Sporting Club Jacksonville, colloquially referred to as Sporting JAX, is a professional soccer club based in Jacksonville, Florida. The club is set to debut in the USL Super League in 2025.
A USL Championship franchise in Jacksonville was announced on August 30, 2022, led by venture capitalist Ricky Caplin and former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow. The group partnered with Florida Elite Soccer Academy, rebranding it as the Sporting JAX Soccer Academy, to form a full development pathway.[1][2][3]
In May 2023, the JAXUSL group was awarded a conditional franchise in the USL Super League, pending completion of a soccer-specific stadium project.[4][5]
On June 17, 2025, the club announced the appointment of Mat Cosgriff as goalkeeper coach. Cosgriff previously served as associate head coach of the SMU Mustangs women's soccer team.[15]
Player signings began on May 21, 2025, with defender Georgia Brown and midfielder/forward Ashlyn Puerta becoming the first additions to the inaugural roster. The move marked the club’s initial step in shaping a competitive and community-focused team for its debut USL Super League season.[16]
Sporting JAX is set to begin play in the 2025–26 USL Super League season. The team opened its first preseason training camp in July 2025 and will host a series of preseason matches, including international friendlies, in preparation for its competitive debut. The club will play home games at Hodges Stadium during its inaugural campaign, with the season set to kick off on August 23, 2025, against DC Power FC.
On July 24, 2025, one month before the season began, Sporting JAX announced that 6,000 season tickets had been sold, representing ~64% of Hodges Stadium's capacity. As a result, the team moved up the release date for single-game ticket sales to the same day.[17]
Jade Pennock scored the first goal in Sporting JAX's history during the club's inaugural match against DC Power FC. Despite the milestone, Sporting JAX lost the season opener 3–1. The club reported total ticket sales for the match at 9,783.[18] The goal held the record for the fastest in USL Super League history for one week, until Maddie Mercado scored in the first minute for Carolina Ascent FC against Fort Lauderdale United FC on August 30, 2025.[19]
In the club's second match on August 30, 2025, Ashlyn Puerta scored the team's first brace in a 3–2 victory over Tampa Bay Sun FC, earning Sporting JAX their first win.[20] She would go on to score the club's first Hat-trick on September 28, 2025, in a 4–3 victory over Carolina Ascent FC.[21]
For her outstanding performances in September 2025, Ashlyn Puerta was named Gainbridge Super League Player of the Month—marking the first time a player from the club has received this honor.[22] Puerta, along with teammate Julia Lester, was also named to the Gainbridge Super League Team of the Month for September.[23]
Sporting JAX will also field a men’s professional team in the USL Championship, slated to debut in 2026. The men’s and women’s programs share the same front office and sporting leadership, under Sporting Director Mark Warburton.
Until the completion of their permanent home venue, Sporting JAX will play its home matches at Hodges Stadium on the campus of the University of North Florida. The stadium, which seats approximately 9,400 spectators, will serve as the club's temporary home beginning with its inaugural USL Super League season in 2025. The stadium's capacity can reach 12,000.
The club has announced plans to construct a new soccer-specific stadium in Jacksonville, with a target opening date in 2026 or 2027, subject to final approvals and construction timelines. The new facility is expected to accommodate approximately 15,000 spectators and serve as the long-term home for both the men's and women's teams.[28][29][30]
On September 10, 2025, in a press release, it was announced that Orlando-based Momentous Sports, a private investment firm involved in sports and real estate development, is supporting the development of a mixed-use district surrounding a proposed Sporting JAX stadium, which is planned to include residential, retail, and community spaces. Its investor group includes former professional athletes such as John Elway, Blake Bortles, and Sporting JAX co-owner Tim Tebow, as well as business figures including Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy.[31]
As of September 17, 2025, Zoe Haugen, president of Haugen Holdings—the public relations and marketing firm representing the club—confirmed that a previously reported site at the former Sears space in Regency Square Mall was no longer under consideration for the stadium location.[32]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Sporting JAX unveiled its inaugural home kit for the 2025–26 season during a public launch event and Fan Fest at Friendship Fountain on May 13, 2025. Designed in collaboration with Adidas, the kit features a custom light blue jersey with bold orange three-stripe detailing across the shoulders. The launch marked a major milestone for the club as it enters USL competition and aimed to unify its professional, pre-professional, and academy teams under a single visual identity.
The home kit will be worn across all Sporting JAX teams, including those in USL League Two, USL W League, and the Sporting JAX Soccer Academy. The event also showcased goalkeeper kits, alternate and youth academy kits, as well as training wear and equipment. Players from the club's men's and women’s pre-professional teams modeled the kits, with the event drawing hundreds of fans and featuring appearances from club executives, coaching staff, and adidas representatives.[34]
In July 2025, Sporting JAX announced a landmark multi-year partnership with AscensionSt. Vincent’s, replacing Caplin Ventures as the front-of-jersey sponsor. The Jacksonville-based healthcare provider became the club’s first Founding Partner, sponsoring the women’s team and its 10,000-player youth academy. The deal includes comprehensive healthcare services for athletes, community outreach initiatives, and prominent branding at Hodges Stadium and across broadcast and digital platforms through the 2025 and 2026 seasons.[35]
Media
Sporting JAX maintains a growing presence in local media through strategic partnerships with television, radio, and digital platforms in the Jacksonville area. These outlets provide fans with comprehensive coverage of Sporting JAX, the USL Championship, the USL Super League, and global soccer news.
In addition to traditional media coverage, the club produces a podcast titled, The Sporting Pod, hosted by Cole Pepper and featuring regular appearances from team officials and players. It's available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Emerson Burris serves as the club’s official team reporter.
On April 25, 2025, Sporting JAX expanded its outreach by partnering with Norsan Media to deliver Spanish-language broadcasts. As the club’s exclusive Spanish-language media partner, Norsan Media offers coverage via La Raza 92.9 FM, Kaliente 94.1 FM, and Hola News, aiming to engage and grow the local Hispanic fan base.[39]
Broadcast and Streaming
USL Super League matches, including those of Sporting JAX, are streamed exclusively on Peacock as part of the league’s national media rights agreement with NBCUniversal.[40]
In addition to national streaming, Sporting JAX secured a local broadcast deal with First Coast News (WTLV/WJXX) and News4Jax (WJXT), providing regional over-the-air coverage of most home matches. The agreement aims to enhance the club’s visibility and fan engagement across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.[41]
Mascot
Inflatable T-Rex costumes worn during games and events.
Rex, a 20-foot-tall T-Rex statue, is the official mascot of Sporting JAX and was unveiled in April 2025. It is an iconic local landmark located on Beach Boulevard.
The mascot features a steel frame covered with stucco, glowing red eyes, and a fierce jaw. He debuted during the club’s inaugural season in August 2025.
Rex embodies the club’s connection to the Jacksonville community and its local culture, appearing prominently at games and community events through inflatable T-Rex costumes. Fans often participate in “Dino Dashes,” races held during matches in which they wear the suits, similar in spirit to the popular T-Rex races held elsewhere.[42]
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