Weidner Field

Last updated
Weidner Field
Home of the Switchbacks
Weidner-Field-June-2021.jpg
Weidner Field from Sierra Madre.jpg
Weidner Field, June 2021
Weidner Field
Location111 W. Cimarron St.,
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coordinates 38°49′35″N104°49′41″W / 38.826363°N 104.828191°W / 38.826363; -104.828191
Elevation6,035 Feet
OperatorSwitchbacks Entertainment
Capacity 8,000
SurfaceSynthetic Turf with Corkonut Infill
Construction
Broke groundDecember 7, 2019 [1]
OpenedApril 24, 2021
Construction cost $42,000,000
ArchitectPerkins&Will Architects
Tenants
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC) (2021–present)
Website
https://www.weidnerfield.com/

Weidner Field is an 8,000 capacity soccer-specific stadium located in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. Having opened on April 24, 2021, it is home to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC who compete in the second level of U.S. men's professional soccer, the USL Championship. Sitting at an altitude of roughly 6,035 feet (1,839 m) above sea level, the facility has the highest elevation of any stadium used by a professional team in the American soccer pyramid. [2]

Contents

While designed for soccer, the stadium is capable of hosting other types of events, such as concerts, being able to reach a capacity as high as 15,000. [3] [4] The stadium replaces former Weidner Field, now known as Martin 'Ed' Ragain Field, a smaller venue in the east of the city.

Development

The stadium was part of a collection of projects led by the City of Colorado Springs known as City for Champions including the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Ed Robson Arena, William J Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center, and Air Force Academy Visitor Center. Weidner Field was designed to energize the downtown area, spur adjacent real estate investment, increase tourism, and bring a sprawling community together. Plans for the new stadium were officially unveiled in July 2018. [3] Design details were revealed in July 2019, and the ceremonial groundbreaking took place that December. [1]

Naming rights are held by Weidner Apartment Homes, an owner in the Club [3] and sponsored the naming rights for the former stadium. The "Weidner Field" name was officially transferred from the old stadium to the new venue on October 15, 2020. [5]

Amenities

The stadium includes many unique elements, including a supporters section behind the south endline called "Base Camp," [6] VIP suites, and a video board. [7]

The most iconic feature of the stadium is the statue of Saturn that symbolizes the city's nickname as the Olympic City. [8] Titled "The Epicenter" and costing $4.5 million to construct, [9] the statue weighs around 64,000 pounds, and is 35-foot tall, 65-foot in diameter, and constructed with stainless steel. [10] It's located near the main entrance, and lights up at night with LEDs. [11]

In addition, Weidner Field has one of the first turf fields approved by FIFA. Constructed at a cost of $750,000, the field was the first turf field that had corkonut infill to be approved in the world for professional soccer use. [12]

Other than parking, the ZEB bus shuttle has a stop that allows fans access to the stadium via public transportation.

Events

Soccer

The stadium is has been the home of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the USL Championship since the 2021 USL Championship season. The first soccer-related event at the stadium was an exhibition match against Orange County SC, in front of a reduced capacity of 2,000 due to COVID restrictions. [13] The first player to score in the stadium's professional history was Hadji Barry, who scored five minutes in what resulted in a 2-2 draw. [14]

Other than professional soccer matches, the stadium also hosts both regional and state-level high school soccer competitions. [15]

Major competitions

In December 2021, Weidner Field held host to the 2021 NCAA Division II men's soccer tournament. [16]

On November 23, 2024, Weidner Field will host the 2024 USL Championship final, where the Switchbacks will play against Rhode Island FC. [17] [18]

Concerts

Weidner Field has a capacity of 15,000 for concerts. The stadium's first concert event was in May 27, 2021, a Latin music festival, followed the next day by a concert that included Justin Moore and Chris Janson. [19] [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USL Championship</span> Professional soccer league in the United States

The USL Championship (USLC) is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began play in 2011. The USL is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) as a Division II league since 2017, placing it under Major League Soccer in the hierarchy. The USL is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highmark Stadium (Pennsylvania)</span> Soccer stadium in Pennsylvania, U.S.

Highmark Stadium is a 5,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Pittsburgh's Station Square which is home to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC of the USL Championship and the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds of the American Ultimate Disc League. The stadium was also home to the Pittsburgh Rebellion women's football team for 2017. Three local colleges use the stadium for soccer, lacrosse and rugby, and six different local high schools will use the field for soccer and lacrosse. The $10.2 million project began with the demolishing and excavating of the former Trib Total Media Amphitheatre, building foundations for the scoreboard, light poles and grading foundations for the grandstands as well as the installation of underground utilities. The field surface is FIFA 2-star certified artificial turf, the highest rating that an artificial surface can achieve, one of only six fields in the country to earn that rating. Other fields to earn this rating in the United States include: Providence Park, CenturyLink Field, and Gillette Stadium, all of which house Major League Soccer franchises.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC</span> American soccer team

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC is a professional soccer team based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 2014, the team is a member of the USL Championship, the second tier of the American soccer pyramid. The franchise is owned by Martin E. Ragain and Dean Weidner. The franchise is operated by the Ragain family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heart Health Park</span> Sports venue in Sacramento, California

Heart Health Park is a sports venue located on the grounds of Cal Expo in Sacramento, California, United States. The soccer-specific stadium has a capacity of 11,569 and includes a full-sized soccer field. Heart Health Park is the current home of Sacramento Republic FC soccer team and former home of PRO Rugby team, Sacramento Express.

"Martin 'Ed' Ragain Field" is a 5,000-seat soccer-specific stadium built in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At an altitude of roughly 6,600 feet above sea-level, the stadium had the highest elevation of any primary home stadium used by a professional team in the American soccer pyramid through the 2020 season. The stadium is immediately adjacent to UCHealth Park.

The Western Conference is one of two conferences in USL Championship soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aidan Daniels</span> Canadian professional soccer player

Aidan Jun Valcarcel Daniels is a Canadian professional soccer player who currently plays for the HFX Wanderers of the Canadian Premier League.

The 2017 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC season was the club's third year of existence, and their third season in the Western Conference of the United Soccer League, the second tier of the United States Soccer Pyramid. On February 14, 2017 the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC officially announced Weidner Apartment Homes had acquired the naming rights to the Switchbacks Stadium which has been rebranded as "Weidner Field". The team's mascot is Ziggy, who is a mountain goat.

Desire Pascal Eboussi Mekongo is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Pierikos.

Wahab Ackwei is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a defender for USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive.

Colorado Pride Switchbacks U23 is an American soccer club competing in USL League Two. It is a U-23 / developmental team operated jointly by Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the USL Championship and Pride Soccer Club academy, founded in 1994.

Zachary Zandi is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the USL Championship.

Abraham Rodriguez is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper.

The 2020 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC season was the club's sixth year of existence, and their sixth season in the Western Conference of the USL Championship, the second tier of the United States soccer league system.

The 2021 New Mexico United season was the third season for New Mexico United in the USL Championship, the second-tier professional soccer league in the United States. This article covers the period from November 1, 2020, the day after the cancellation of the 2020 USL playoff final, to the conclusion of the 2021 USL playoff final. The USL Championship 2021 season began on April 24, and New Mexico United played its first competitive match of the season on May 1.

The 2021 USL Championship season was the eleventh season of the USL Championship and the fifth season under Division II sanctioning. This was the third season under the name "USL Championship", having used the name "United Soccer League" through 2018. The 2021 season saw 31 teams participate in four divisions during the regular season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC</span> American association football club

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC is an American professional soccer team based in Windsor, Colorado. The club was founded in 2021, and made its competitive debut in 2022. The team is owned by the Katofsky family and the Future Legends ownership group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Louisville City FC season</span> Louisville City 2021 soccer season

The 2021 Louisville City FC season was the club's seventh season of competition. City competed in the USL Championship, the second tier of soccer in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capelli Sport</span> American sportswear company

Capelli Sport is an American sportswear and footwear company based in New York, United States. Founded in 2011 by Lebanese-American George Altirs, Capelli Sport also has locations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa under Capelli Europe GmbH, and in China under GMA Shanghai.

References

  1. 1 2 Skovira, Kristen (December 7, 2019). "Switchbacks FC break ground on Downtown Stadium". Colorado Springs, CO: KRDO-TV . Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  2. ↑ Snouwaert, Jessica (May 16, 2021). "4 facts about Weidner Field you probably did not know". The Gazette. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Spedden, Zach (July 26, 2018). "Plans Unveiled for New Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Stadium". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  4. ↑ Spedden, Zach (July 18, 2019). "New Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Stadium Design Details Emerge". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Colorado Springs Switchbacks Name Downtown Stadium Weidner Field" (Press release). Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. October 15, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  6. ↑ Murray, Nicholas (2023-08-08). "How Weidner Field has been a game-changer for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  7. ↑ Hancock, Amanda (2021-05-25). "New Weidner Field to serve as one of the biggest music venues in Colorado Springs". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  8. ↑ Snouwaert, Jessica (2021-05-16). "4 facts about Weidner Field you probably did not know". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  9. ↑ "The Epicenter at Weidner Field Home to the Switchbacks FC". WEIDNER FIELD. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  10. ↑ Heins, Nicole (2021-04-23). "Weidner Field unveils massive public art sculpture in Colorado Springs". KKTV. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  11. ↑ Mills, Valerie (2021-04-24). "Massive public art sculpture takes shape at Weidner Field". FOX21 News Colorado. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  12. ↑ Summers, Danny (2021-05-16). "Weidner Field's 'amazing' turf the first of its kind in the world". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  13. ↑ "Switchbacks FC first exhibition game, Weidner Field". KOAA News 5. 2021-04-25. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  14. ↑ "Match Review Archives - Page 7 of 25". Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  15. ↑ "Boys Soccer: State Finals Moved to Friday at Weidner Field, Saturday at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park". chsaanow.com. 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  16. ↑ Bridgewater-Jackman, Myles (2021-12-14). "Cal State LA men's soccer wins first national championship in program history". Cal State LA Newsroom. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  17. ↑ Gavato, James (2024-11-19). "Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC advance to USL Championship after win Saturday". KOAA News 5. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  18. ↑ Purslow, Ashley (2024-11-19). "Switchbacks Host USL Championship Final at Weidner Field". Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  19. ↑ Patrick, Shawn (2021-05-27). "Y96.9 and Switchbacks Entertainment Bring You Justin Moore and Chris Janson". Big 97.9. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  20. ↑ "Switchbacks Entertainment Hold First Concert Series in New Weidner Field in Downtown Colorado Springs". Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.