,0002027

National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)

Current NWSL soccer-specific stadiums

StadiumClub(s)CityCapacityOpened
Audi Field Washington Spirit Washington, D.C.20,0002018
BMO Stadium Angel City FC Los Angeles, California22,0002018
CPKC Stadium Kansas City Current Kansas City, Missouri11,5002024
Inter&Co Stadium Orlando Pride Orlando, Florida25,5002017
Lynn Family Stadium Racing Louisville FC Louisville, Kentucky11,7002021
Shell Energy Stadium Houston Dash Houston, Texas22,0392012
Providence Park Portland Thorns FC Portland, Oregon25,2182011
SeatGeek Stadium Chicago Red Stars Bridgeview, Illinois20,0002006
Sports Illustrated Stadium NJ/NY Gotham FC Harrison, New Jersey25,0002010
WakeMed Soccer Park North Carolina Courage Cary, North Carolina10,0002002

United Soccer League (USL)

Current USLC and USL1 soccer-specific stadiums

All USL Championship teams and USL League One teams will be required to play in self-owned, soccer-specific stadiums by the 2022 season. The following is a list of current USL stadiums that are soccer-specific stadiums:

StadiumClub(s)CityCapacityOpened
Al Lang Stadium Tampa Bay Rowdies St. Petersburg, Florida7,2271947 (2015 renovation) [n 2]
American Legion Memorial Stadium Charlotte Independence Charlotte, North Carolina10,5001934 (2019–2021 renovation)
Breese Stevens Field Forward Madison FC Madison, Wisconsin5,0001926
Cardinale Stadium Monterey Bay FC Seaside, California6,0002022
Cashman Field Las Vegas Lights FC Las Vegas, Nevada9,3341983 (2019–2020 renovation) [n 3]
Championship Soccer Stadium Orange County SC Irvine, California5,0002017
CHI Memorial Stadium Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Chattanooga, Tennessee5,5002020
Optim Health System Field South Georgia Tormenta FC Statesboro, Georgia5,3002022
Fresno State Soccer Stadium Central Valley Fuego FC Fresno, California1,0002011
Heart Health Park Sacramento Republic FC Sacramento, California11,2422014
Highmark Stadium Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania5,0002013
Legacy Early College Field Greenville Triumph SC Greenville, South Carolina4,0002019
Lynn Family Stadium Louisville City FC Louisville, Kentucky11,7002020
Patriots Point Soccer Complex Charleston Battery Mount Pleasant, South Carolina3,5002000
Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium Phoenix Rising FC Phoenix, Arizona10,0002023
Regal Stadium One Knoxville SC Knoxville, Tennessee3,0001996
Segra Field Loudoun United FC Leesburg, Virginia5,0002019
Tormenta Stadium South Georgia Tormenta FC Statesboro, Georgia5,3002022
Toyota Field San Antonio FC San Antonio, Texas8,2962013
Trinity Health Stadium Hartford Athletic Hartford, Connecticut5,5001960 (2019 renovation)
WakeMed Soccer Park North Carolina FC Cary, North Carolina10,0002002
Weidner Field Colorado Springs Switchbacks Colorado Springs, Colorado8,0002021
One Spokane Stadium Spokane Velocity Spokane, Washington5,0002023

Stadiums under construction

StadiumClub(s)CityPlanned capacityPotential opening date
Eleven Park Indy Eleven Indianapolis, Indiana20,0002025
Tidewater Landing Stadium Rhode Island FC Providence, Rhode Island10,5002025

Proposed USL soccer-specific stadiums

StadiumClub(s)CityProposed capacity
Pro Iowa Stadium USL Pro Iowa Des Moines, Iowa6,100
Iron District Stadium USL Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin8,000

NCAA (Division I)

StadiumTeam(s)CityCapacityOpened
Albert-Daly Field William & Mary Tribe Williamsburg, Virginia 1,0002004
Ambrose Urbanic Field Pittsburgh Panthers Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 7352011
BBVA Field UAB Blazers Birmingham, Alabama 5,0002015
Belson Stadium St. John's Red Storm Queens, New York 2,6002001
Bill Armstrong Stadium Indiana Hoosiers Bloomington, Indiana 6,5001981
Columbia Soccer Stadium Columbia Lions Manhattan, New York 3,5001985
Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium West Virginia Mountaineers Morgantown, West Virginia 1,6002004
Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium Louisville Cardinals Louisville, Kentucky 5,3002014
Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium Minnesota Golden Gophers Falcon Heights, Minnesota 1,0001999
Ellis Field Texas A&M Aggies College Station, Texas 3,5001994
Eugene E. Stone III Stadium South Carolina Gamecocks Columbia, South Carolina 5,0001981
Razorback Field Arkansas Razorbacks Fayetteville, AR 1,5001992
Eugene E. Stone III Stadium Furman Paladins Greenville, South Carolina 3,0001995
Harder Stadium UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Santa Barbara, California 17,0001966
Hermann Stadium Saint Louis Billikens St. Louis, Missouri 6,0501999
Hofstra University Soccer Stadium Hofstra Pride Hempstead, New York 1,6002003
Hurricane Soccer & Track Stadium Tulsa Golden Hurricane Tulsa, Oklahoma 2,0002003
Lamar Soccer Complex Lamar Lady Cardinals Beaumont, Texas 5002009
Mazzella Field Iona Gaels New Rochelle, New York 2,4001989
Mean Green Village North Texas Mean Green Denton, Texas 1,0002006
Merlo Field Portland Pilots Portland, Oregon 4,8921990
Mike Rose Soccer Complex Memphis Tigers Memphis, Tennessee 2,5002001
Morrison Stadium Creighton Bluejays Omaha, Nebraska 6,0002003
Morrone Stadium UConn Huskies Storrs, Connecticut 5,1001969
Nicholls Soccer Complex Nicholls State Colonels Thibodaux, Louisiana 1,0001998
Old Dominion Soccer Complex Old Dominion Monarchs and Lady Monarchs Norfolk, Virginia 4,0001990
Riggs Field Clemson Tigers Clemson, South Carolina 6,5001915
Roberts Stadium Princeton Tigers Princeton, New Jersey 2,3562008
SU Soccer Stadium Syracuse Orange Syracuse, New York 1,5001996
University of Denver Soccer Stadium Denver Pioneers Denver, Colorado 2,0002009
UNCG Soccer Stadium University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina 3,5401990
Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex Marshall Thundering Herd Huntington, West Virginia 1,0062013
Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium Hawaiʻi Rainbow Wahine Waipiʻo, Hawaii 4,5002000
Yurcak Field Rutgers Scarlet Knights Piscataway, New Jersey 5,0001994
Ole Miss Soccer Stadium Ole Miss Rebels Oxford, Mississippi 1,5001997

Other soccer-specific stadiums

StadiumTeam(s)DivisionCityCapacityOpened
City Park Stadium Westchester Flames USL2 New Rochelle, New York 1,8451970s
Historic Crew Stadium Columbus Crew 2 MLS Next Pro Columbus, Ohio 20,0001999
King George V Park National Stadium
Memorial Sea-Hawks 		CONCACAF
U Sports 		St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador 6,4001925
Lusitano Stadium Western Mass Pioneers USL2 Ludlow, Massachusetts 3,0001918
Macpherson Stadium North Carolina Fusion U23 USL2 Browns Summit, North Carolina 7,0002002
Metropolitan Oval Queens, New York 1,5001925 (2001 renovation)
Orange Beach Sportsplex Local teams, SEC Women's Soccer Tournament Local Orange Beach, Alabama 1,5002001
Starfire Sports Tukwila, Washington 4,5002002
Switchbacks Training Stadium Colorado Springs, Colorado 5,0001985
Uihlein Soccer Park MSOE Raiders NCAA Milwaukee, Wisconsin 7,0001994
Virginia Beach Sportsplex Virginia Beach United FC USL2 Virginia Beach, Virginia 10,5001999
Wallis Annenberg Stadium UCLA Bruins teams Los Angeles, California 2,1452018
WRAL Soccer Center CASL teams CASL Raleigh, North Carolina 3,2001990

Past soccer-specific stadiums

StadiumClub(s)CityCapacityOpenedYears usedStatus
Mark's Stadium Fall River F.C. Tiverton (CDP), Rhode Island 15,00019221922–1950svacant grass lot
Kennesaw State University Stadium Kennesaw State Owls Kennesaw, Georgia 8,31820102010–presentconverted to a multi-purpose stadium in 2015 after Kennesaw State University launched their football program
Lockhart Stadium Miami Fusion, Fort Lauderdale Strikers Fort Lauderdale, FL 17,41719591959–2019converted to a SSS in 1998 for the Miami Fusion's expansion year, torn down in 2019 to make way for Chase Stadium

Other countries

The Myyrmaki Football Stadium in Vantaa, Finland Myyrmaen jalkapallostadion.JPG
The Myyrmäki Football Stadium in Vantaa, Finland

The term "football-specific stadium" is sometimes used in countries where the sport is known as football rather than soccer, although the term is not common in countries where association football is the dominant sport and thus football-specific stadiums are quite common. The term tends to have a slightly different meaning in these countries, usually referring to a stadium without an athletics track surrounding the field. [11] [12] Some soccer stadiums in Europe are also used for other sports, including rugby, American football, and field hockey. The problem with oversized stadiums designed for another sport is particularly visible in European American football leagues and conflicts between teams sharing the stadium (a notable example are Eintracht Braunschweig and the Braunschweig Lions which share a stadium) and (often municipal) owners of the stadiums sometimes arise, leading to attempts at single sport-specific venues. [13]

The Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, South Australia Adelaide United FC vs. Sydney FC at Hindmarsh Stadium - April 2023.JPG
The Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, South Australia

In Australia the term has much the same meaning as that in the United States. The dominance of Australian rules football in the southern states means that unlike in New South Wales and Queensland, rectangular stadiums and grounds capable of hosting top level A-League soccer are rare. Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, South Australia is an example of such a soccer-specific stadium, being built in the 1960s and progressively updated, the vast majority of matches played there are soccer, with very rare Rugby League or Rugby Union games. The Wyndham City Stadium and Wyndham Regional Football Facility are also examples. Many of the lower tier state league clubs own their own venues which also qualify as soccer specific.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Was made soccer-specific following renovations in 2011. Previously used for football and baseball.
  2. ↑ Almost exclusively as a baseball park for over 60 years. However, since the Rowdies moved to the facility in 2011, it has been reconfigured to better host soccer.
  3. ↑ The stadium was originally built in 1983 for the Las Vegas Stars and Las Vegas 51s baseball team. It is currently being renovated into a soccer-specific stadium with baseball moved to Las Vegas Ballpark.

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References

  1. ↑ Sakiewicz, Edward Paul (2006). "Chapter I: Introduction". A Comparative Study of Enterprise Risk Management and Decision Making Criteria Used in Developing Soccer-specific Stadiums for Major League Soccer. Capella University. p. 24. ISBN   9780542914812 . Retrieved August 1, 2015– via Google Books.
  2. ↑ "Laws of the Game 2010/2011" (PDF). FIFA. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 4, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2010. Although the official Laws of the Game allow for pitches in adult matches to be 100–130 yards (90–120 m) long by 50–100 yards (45–90 m) wide. The more restrictive range is specified for international matches like the ones used in the FIFA World Cup.
  3. ↑ Fox Sports (September 10, 2014). "USWNT stars not backing down on artificial playing surface stance". FOX Sports. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  4. ↑ Andrews, Phil (December 31, 2005). "Philadelphia's Field of Dreams: MLS' Newest Home". Bleacher Report . Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  5. ↑ "M.L.S. Continues to Bolster Growing Brand With New Stadium in Houston". The New York Times . Associated Press. May 12, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  6. ↑ Schrotenboer, Brent (January 12, 2017). "Chargers plan to play in smallest 'NFL stadium' for next two seasons". USA Today . Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  7. ↑ Hastings, Rob (January 24, 2017). "Spurs are starting a stadium design revolution in Tottenham". iNews. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Arace, Michael (September 10, 2013). "Michael Arace commentary: Aging Crew Stadium still has a big advantage". The Columbus Dispatch . Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  9. ↑ Granillo, Larry (September 14, 2009). "Football, Baseball, and the Era of the "Superstadium"". Wezen-Ball. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  10. ↑ "BMO Field". The Stadium Guide. August 2, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Exclusive: We will beat Olympic Stadium claim Tottenham". insidethegames.biz. December 23, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Buenos Aires: Symbolic revamp at El Monumental". StadiumDB.com. September 10, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Luxembourg: Only stadium with running track to be demolished?". StadiumDB.com. November 21, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
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