With MLS efforts on hold, we have a plan for a new Sacramento Republic FC stadium in downtown Sacramento, using much of the prep work done when the city was a leader in the MLS expansion front.
The proposal from Republic FC Owner and Chairman Kevin Nagle–a player in MLS efforts–calls for a 12,000-15,000-seat Sacramento Republic FC stadium in downtown’s Railyards district. The new stadium will be an anchor for a nearly $1 billion investment in The Railyards, doubling the size of Downtown and bringing new housing and mixed-use developments to Sacramento. Though there’s no timeline yet, the design allowed for construction on an accelerated timeline
But the MLS dreams are not entirely dead: a future proof design will allow the USL Championship stadium to be expanded to 20,000-plus seats.
As noted, the new Sacramento Republic FC stadium will anchor an investment nearing $1 billion dollars designed to accelerate development throughout The Railyards. The 242-acre district has sat dormant for over 50 years, and like the original vision for the MLS stadium, the new stadium will lead mixed-use, housing and retail development projects.
“We want to build a world-class soccer stadium in The Railyards, and to begin the next decade of Republic FC,” said Republic FC Owner and CEO Kevin Nagle via press release. “We’re ready with a new vision that allows us to take our destiny into our own hands, and to create a community asset that will grow with the team and city.”
“I’m grateful to Kevin Nagle for his partnership and his commitment to Sacramento. As a city, we are open to pursuing dual tracks,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg via press release. “We continue to identify and work with potential Major League Soccer investors, and at the same time we’re ready to work together on an adaptable stadium in the railyards. It’s not one or the other.”
The initial design is from MANICA Architecture and Machete Group, whose portfolio includes Allegiant Stadium, Chase Center, and TQL Stadium.
“Sacramento is an incredible market for soccer, and we’re excited to see how Republic FC can continue to impact the community with a world-class stadium,” said USL President Jake Edwards via press release. “The USL is in an exciting phase of strategic growth, and visionary development projects like the one Republic FC and the city of Sacramento are undertaking will elevate the game for fans and players in the United States for years to come.”
The development of a new Sacramento Republic FC stadium as part of a larger development strategy on brand for USL, a strategy explained by Justin Papadakis, USL’s Chief Operating Officer & Chief Real Estate Officer in this interview. We’re seeing several development-centric stadium proposals in the works on the USL Championship and USL League One fronts; this new Sacramento stadium fits right in.
Rendering courtesy Republic FC / MANICA Architecture.