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Why soccer districts outperform stand‑alone projects
Soccer can anchor more than a stadium. Planned as multi-purpose districts with fields, community rooms, and year-round programming, these places become daily-use assets that welcome residents for games, concerts, graduations, youth clinics, and neighborhood events. The goal is to design these community fields for continuous activation, rather than just a few marquee dates each season.
Soccer districts also reflect fan behavior. They prefer to walk, dine, and linger before and after matches, which means bars, restaurants, and retail in the district capture more local spend and extend the evening for residents and visitors alike.
Case in point, Firestone’s Central Park in Colorado
The Town of Firestone in Colorado is advancing a soccer‑anchored plan to solve a decades-old challenge, create a true town gathering place, and activate a large site with fields, community programming, and a right-sized venue. Firestone Assistant Town Manager Raelynn Ferrera said, “It’s more than soccer, it becomes a place for that connection for that community identity.”
The town reframed the idea of a “stadium” to emphasize its scale and everyday use, engaging residents early, clarifying its scope, and centering on the “why” behind the project: park access, walkability, local entertainment, and partnerships that reduce the burden on taxpayers.
How to turn underutilized land into a daily-use destination
Start with fields and programming. Many communities are under‑fielded, which is why adding high-quality training fields and flexible event space can turn low-activity parkland into a weekly destination for youth, adult tournaments, and community events.
Right-size the venue to the market. A technology-rich, intimate building that consistently delivers more energy and repeat visits than a cavernous facility that sits half empty.
Plan the district around the walk. Soccer fans want to spend time in nearby restaurants and shops rather than tailgating in a parking lot, so put food, beverages, and retail within a short walk. Then, program pre- and post-match experiences that invite people to stay.
Engage the public early and often. Use precise language, visualize everyday uses, and explain tradeoffs so residents see themselves in the plan and understand the long-term benefits to quality of life and local business.
Results to watch, pride, programming, and place
Rhode Island’s Tidewater Landing shows how a right-sized 10,500-seat stadium and mixed-use plan can catalyze a waterfront district on a remediated industrial site. Fans voted it the best new sports venue in America, and area leaders credit the venue’s “big‑league” feel with consistent sellouts and a welcoming multi-generational experience.
The project demonstrates how environmental cleanup, housing, public realm improvements, and event programming can foster both pride and performance in a city that has lost a longtime team and seeks a new heartbeat downtown.
Economic outcomes and jobs
From job creation to earnings, establishing a soccer-focused district yields beneficial ROI. According to Daniel Kroeber, cofounder and executive board member of Pawtucket, Rhode Island’s Tidewater Landing, “The returns are real.” For Tidewater Landing, early returns include numerous sellouts, national broadcast visibility, over 700 construction jobs, approximately 400 event-day roles, incremental TIF gains (approximately $7M per year), and rising local spending as the wider district comes online.
Final takeaway
If your community has a dormant site and a desire for a central gathering place, a soccer-anchored district can turn blight into a bright spot. Lead with fields and everyday programming, right-size the venue, design for the walk, and tell the story early. When done well, you will attract year-round foot traffic, support stronger small businesses, and serve as a community hub for residents.
Check out SFC’s USL Webinar | The Soccer Effect: How USL Expansion Sparks Growth in Mid-Sized Cities to learn more about how soccer is reshaping communities across America.
