CLEVELAND, Ohio — The quest to bring professional women’s soccer to Cleveland hit a snag when it didn’t land a National Women’s Soccer League franchise. But the group that tried to make it happen has adjusted its plans going forward, particularly when it comes to a soccer-specific stadium downtown.
The Cleveland Soccer Group has announced plans for a $50 million soccer stadium that seats 10,000 people to be built south of the Gateway District and could open as soon as 2026.
“We’re incredibly excited to continue the momentum we’ve built over the past few years and bring professional soccer to Cleveland,” Michael Murphy, Co-Founder & CEO of Cleveland Soccer Group, said in a media release on Tuesday. “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. This stadium represents an exciting opportunity for Cleveland’s future, and we’re committed to making it a reality.”
The city was a finalist in the race for an NWSL franchise but lost the bid to Denver in December 2024.
The original plan was for a $150 million stadium that seated 12,500 people.
The city will have a men’s team in MLS Next Pro, the second tier behind Major League Soccer, in 2025. CSG also said that Cleveland has gotten the rights to a women’s professional soccer team, although it won’t be in the NWSL, which is the top women’s league in the United States.
If approved, the stadium will host both teams as soon as 2026. The stadium could host more than 60 events a year, according to CSG, including high school and college events.
According to CSG, Cleveland is the only top 40 market in the United States without a soccer-specific stadium or official plans to build one.