List of Major League Soccer stadiums explained
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; a 30th team is planned to enter in 2025. At the time of the league's inauguration in 1996, MLS teams used multi-purpose stadiums, often shared with National Football League (NFL) or college football teams. Because of lower attendance, these stadiums had rows of seats covered in tarps to limit capacity. Starting in 1999 with the Columbus Crew's construction of Historic Crew Stadium, the league has constructed soccer-specific stadiums which are tailor-made for soccer and which have smaller capacity. Today, the majority of MLS stadiums are soccer-specific stadiums. While the league's early stadiums relied heavily on public financing, several modern soccer-specific stadiums have been majority-funded by clubs and their owners.[1]
The league's soccer-specific stadiums, with the exception of Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, have grass playing surfaces. The remaining stadiums with artificial turf surfaces are mostly used by teams sharing their venues with other sports, including American football.[2] Pitch sizes range from a width of 70yd used by New York City FC at Yankee Stadium and the Houston Dynamo at Shell Energy Stadium, to used by the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park.[3]
As with the other major North American sports leagues, the majority of MLS stadiums have sold their naming rights to corporations. BC Place, Citypark, Soldier Field, and Yankee Stadium are the only current MLS stadiums without a corporate-sponsored name. Citypark is a temporary placeholder name while St. Louis City SC seeks a new stadium naming rights sponsor.[4]
Stadiums
The following is a list of current primary MLS stadiums.
class=unsortable | Image ! | Stadium | Team | Location | First MLS year in stadium | Capacity | Opened | Surface | Field dimensions | class=unsortable | Coordinates ! | Roof type | Soccer specific | class=unsortable | Ref(s) |
---|
| | | | 2019 | 19,400 | 2019 | Grass | | | Open | Yes | [5] |
| | | | 2008 | 20,213 | 2008 | Grass | | 40.5829°N -111.8932°W | Open | Yes | [6] |
align=center | | | | | 2018 | 20,000[7] | 2018 | Grass | | | Open | Yes | [8] |
| | | | 2022 | 38,000 (74,867) | 1996 | | TBA | 35.2258°N -80.8528°W | Open | No | [9] |
| | | Vancouver, British Columbia | 2011 | 22,120 (54,500) | 1983 | | | 49.2767°N -123.1119°W | Retractable | No | [10] [11] |
| | | | 2007 | | 30,991 | 2007 | Hybrid grass (SISGrass) | | 43.6328°N -79.4186°W | Open | Yes | [12] |
align=center | | | | | 2018 | 22,000 | 2018 | Grass | | 34.0131°N -118.285°W | Open | Yes | [13] |
| | | | 2020 | 21,550 | 2020 | Grass | | 26.1931°N -80.1611°W | Open | Yes | [14] |
| | | | 2011 | 18,467 | 2011 | Grass | | 39.1218°N -94.8237°W | Open | Yes | [15] |
| | | | 2023 | 22,500 | 2022 | Grass | | | Open | Yes | [16] [17] |
| | | | 2007 | 18,061 | 2007 | Grass | | 39.8056°N -104.8919°W | Open | Yes | [18] |
| | Los Angeles Galaxy | | 2003 | 27,000 | 2003 | Grass | | | Open | Yes | [19] |
| | | | 2002 | 20,000 (65,878) | 2002 | | | 42.0909°N -71.2643°W | Open | No | [20] |
| | | | 2022 | 30,000 | 2022 | Grass | | | Open | Yes | |
| | | | 2017 | 25,500 | 2017 | Grass | | | Open | Yes | [21] |
| | | | 2021 | 20,371 | 2021 | Grass | | 39.9685°N -83.0171°W | Open | Yes | [22] |
| | | Seattle, Washington | 2009 | 37,722 (68,740) | 2002 | | | | Open | No | [23] [24] |
| | | | 2017 | 42,500 (71,000) | 2017 | FieldTurf | | | Retractable | No | [25] |
align=center | | | | | 2015 | 18,000 | 2015 | SISGrass (Hybrid) | | 37.3514°N -121.925°W | Open | Yes | [26] |
| | | | 2011 | 25,218 | 1926 | | | 45.5214°N -122.6917°W | Open | Yes | [27] [28] |
| | | | 2021 | 20,738 | 2021 | Grass | | 30.3882°N -97.7199°W | Open | Yes | [29] |
| | | | 2010 | 25,000 | 2010 | Grass | | 40.7367°N -74.1503°W | Open | Yes | [30] |
| Saputo Stadium< | -- This is the English-language Wikipedia and the stadium is called Saputo Stadium in English --> | | | 2012 | 19,619 | 2008 | Grass | | 45.5631°N -73.5525°W | Open | Yes | [31] |
---|
align=center | | | | | 2012 | 22,039 | 2012 | Grass | | | Open | Yes | [32] [33] [34] |
| | | | 1998 | 24,955 (61,500) | 1924 | Grass | | | Open | No | [35] |
| | | | 2010 | 18,500 | 2010 | Grass | | | Open | Yes | [36] |
| | | | 2005 | 19,096 | 2005 | Grass | | | Open | Yes | [37] [38] |
| | | | 2021 | 26,000 | 2021 | Hybrid grass | | | Open | Yes | [39] |
| | | | 2015 | 30,321 (47,309) | 2009 | Grass | | | Open | No | [40] | |
Future stadiums
The following is a table of future MLS stadiums that are undergoing construction, have been approved for construction, or are existing venues that are planned to be used by a future team.
The New England Revolution have reportedly been in negotiations over a potential site in Everett, Massachusetts.[41]
Former stadiums
The following is a list of former MLS stadiums.
class=unsortable | Image ! | Stadium | Franchise(s) | Location | Used for MLS | Capacity | Opened | Surface | class=unsortable | Ref(s) |
---|
| | | | 1996–2007, 2024 | 20,269 (79,451) | 1972 | Grass | |
| | | | 2017 | 55,000 | 1913 | Grass | align=center | |
| | | | 2008–2014 | 10,525 | 1962 | Grass | align=center | [47] |
| | | | 2015–2016 | 19,500 (65,438) | 1936 | | align=center | [48] |
| | | | 2002–2003 | 15,000 | 1999 | FieldTurf | |
| | | | 2008–2010 | 10,385 | 2003 | Grass | |
| | | | 1996–2002, 2004–2005 | 25,425 (92,100) | 1932 | Grass | |
| | | | 2003 | 11,000 | 2001 | | |
| | | | 2011 | 20,500 | 2010 | | [49] |
| | | | 1996–2001 | 24,871 (60,292) | 1971 | Grass | |
| | | | 1996–2009 | 25,576 (78,148) | 1976 | Grass; AstroTurf; FieldTurf | |
| | | | 1999–2021 | 19,968 | 1999 | Grass | [50] [51] |
| | | | 2002–2006 | 17,500 (76,125) | 2001 | Grass | |
| | | | 1996–2001 | 17,500 (76,273) | 1948 | Grass | |
| | | | 2018 | 34,000 | 1959 | FieldTurf | [52] |
| | | | 2019–2021 | 32,250 (40,000) | 1915 | Act Global UBU Sports Speed M6-M | [53] |
| | | | 2020–2021 | N/A (69,143) | 1999 | Grass |
| | | | 2008–2009 | 47,416 (63,132) | 1966 | Grass | |
| | | | 1996–1998 | 25,243 (104,944) | 1922 | Grass | [54] [55] [56] |
| | | | 1996–2017 | 20,000 (45,596) | 1961 | Grass | [57] |
| | | | 2005–2008 | 24,521 (45,634) | 1927 | FieldTurf | |
| | | | 2006–2011 | 25,462 (32,000) | 1941 | Grass | |
| | | | 1996–2002, 2023-2024 | 26,000 82,110 (104,091) | 1922 | Grass | |
| | | | 2006–2019 | 20,000 | 2006 | Grass | [58] |
| | | | 1996–2005 | 19,166 (31,218) | 1933 | Grass | |
| | | | 2017–2018 | 21,895 (50,805) | 2009 | FieldTurf | | |
Defunct teams
Reduced capacity (Full capacity) | |
class=unsortable | Image ! | Stadium | Team(s) | Location | Used for MLS | Capacity | Opened | Surface | Field Dimensions | class=unsortable | Ref(s) |
---|
| | | | 1996–1998 | 16,000 (65,857) | 1967 | Grass | unknown | |
| | | | 1998–2002 | 20,450 | 1959 | Grass | 116yd75yd | |
| | | | 1999–2002 | 32,000 (65,857) | 1998 | Grass | 115yd72yd | |
| | | | 2005–2014 (Chivas USA) | 18,800 (27,000) | 2003 | Grass | 120yd75yd | align=center | | |
See also
Notes
- News: Schneider . Keith . June 30, 2020 . As Major League Soccer Expands, Teams Are Getting New Homes . . February 23, 2021.
- News: Ruthven . Graham . April 10, 2020 . Fake plastic unease: Can MLS become a world-class league on artificial turf? . . April 5, 2022.
- News: Wallerson . Ryan . May 28, 2015 . Yankee Stadium Dimensions Cramping New York City FC's Style . . May 9, 2023.
- News: Centene backs out of St. Louis soccer stadium naming deal. Annika. Marrilees. Kukujan, Steph. stltoday.com. October 25, 2022. October 25, 2022.
- Web site: Allianz Field . . December 20, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20181225175432/https://www.mnufc.com/post/2018/12/20/2019-home-opener . December 25, 2018 . mdy-all .
- Web site: 2010 MLS Fact Sheet . August 28, 2012 .
- News: Goff. Steven. D.C. United strikes deal with Audi for stadium naming rights. The Washington Post. February 15, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216045147/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/02/15/d-c-uniteds-deal-with-audi-for-stadium-naming-rights-is-one-of-the-largest-in-mls/. February 16, 2017. mdy-all.
- Web site: MLS. Staff. DC council unanimously approves stadium plan. MLS.com. MLS. December 17, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141219013028/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/12/17/dc-council-unanimously-approves-development-dc-united-stadium. December 19, 2014. mdy-all.
- News: Spanberg . Erik . February 11, 2022 . Charlotte FC moving closer to sellout for season opener at Bank of America Stadium . . subscription . February 21, 2022.
- Web site: BC Place . . September 30, 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927143157/http://www.whitecapsfc.com/bc-place . September 27, 2011 . mdy-all .
- Web site: Constantineau. Bruce. Empire falls, Whitecaps hope BC Place provides kick-start. The Province. September 24, 2011. September 24, 2011.
- Web site: TFC groundskeeper at BMO Field on the hot seat. Laura. Armstrong. 2016-05-07. 2016-05-07. Toronto Star. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160604175537/https://www.thestar.com/sports/tfc/2016/05/07/tfc-groundskeeper-at-bmo-field-on-the-hot-seat.html. June 4, 2016. mdy-all.
- Web site: Banc of California Stadium Facts . . January 9, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171213090602/https://www.lafc.com/stadium/facts . December 13, 2017 . mdy-all .
- Web site: Inter Miami CF To Make Historic MLS Home Debut on March 14, 2020 . InterMiamiCF.com . 13 November 2019 . 13 November 2019.
- Web site: Sporting Park Fact Sheet . January 23, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130117051918/http://www.sportingkc.com/stadium/fact-sheet . January 17, 2013 . mdy-all .
- News: Barker . Jacob . August 25, 2019 . 'Clearly a better deal': City taxpayers' opposition to 2017 MLS stadium plan worked out in long run . . October 23, 2019.
- Web site: Timmermann . Tom . Green light: St. Louis City SC wants a field that will wow from the start . 2023-05-10 . STLtoday.com . June 26, 2022 . en.
- Web site: An A-Z Directory of Facility Services for our Guests . Dick's Sporting Goods Park . May 24, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140603014655/http://www.dickssportinggoodspark.com/PDF/DSGP_FanGuide_2014.pdf . June 3, 2014 .
- Web site: The Home Depot Center . . May 30, 2011 . May 23, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110523093702/http://www.homedepotcenter.com/contentright.php?section=aboutus&page=thehdc . dead .
- News: Gillette Stadium Overview . revolutionsoccer.net . October 20, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005180746/http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/stadium/gillette-stadium-overview . October 5, 2013 . mdy-all .
- Web site: de los Rios. Gabriel. Calderon. Rudy. All 22 MLS stadiums for the 2017 season. Major League Soccer. March 4, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170304180043/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/03/02/all-22-mls-stadiums-2017-season. March 4, 2017. mdy-all.
- News: Bush . Bill . Myers . Jacob . October 10, 2019 . Crew breaks ground on new stadium in Arena District . . October 23, 2019.
- News: Success in the second season won't be easy for Sounders FC . Romero . José Miguel . January 23, 2010 . . January 24, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100127184940/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2010875575_sounders24.html . January 27, 2010 .
- News: Close to the action: Fans come first in Seahawks Stadium . April 14, 2004 . Smith . Rob . July 19, 2002 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20040619053152/http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2002/07/22/focus6.html . June 19, 2004 . mdy-all .
- Web site: Carlisle. Jeff. Atlanta introduced as MLS' 22nd team. espnfc.com. ESPN FC. April 17, 2014.
- Web site: San Jose Earthquakes: Team makes inroads with fans, plans to 'strive to be best' on field . . October 28, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120207151859/http://www.mercurynews.com/earthquakes/ci_19211752 . February 7, 2012 .
- News: Timbers Expanding Width of Field to 75 Yards . January 1, 2014 . Michael A. . Orr . December 31, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193028/http://www.stumptownfooty.com/portland-timbers/2013/12/31/5261938/timbers-expanding-width-of-field-to-75-yards . January 2, 2014 . mdy-all .
- News: 2015 Portland Timbers Game Recap. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150326033646/http://www.timbers.com/news/2015/03/match-recap-portland-timbers-2-la-galaxy-2. March 26, 2015. mdy-all.
- News: Hatch. Charlie. Precourt Sports Ventures and City of Austin complete landmark stadium agreement to bring Major League Soccer to Austin . December 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181220005139/https://prismic-io.s3.amazonaws.com/austinfc%2F5fb86562-2479-4118-a2d3-35799e184b0f_leaseagreement.pdf. December 20, 2018. live.
- Web site: Stadium Facts . Red Bull Arena . January 24, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140218115549/http://www.redbullarena.us/arena/stadiumfacts.aspx . February 18, 2014 .
- Web site: Stade Saputo . impactmontreal.com . March 21, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150314232948/http://www.impactmontreal.com/en/stadium/stadium-expansion . March 14, 2015 .
- Web site: Dynamo Stadium 2012 . . May 30, 2011 . May 31, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110531204109/http://www.houstondynamo.com/stadium . dead .
- News: BBVA Compass Stadium's pitch size draws ire. Houston Chronicle. May 20, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120522045549/http://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/BBVA-Compass-Stadium-s-pitch-size-draws-ire-3570243.php. May 22, 2012. mdy-all.
- Web site: Houston Dynamo widen BBVA Compass Stadium pitch as pass-and-move mindset brings "different direction". Houston Dynamo. October 30, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160118130749/http://www.houstondynamo.com/post/2015/03/06/houston-dynamo-widen-bbva-compass-stadium-pitch-pass-and-move-mindset-brings. January 18, 2016. mdy-all.
- Web site: Sigal . Jonathan . Chicago Fire announce ownership change and relocation . September 13, 2019 . . September 27, 2019.
- Web site: About Subaru Park . . February 18, 2020.
- Web site: About Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130912055743/http://www.fcdallas.com/stadium/about. September 12, 2013. mdy-all.
- Web site: FC Dallas Training Report: 3/23. March 23, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140202190437/http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2011/03/fc-dallas-training-report-323. February 2, 2014. mdy-all.
- News: FC Cincinnati announces timeline for West End stadium. The Enquirer. June 29, 2018. August 30, 2018.
- Web site: New York City FC outline plans for Yankee Stadium's baseball-to-soccer conversion. MLSsoccer.com. Major League Soccer. 21 April 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140423221323/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/21/new-york-city-fc-outline-details-plans-yankee-stadiums-baseball-soccer-conve. April 23, 2014. mdy-all.
- News: Kraft soccer stadium push complicates Boston 2024 plans for Widett Circle. Boston Business Journal. Mary. Moore. March 25, 2015. May 19, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150512124111/http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2015/03/25/kraft-soccer-stadium-push-complicates-boston-2024.html?page=all. May 12, 2015. mdy-all.
- News: October 22, 2019 . David Beckham's MLS team unveil plans for $966m stadium in Miami . . October 23, 2019.
- Web site: Construction Begins on Miami Freedom Park; Inter Miami CF Stadium Set to Open in 2025 Inter Miami CF . 2023-08-28 . intermiamicf . en.
- News: DeSantis announces $8 million infrastructure grant for Inter Miami stadium project . August 8, 2024.
- Web site: NYCFC, NYC reach deal to build soccer stadium in Queens . November 15, 2022 .
- News: Reineking . Jim . May 18, 2023 . San Diego will be home to MLS expansion team, pushing league to 30 clubs . USA Today . May 18, 2023.
- Web site: History . . May 30, 2011 . June 6, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125854/http://www.sjearthquakes.com/history . dead .
- Web site: MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER AWARDS EXPANSION TEAM TO ORLANDO. Orlandocitysoccer.com. Orlando City SC. December 9, 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131211012510/http://orlandocitysoccer.com/news/pronews/?article_id=1655. December 11, 2013. mdy-all.
- Web site: Empire Field . . May 30, 2011 . May 16, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110516070345/http://www.whitecapsfc.com/facilities/empire . dead .
- Web site: Crew Stadium . . May 30, 2011 . June 6, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125459/http://www.thecrew.com/stadium . dead .
- News: Mapfre no more: Columbus Crew seeks new naming-rights partner for historic stadium . March 1, 2021.
- News: D.C. United holds off Columbus Crew SC in Annapolis . 19 February 2019 . ESPN FC . 15 April 2018.
- News: Brennan. Patrick. It's official: FC Cincinnati has joined MLS, will begin play in 2019. The Cincinnati Enquirer. May 29, 2018. May 30, 2018.
- News: Craig . Merz . Crew Won't Increase 'Shoe Size; for Now, Capacity Will Remain as Is . . 3H . April 17, 1996.
- News: Crew Wins 8th Straight; More than 31,000 Fans See Columbus' 2 - 0 Win Over the MetroStars . . 1E . April 14, 1996.
- Web site: Ohio Stadium . . May 31, 2011 . July 25, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725033140/http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17300&KEY=&ATCLID=925256 . dead .
- News: U.S. vs. Germany: RFK or FedEx?. The Washington Post. January 9, 2013.
- Web site: toyotapark.com – A-Z/FAQ's . May 4, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070427214203/http://www.toyotapark.com/about/faq.asp . April 27, 2007 . dead .