Austin FC will break ground on its new stadium September 5, marking a major step in the push for a 2021 opening.
Set to begin play in 2021 as MLS‘s 27th team, Austin FC is an expansion club backed by Anthony Precourt‘s Two Oak Ventures. The team will play home matches at an upcoming $242 million, privately financed stadium that will be constructed at the city-owned McKalla Place in North Austin.
After recently winning some key approvals, Austin FC announced Wednesday that it has scheduled a stadium groundbreaking ceremony for Thursday, September 5–with Precourt, Austin mayor Steve Adler, and MLS commissioner Don Garber among those expected to be in attendance. Project officials are currently pushing for an April 2021 opening for the stadium. More from the Austin Business Journal:
Austin Business Journal first reported earlier this week that Austin FC had gained site plan approval for grading and erosion control work at the stadium site. More administrative approvals are needed before vertical construction can begin but team officials said Aug. 21 their plans are “full speed ahead.”
Austin FC President Andy Loughnane said the groundbreaking will “amplify that this is moving forward” to average Austin residents who haven’t necessarily followed every twist and turn of Austin’s pursuit of MLS.
“Shovels are in the ground … and we’ll be open for business roughly 18 months thereafter,” he said. “This helps everybody else understand where we are, in terms of our timetables.”
The development team, which includes construction manager Austin Commercial and project manager CAA ICON, is targeting April 2021 for an opening. With MLS seasons beginning in March, Austin FC’s first games as a club may be on the road.
Austin FC is part of a wave of MLS expansion teams that are slated to launch over the coming seasons. Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC are set grow the league to 26 clubs when they begin play next year, with Austin FC following in 2021, and a newly announced St. Louis squad expected to begin play in 2022.
Stadium rendering courtesy Gensler.
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