The 2019 MLS season is right around the corner, and the buildup to it has been filled with news of growth: new MLS teams, new exciting young players and the new kits they’ll be wearing.
Mixed with the old and the new of MLS is the stadia. In MLS, a good portion of the league's teams now have their own soccer-specific stadiums. Some clubs are currently going through the process of building a stadium, some are renovating and others are still waiting to leave their baseball fields behind.
Here’s a roundup of new stadiums coming to MLS this year and a few years down the road.
New MLS Stadiums
Minnesota United FC - Allianz Field
Capacity: 19,400
Opens: 2019 Season
the snow really ties the room together... pic.twitter.com/HvWB38b8rb
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) February 7, 2019
Allianz Field is a welcome addition to MLS after Minnesota spent two seasons playing on turf at TCF Bank. Say goodbye to those ugly football lines and say hello to snow damaged grass! The stadium is really lovely, and even comes with that signature light show that Allianz does with all of its stadiums.
D.C. United - Audi Field
Capacity: 20,000
Opens: July 9th, 2018
Thankful for our beautiful home, in the heart of this great city. #HappyThanksgiving! pic.twitter.com/Da2p7OYCM7
— Audi Field (@AudiField) November 22, 2018
Even though Audi Field was open last season, this is the first full season that D.C United will be able to play at a real soccer stadium. It's pretty good looking, but still reinforces the American habit of (one) having a (partially) open end on one side of the stadium and (two) not having roofing over the entire stadium. Nonetheless, this is a massive upgrade from playing in moldy RFK.
FC Cincinnati - West End Stadium
Capacity: 26,000
Opens: March 2021
FC Cincinnati Stadium Zoning Vote Delayed https://t.co/LV6pl2hrGU pic.twitter.com/vs8JscERp9
— Whitecap Sports (@whitecapsports) February 14, 2019
FC Cincinnati had been a frontrunner for MLS expansion for quite some time. With a comprehensive plan for a new West End Stadium, Cincinnati already broke ground in December of last year. Until then, the club will continue playing its home games at Nippert Stadium.
Columbus Crew SC - Crew Stadium
Capacity: 20,000
Opens: ?
In an effort to #SaveTheCrew, the new owners of Columbus, The Haslams, released plans to build a new stadium for the Crew in the Arena District of Downtown Columbus. The stadium would have capacity of 20,000 and would be a welcome change to the high school football stadium/concert venue that is Mapfre stadium. There's still no news yet whether or not the city of Columbus will build it.
Austin FC - Austin Stadium
Capacity: 20,000
Open: 2020/2021
Austin FC is going to be the new most-hated team in MLS according to fans (Anthony Precourt), and it seems like it will have a cool stadium to boot. With a full roof and an open air exposure behind the stands, the stadium is easy on the eye. Whether or not the stadium actually fills is another story.
Nashville SC - Nashville Fairgrounds Stadium
Capacity: 27,500
Open: ?
For those arguing Nash hasn't "proven itself", neither had Atlanta, which set attendance rec. MLS believes right owners/stadium will draw fans. And of 4 finalists, MLS thinks Nashville has best combo (Ingram and Wilfs + great stadium deal). So they're in. https://t.co/XvCntJihKu
— (@BrianStraus) December 19, 2017
Nashville recently unveiled its new stadium plans a few months ago, and just yesterday revealed an interesting new crest. The club has dealt with problems from the city in recent weeks, and apparently is facing a lawsuit from the Nashville Fairgrounds over the stadium building site. Other than that, it will be a larger stadium than most in the league and it looks decent too.
New York City FC - Harlem/Queens/Pier 40/Trenton New Jersey Stadium
Capacity: 26,000
Open: 2050-2070?
New York City FC doesn’t seem like it’s gonna leave Yankee Stadium anytime soon, and in the meantime will be the butt of jokes for years to come. Still, at least it’s not the New England Revolution. But building in New York City has proven to be a very difficult task, especially for the the Red Bulls, who play in New Jersey. With all the power and oil money that City Football Group has, it shouldn’t be that hard to make it work, right?
Inter Miami CF - Inter Miami Stadium
Capacity: 25,000
Open: ?
David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF plans to build its stadium near the Miami waterfront. After being approved by the City commissioners, the stadium site has to go to another vote soon. The stadium itself screams Miami exuberance, and it comes complete with a weird roof! Truly a stadium befitting one Antoine Griezmann.
Portland Timbers- Providence Park
Capacity: 25,000
Open: May 2019
Providence Park is getting a much-needed facelift that should be completed before the summer months of the MLS season. Really, that entire stadium could use a renovation, but for now. just one stand will have to do.
In fact, this is the second reconstruction of the east stand in ten years due to demands for tickets. Portland has no trouble gathering fans, and it seems like the rest of the stadium will be overhauled in the future if this keeps up. The owner of the Portland Timbers also wants to move from turf to grass next season.
The18 Recommends For You
