Timeline of every new soccer stadium in MLS | MLSSoccer.com (2023)

When Columbus Crew's Lower.com Field plays host to the New England Revolution on Saturday (5 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes), it will mark the debut of the 22nd MLS stadium to have been built from the ground up, since Historic Crew Stadium became the league's first soccer-specific stadium in 1999.

Lower.com Field is also the third new stadium to debut in MLS in 2021, following on from fellow state-of-the art venues in FC Cincinnati's TQL Stadium and Austin FC's Q2 Stadium.

Here's a full timeline of new soccer venues that have popped up across North America over the last two decades.

Historic Crew Stadium

Opened May 1999

This is the grandfather of them all. The $28.5 million stadium hosted three MLS Cup finals and 10 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, including four "Dos a Cero" historic showdowns against Mexico. Home to the Crew for more than two decades, it will be home to the club's second team, Crew II. The club's new training facility is also nearby.

Dignity Health Sports Park

Opened June 2003

Located on the campus of Cal State-Dominguez in Carson, the 27,000-seat stadium is part of a $150 million multi-use sports complex that includes a tennis stadium, a track and field stadium and multiple training fields. After BMO Field's renovation, Dignity Health Sports Complex is the second-largest soccer-specific stadium in MLS. In addition to being home to the LA Galaxy for 18 years, the venue has hosted six MLS Cup finals and the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup final, among numerous international matches.

Toyota Stadium

Opened August 2005

Part of Frisco's rapid growth in the early 2000s, this $80 million stadium with a capacity of 20,500 fans has been FC Dallas' home since 2005. The venue also hosted the first of back-to-back MLS Cup finals that year, as well as the U.S. Open Cup final in 2016 (won by FC Dallas) and matches in three consecutive Concacaf Gold Cups from 2015 to 2019. Completed in 2018 as part of a $55 million renovation, the stadium is also home to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

SeatGeek Stadium

Opened June 2006

Built in a similar fashion to Toyota Stadium — a soccer-specific, but multi-use stadium in the suburbs — SeatGeek Stadium was the home of Chicago Fire FC until the club, under new ownership, moved back inside the city to Soldier Field in 2020. The 20,000-seat stadium, which cost $98 million, was home to the 2006 MLS All-Star Game, the 2006 U.S. Open Cup and, ironically, recent Canadian national team World Cup qualifiers due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The stadium is currently the home of the NWSL's Chicago Red Stars.

Dick's Sporting Goods Park

Opened April 2007

(Video) MLS Expansion Stadiums

The Colorado Rapids' current home is an 18,000-plus seat venue erected in Denver suburb Commerce City in 2007 at the cost of $64.5 million. At just over 5,200 feet above sea level, the venue has the highest elevation of any stadium regularly used by MLS teams. It hosted the 2007 MLS All-Star Game, in addition to a bevy of international matches, none more famous than the USMNT's 1-0 win over Costa Rica in a 2014 World Cup qualifier which earned the title of Snow Clasico.

Timeline of every new soccer stadium in MLS | MLSSoccer.com (1)

BMO Field

Opened April 2007

Unlike previous soccer-specific stadiums, BMO Field has been Toronto FC's only home since joining MLS as an expansion side in 2007. Located on the grounds of Exhibition Place, the stadium originally held 21,500, but the capacity expanded to 30,000 when an upper deck was added as part of major renovations from 2014-16. Home to three MLS Cup finals, as well as the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the 2008 MLS All-Star Game, the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and a historic first Concacaf Gold Cup match in Canada, BMO Field also serves as the home office for the Canadian men's national team.

Rio Tinto Stadium

Opened October 2008

The 20,000-plus seat stadium in the Salt Lake City suburb of Sandy opened in October 2008 at the cost of $110 million. With breathtaking views of the Wasatch Mountains, Rio Tinto Stadium is arguably the most picturesque soccer-specific stadium in MLS. The 2009 MLS All-Star Game, the second leg of the 2011 Concacaf Champions League final, the 2013 U.S. Open Cup final and the 2013 Concacaf Gold Cup, as well as numerous USMNT and USWNT matches, have been played at the RioT.

Red Bull Arena

Opened March 2010

This $200 million long-awaited cathedral, which opened its doors in March 2010 as part of a (still ongoing) redevelopment project in Harrison, N.J., is the third largest soccer-specific stadium in MLS. The venue hosted the 2011 MLS All-Star Game, several international soccer matches, including the Concacaf Gold Cup, and an ill-fated USMNT World Cup qualifying defeat to Costa Rica in 2017.

Subaru Park

Opened June 2010

On the Delaware River waterfront with spectacular views of the Commodore Barry Bridge, Subaru Park opened for business in 2010 as the epicenter of the Chester economic revitalization project. The 18,500-seat stadium, which cost $120 million to construct, was home to the 2012 MLS All-Star Game. Last year, the Philadelphia Union won the Supporters' Shield at this iconic venue.

(Video) Major League Soccer(MLS) - 2023 Stadiums

Children's Mercy Park

Opened June 2011

Located near Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Children's Mercy Park has been Sporting Kansas City's home since June 2011. Although the seating capacity for soccer matches is 18,467, the stadium, which cost $200 million, regularly draws crowds of more than 20,000 for SKC matches. It has the distinction of being the only stadium to host the MLS All-Star Game, a USMNT match and MLS Cup in the same year, a feat achieved in 2013.

Timeline of every new soccer stadium in MLS | MLSSoccer.com (2)

BBVA Stadium

Opened May 2012

Houston Dynamo FC moved from Robertson Stadium to their new downtown home in May 2012. The 22,000-seat stadium, which cost $95 million to build, was designed by Populous, which also built Minute Maid Park and NRG Stadium in Houston, as well as Wembley Stadium and Emirates Stadium in London and Dublin's Aviva Stadium.

Stade Saputo

Opened June 2012

On the grounds of Olympic Park next to Stade Olympique, Stade Saputo opened in 2008 and hosted its first MLS game when CF Montréal joined the league as a 2012 expansion side. Originally costing $13.7 million to build, a $23 million renovation expanded capacity to 20,000 ahead of the club's expansion season.

PayPal Park

Opened March 2015

Located west of the San Jose International Airport, the new home of the San Jose Earthquakes opened in 2015. The venue cost $100 million to build and seats 18,000, plus houses the largest outdoor bar in North America. The venue hosted the 2016 MLS All-Star Game and has hosted both the US men's and women's national teams.

Exploria Stadium

Opened March 2017

(Video) MLS Stadiums Then and Now

The $155 million home of Orlando City opened in Orlando's Paramore neighborhood in 2017. The Lions' home seats 25,500 and is the first stadium to host MLS, NWSL, and USL teams at the same time. It has hosted the US national teams, as well as the NWSL championship match in 2017, the MLS All-Star Game in 2019 and the bubble tournament that concluded the 2020 Concacaf Champions League.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Opened September 2017

The official replacement of the Georgia Dome opened in 2017, in the middle of Atlanta United's inaugural MLS season. The $1.6 billion venue hosts 42,500 for soccer and is expandable to 71,000. The venue hosted the MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup in 2018, then hosted Super Bowl LIII the next year.

Banc of California Stadium

Opened April 2018

Los Angeles' first open air stadium since 1962 opened in 2018 during LAFC's inaugural MLS season. The $350 million stadium is located in Los Angeles' Exposition Park neighborhood and seats 22,000. The venue has hosted the US women's national team and a match during the 2019 Gold Cup.

Timeline of every new soccer stadium in MLS | MLSSoccer.com (3)

Audi Field

Opened July 2018

D.C. United's long-awaited soccer-specific home finally became a reality in 2018, as Audi Field opened in Washington, D.C.'s Buzzard Point. The stadium cost $400 million to $500 million to build and seats 20,000. Audi Field has hosted the US men's national team and a Concacaf Nations League match in 2019.

Allianz Field

Opened April 2019

(Video) Major League Soccer 2022 Stadiums

Minnesota United's home in Saint Paul opened in 2019 and seats 19,400. The $200 million stadium was designed by Populous, which has built a number of sporting venues in Minnesota – as well as Houston's BBVA Stadium. The venue hosted two matches during the 2019 Gold Cup and has also hosted the USWNT.

DRV PNK Stadium

Opened August 2020

Though the COVID-19 pandemic delayed DRV PNK Stadium's opening, the stadium still hosted Inter Miami home matches during their inaugural MLS season. The $60 million venue in Ft. Lauderdale seats 18,000 and serves as the primary headquarters for both Inter Miami and the club's academy. The stadium has hosted the USMNT and the qualification tournament for the 2021 Gold Cup.

TQL Stadium

Opened May 2021

Kicking off a big year of soccer-specific venues in MLS, FC Cincinnati's home opened in the city's West End neighborhood. The stadium seats 26,000 and cost $250 million to build.

Q2 Stadium

Opened June 2021

MLS' newest club has a brand new stadium to go with it, with Q2 Stadium opening in time for Austin FC's inaugural season. The $260 million venue seats 20,738 and marked its opening by hosting the USWNT. Later this summer it'll host a 2021 Gold Cup semifinal.

Timeline of every new soccer stadium in MLS | MLSSoccer.com (4)

Lower.com Field

Opened July 2021

The club responsible for MLS' first soccer-specific stadium will now have the league's latest home, with the Crew set to move in this summer. The $314 million stadium is located at the center of Columbus' Astor Park development and seats 20,011.

New England Revolution

FAQs

What is the oldest stadium in MLS? ›

Providence Park is currently the oldest facility to be configured as a soccer-specific stadium for use by a MLS team, and is one of the most historic grounds used by any United States professional soccer team.

How many soccer-specific stadiums in MLS? ›

Major League Soccer (MLS) is the premier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The league has 29 teams in 29 stadiums as of the 2023 season: 26 in the United States and 3 in Canada.

What are the New MLS teams for 2023? ›

They are: Austin FC, Orlando City SC, LAFC, Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

What are the new MLS teams for 2025? ›

Cleveland, Ohio will launch a new team that plans to begin play in 2025, joining Rochester New York FC and the recently established Carolina Core FC as independent teams within MLS NEXT Pro, contingent upon U.S. Soccer Federation sanctioning.

What were the 10 original MLS teams? ›

However, MLS announced in November 1994 that it would delay its launch until 1996 and began with ten teams: Columbus Crew, D.C. United, New England Revolution, NY/NJ MetroStars, Tampa Bay Mutiny, Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn, Kansas City Wiz, Los Angeles Galaxy, and San Jose Clash.

What is the smallest field in MLS? ›

Instead, there is a range of acceptable widths and lengths. The ranges allowed under the laws of the Game are very broad, but MLS standards require a size of no less than 110 yards long by 70 yards wide.

Is MLS bigger than NHL? ›

In terms of broadcast hours, the MLS exceeds the NHL despite having less teams and less games played per season.

Is MLS bigger than MLB? ›

According to a survey from Sports Betting, the National Football League is the most popular competition in the United States followed by the MLB, NBA, NHL and in fifth place is the MLS.

What MLS teams don't have their own stadium? ›

Not all MLS clubs play in stadiums built specifically for soccer. Atlanta United, Charlotte FC, Chicago Fire FC, New England Revolution, Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps all play in larger venues built for American or Canadian football.

Who has the biggest soccer stadium in MLS? ›

1. Mercedes-Benz Stadium - 71,000 Capacity.

What is the oldest soccer stadium? ›

The oldest football ground is Sandygate, owned by Hallam FC in Sheffield. The first competitive game played at the ground was against Sheffield Football Club on 26 Dec 1860.

Who has the oldest soccer stadium? ›

The oldest international football ground still in use is the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales, United Kingdom.

What is the oldest active football stadium? ›

Soldier Field in Chicago, home of the Chicago Bears is the oldest stadium in the league having opened in 1924. The stadium that has been used the longest by an NFL team is Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers since 1957.

What is the oldest college football stadium still in use? ›

Franklin Field (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — 1895

It is the oldest college football stadium in the U.S., the site of the first game to be broadcast on radio in 1922. In addition to hosting countless Penn Quakers games, it was the site of 18 Army-Navy games.

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