Looking south from the Inner Belt (Interstate 90) bridges, this revised proposal for a Downtown Cleveland soccer stadium was announced today with the intentions of getting it built before the October end of the 2026 Major League Soccer Next PRO season. The view is disorienting because the downtown skyline is in the opposite direction (CSG). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Women’s pro soccer team also reportedly secured
Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG) today announced plans to build a stadium to host men’s and women’s professional soccer games in Cleveland in 2026, with the proposed development of a new 10,000-seat South Gateway Stadium in Downtown Cleveland. This is intended to coincide with a new announcement in the coming weeks regarding Cleveland securing a new women’s pro soccer team.
Today’s announcement focused on a $50 million stadium plan, financed with public and private sources. CSG Co-Founder and CEO Michael Murphy noted that the stands could be manufactured and assembled on site so that it could be opened before the developmental league Major League Soccer (MLS) Next Pro’s season ends in October 2026.
The goal is to get Cleveland’s MLS Next Pro franchise, which it won in 2022, playing next year, even if it starts playing its games at another local venue while the Gateway South stadium is under construction, Murphy said. Cleveland is the only top-40 market in the U.S. without a soccer stadium or not having one under construction.
“We’re incredibly excited to continue the momentum we’ve built over the past few years and bring professional soccer to Cleveland,” he said in a written statement.
“While we haven’t yet broken ground, we’ve done our homework, we have site control through our Metroparks partner, and we’re proud to share the support we’ve garnered from local institutions, businesses, and fans,” Murphy added. “This stadium represents an exciting opportunity for Cleveland’s future, and we’re committed to making it a reality.”
Approximate siting of a new South Gateway District stadium for professional and school soccer, rugby and other special events would be across Interstate 90 from Progressive Field where the Cleveland Guardians play baseball and Rocket Arena where the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball and Monsters hockey teams play (Metroparks).
In addition to the MLS Next Pro team, Murphy’s group was working with others to secure the 16th National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion franchise for that fast-growing league. But that effort fell short as Denver won the bid by offering to pay a $110 million franchise fee — double what Boston paid only a year earlier.
Cleveland may pursue that again at some point. But CSG’s press release makes no mention of a new NWSL bid. Instead it teased the news that something else appears to be brewing.
“The women’s professional side has been secured and details will be announced in coming weeks,” the group’s statement said, noting that Cleveland will have both men’s and women’s teams. “Fans are invited now to be involved in development of both teams’ identities. Official team names, colors, kits and timelines will be announced in coming months.”
When asked by NEOtrans why not outline it now with the stadium announcement, CSG spokesperson Gina Prodan Kelly responded “It deserves its own rollout.”
Last year, the United Soccer League began an eight-team women’s pro league called the Super League that will be expanded to 10 cities in the next two years with more teams likely soon. Then, three weeks ago, the USL, a rival league to the MLS, also announced the formation of a professional Division One men’s league but no teams were named as of yet.
Looking northerly from the southwest plaza of the proposed South Gateway District stadium. This plaza would overlook the Cuyahoga River valley (CSG).
Murphy was asked by NEOtrans several weeks ago about the possibility of a USL team, be it men’s or women’s, to which he responded with “We will have an update soon and will circle back.” He said Cleveland’s bid for a women’s pro soccer franchise revealed a tremendous amount of local support for women’s soccer locally including fans pledging to purchase more than 16,000 season tickets.
“We are incredibly encouraged by the response to our ‘Back the Bid’ campaign,” says Murphy. “The outpouring of support from Clevelanders shows that the city is ready to embrace the professional women’s game. This is only the beginning, and we’re excited to keep building momentum as we move toward 2026.”
The proposed stadium also looks to accommodate top-level high school and collegiate soccer programs as well as other sports and local events which Murphy said will drive community engagement and economic growth.
Those are the kinds of economic activities that can generate new hospitality-based tax revenues which could help finance a city or county construction bond issue. Also, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has proposed a new sports education and stadium fund to be financed by new taxes on online sports betting.
CSG has released new renderings and a video showcasing the potential design for the South Gateway Stadium, which would be located just south of Rocket Arena and Progressive Field and would sit alongside the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s rapid rail lines setting for future multi-modal transportation and development opportunities.
The southeast side of the proposed stadium shows social and event spaces overlooking the pitch. The buildings in the background don’t exist (CSG).
While the project has not yet received final approval, the stadium concept has already sparked excitement from local institutions and stakeholders. The $50 million stadium is expected to be developed on 14 acres of land in partnership with Cleveland Metroparks as a hub offering connections to surrounding neighborhoods through the city’s growing trail network.
“As we move forward, we’re excited to continue working alongside CSG to ensure this project complements our mission to connect people with the outdoors and downtown Cleveland,” says Brian Zimmerman, CEO of Cleveland Metroparks. “We’re encouraged by the vision for the South Gateway Stadium and its potential to transform this underutilized area into a vibrant, community-focused space.”
The South Gateway Stadium is envisioned to host over 60 events annually, including professional soccer matches for both men’s and women’s teams. In addition, the venue is designed to accommodate a wide variety of sports and events, from local high school and university competitions to community celebrations and concerts.
“Cleveland State University, St. Edward High School, and St. Ignatius High School have all expressed interest in hosting events at the stadium,” says Murphy.
“We’ve also spoken to organizations such as U.S. Soccer, the Mid-American Conference (MAC), and Cleveland Municipal School District’s Senate League about potential opportunities to host major sporting events,” he said. “This stadium will offer these institutions and the wider community access to a top-tier facility, helping to elevate local sports and events to a new level.”
A proposed walkway over the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority tracks and a possible station would link Ontario Street with the proposed soccer stadium, seen in the background (CSG).
The proximity of the stadium to St. Ignatius, a nationally recognized institution for academics and athletics, is a particularly exciting prospect for the stadium project’s backers.
“The South Gateway Stadium provides an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes and families,” said Rory Fitzpatrick, athletic director at St. Ignatius High School. “With access to a state-of-the-art venue in such a central location, we will be able to host major events, from football and soccer to lacrosse and rugby, giving our community a premier place to compete.”
CSG believes the stadium’s 10,000-seat capacity and versatile design will also attract new leagues and events to Cleveland, including those that might have otherwise overlooked the region. This includes everything from women’s professional rugby to concerts and other major sporting events.
“Cleveland’s South Gateway Stadium offers an ideal setting for Women’s Elite Rugby,” says Jessica Hammond-Graf, President of Women’s Elite Rugby. “The venue’s flexible design and 10,000-seat capacity will create an intimate yet exciting atmosphere for our fans. With Cleveland’s growing support for women’s sports, this stadium provides the perfect platform for Women’s Elite Rugby to expand its reach and foster new opportunities for female athletes.”
A CSG-funded study predicts that the South Gateway Stadium could generate over $2.4 billion in total economic activity during the 12-month construction phase and the first 30 years of operation. Additionally, the stadium is expected to produce more than $200 million in new tax revenues for the city, county and state. About 473 construction jobs and 254 permanent jobs could result, the study said.
With parking below the Inner Belt highway bridge and the rapid transit lines at left, the proposed South Gateway Stadium could be well connected (CSG).
“Having a state-of-the-art, right-sized facility to host professional men’s and women’s soccer will be a game changer for Cleveland,” says David Gilbert, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland. “The South Gateway Stadium has the potential to ignite soccer fandom in this region on a scale we’ve never seen before, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect — right on the heels of the World Cup.”
More markets are building soccer-specific stadiums for lower division teams. Recent projects similar to Cleveland’s stadium include Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (7,000 seats) and Grand Rapids, MI (8,500 seats), all of which are building MLS Next Pro stadiums that will help propel their cities’ sports and economic landscapes.
“Throughout my career in Major League Soccer, I’ve worked on numerous stadium projects, and I can tell you that the number one factor in determining whether a stadium will be successful is its location,” says Charles Altchek, president of MLS NEXT Pro.
“The location of the South Gateway Stadium is second to none,” Altchek said. “With its proximity to downtown Cleveland and its potential to become a community hub, I’m confident this stadium will unlock tremendous value for the Northeast Ohio community and its many sports fans.”
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