Jacksonville Armada FC has announced that they will play their 2017 home games at Hodges Stadium, an on-campus facility at the University of North Florida (UNF).
Prior to this move, the Armada played their home matches at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, which primarily serves as the home of Minor League Baseball’s Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. The change in facilities was announced on Monday.
Armada FC will rent Hodges Stadium, an IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) certified, Class II facility, to host 16 total Armada FC home games in the 2017 Fall and Spring NASL Seasons.
Members of the UNF Athletics Department have not been the only ones to use Hodges Stadium. Professional teams including the Philadelphia Eagles and the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team have used it as a practice facility. The NCAA Outdoor Track & Field East Preliminary was also hosted at the stadium in 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
The facility was initially built in 2004 and was then named after George and Kernan Hodges after they gifted UNF $2 million in 2006. Final stages of construction were completed in 2008 to include field lighting, installation of seating, and a finished press box. Today Hodges Stadium has a capacity of 9,400.
“Hodges Stadium is a fabulous soccer facility and will provide Armada FC fans an excellent game day experience,” said Armada FC senior vice president of operations Marshall Happer. “It has hosted many top events in its history and our team looks forward to hosting its fans at the new home venue. The stadium’s close location to our fan base will be an added bonus for the club.”
Image courtesy Jacksonville Armada FC.