Grand Rapids Soccer Stadium
The stadium will be designed as a multi-purpose, professional, high-performing venue driving economic growth and development in a vital urban district. It will become the home of professional soccer in West Michigan and also serve a broader community asset supporting youth, colleges, and amateur clubs.
The stadium will be flanked by an open plaza and space for pre-game gathering and easy entrance flow. It will include multi-levels of tiered seating, including suites, loge boxes, and options at various price points. It will have an open and active concourse that connects guests to the game.
The 8,2-acre stadium site is intentionally embedded within a thriving urban network creating multi-season activation and use.
“Soccer (futbol) is the biggest sport in the world and played in nearly every country. Its popularity is rapidly growing in the U.S. and is predicted to be one of the top three sports in the nation within a decade. Our domestic league is the Major League Soccer (MLS). Building a stadium and securing a professional soccer team will be an amazing opportunity for our city. It will create jobs in the stadium (security, staffing, etc.) and in the club (coaching, field management, etc.). We can have MLS academies and give opportunities to our own! A stadium for our community will do nothing but benefit our city and our residents!”
— Hector Fernandez, Futsal Director & Staff Coach, Midwest United FC
Project Highlights
Seating for 8,500 with room to grow
17 professional events and 50+ others
160,000+ visitors per season
Inclusive: multiple price points
Flexible for multi-sport and multi-use
Community & Cultural Benefits
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Housing
The stadium will serve as a catalyst to unlock the potential for 500 to 550 future housing units in the immediate area.
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Tourism & Business Opportunities
The stadium will be a driver of new tourism revenue and increased visitor travel. It will benefit local businesses, spur new economic development, and inspire entrepreneurs, including restaurants, shops, bars, and pop-up retail.
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Enhancement for Other Sports & Events
The stadium will provide youth, amateur, and college soccer programs access to a professional field, and help grow and develop athletes. It also will be able to host other sports, entertainment, and community events.
Grand Rapids Soccer Stadium
Project Resource Downloads
Economic Impact
Estimated impact with two years of construction and 30 years of operation:
City of Grand Rapids:
$408M net new economic impact
$157M in earnings from 330 new jobs (FTEs)
$2.4M tax revenue (income)
State of MI:
$290.7M net new economic impact
$122M in earnings from 495 new jobs (FTEs)
$15.5M tax revenue (sales, hotel, car rentals)
Kent County:
$388M net new economic impact
$156M in earnings from 465 new jobs (FTEs)
$2.8M tax revenue (hotel)
Data-Driven Direction
Plans for an outdoor multi-use professional stadium have been shaped by two independent studies conducted by Convention, Sports & Leisure International aimed at elevating our region as a top-tier visitor destination.
The studies identified opportunities for growth, including an outdoor stadium. Soccer is a major international sport with increasing national popularity and an incredibly diverse fan base. According to US Youth Soccer, Michigan has one of the largest and fastest growing participation levels in the country.
A stadium will benefit a broad range of residents, especially the large Latinx community, and will draw new visitors to the area. It will be able to meet the needs of West Michigan soccer programs for tournaments and bring professional soccer to the region.
The project also complements the Bridge South Plan and West Side Corridor Improvement Authority plans.
