 | |
| Full name | USL Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Founded | July 12, 2023 |
| Stadium | USL Arkansas Stadium (proposed) Rogers, Arkansas |
| Capacity | 5,000 |
| Founders | Chris Martinovic Warren Smith |
| League | USL Championship |
| Website | Club website |
USL Arkansas is an upcoming American professional soccer team based in Rogers, Arkansas. Founded in 2023, the club plans to have a men's team in the USL Championship before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and a women's team in the USL Super League debuting in late 2026.
On July 12, 2023, the USL awarded an expansion team to the city of Rogers, Arkansas that will represent the Northwest Arkansas region. [1] [2] [3] The ownership group consists of Chris Martinovic and Warren Smith.
The club plans to build a new, 5,000-seat stadium located in Rogers, just north of the Pinnacle Hills Promenade. On July 19, 2023, the City of Rogers officially approved the rezoning of the stadium site. [4] USL Arkansas is expected to buy the land through an agreement with Rogers philanthropist Johnelle Hunt, the landowner. [5]
A "Name the Team" campaign created by ownership to hear fan suggestions for team names and branding happened in October 2023. [6] The development of the club's name and branding identity will be led by Stone Ward, an advertising agency with offices in Rogers, Chicago, and Little Rock. [7]
On January 5, 2024, USL Arkansas announced the launch of a Founding Fans panel, a group of 36 fans who will "be instrumental in shaping the club’s defining elements – its name, crest, and logo, ensuring that every aspect resonates with the spirit and values of USL Arkansas’ supporters and community." [8]
Rogers is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. Located in the Ozarks, it is part of the Northwest Arkansas region, one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country. Rogers was the location of the first Walmart store, whose corporate headquarters is located in neighboring Bentonville. Daisy Outdoor Products, known for its air rifles, has both its headquarters and its Airgun Museum in Rogers. The city houses a popular shopping center, the Pinnacle Hills Promenade, and a music venue, the Walmart AMP, that has housed performances by big-name artists and local performers alike.
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