NEWS RELEASE
Cleveland Soccer Group Plans Women’s and Men’s Professional Soccer in 2026 at South Gateway Stadium
Proposed 10,000-Seat Multi-Purpose Stadium Set to Host Over 60 Events Annually, Driving Economic Growth in Undeveloped Area Near Downtown Cleveland
Cleveland Metroparks Reaffirms Partnership with CSG on Revised Downtown Stadium Plan; New Economic Impact Study Shows Stadium Could Generate Over $2.4 Billion in Economic Activity and $200 Million in New Tax Revenue Over 30 Years
Cleveland – March 4, 2025 – Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG) is excited to announce its plans to bring both women’s and men’s professional soccer to Cleveland in 2026, with the proposed development of a new 10,000-seat South Gateway Stadium. This state-of-the-art venue, if approved, will be home to both men’s and women’s professional soccer teams, alongside a diverse lineup of other events that will drive community engagement and economic growth.
“We’re incredibly excited to continue the momentum we’ve built over the past few years and bring professional soccer to Cleveland,” says Michael Murphy, Co-Founder & CEO of Cleveland Soccer Group. “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.”
Harnessing Momentum for Women’s Soccer in Cleveland
CSG made national headlines with its (men's) MLS Next Pro announcement in 2022 and last year's Back The Bid Campaign, a call to action to demonstrate local support for women’s professional soccer in Northeast Ohio. Women's pro soccer fans pledged to purchase more than 16,000 season tickets — and sent a clear message that Cleveland is ready for professional women’s sports. The women’s professional side has been secured and details will be announced in coming weeks. 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.
“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 South Gateway Stadium: A Vision for Cleveland’s Future
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 RTA’s rapid lines setting for future multi-modal transportation and development opportunities. While the project has not yet received final approval, the stadium concept has already sparked significant excitement from local institutions and stakeholders.
The $50 million project is expected to be developed on 14 acres of land in partnership with Cleveland Metroparks. If approved, the stadium will become a hub for sports, recreation, and community events, positioned to strengthen Cleveland’s downtown while providing new 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 M. 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.”
A Stadium Designed to Meet Community Needs
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. 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.”
The proximity of the stadium to St. Ignatius, a nationally recognized institution for academics and athletics, is a particularly exciting prospect. Rory Fitzpatrick, Athletic Director at St. Ignatius High School, says, “The South Gateway Stadium provides an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes and families. 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.”
Economic Impact and Community Growth
CSG commissioned an Economic Impact Study to assess the potential effects of the proposed stadium on the region. The study projects 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.
The study also estimates that the stadium will create 473 jobs during construction and 254 ongoing jobs once the venue is operational, further boosting Cleveland’s economy.
“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.”
Highlighting Regional Stadium Developments
Cleveland had been the last top-40 market in the U.S. without a soccer stadium or plans to build one. For years, cities across the country have recognized the value of purpose-built soccer stadiums and the impact on their local economy. And with the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup set to be the largest sporting event the world has ever seen, cities that haven't built facilities to embrace the power of soccer will be scrambling to catch up as the forthcoming wave of fandom swells.
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. 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.”
Join the Movement
Cleveland Soccer Group invites fans, businesses, and community members to join the process of bringing professional soccer—and a world-class stadium—to Cleveland. Supporters are encouraged to sign up for updates and opportunities to get involved on the CSG website at clevelandprosoccer.com.
About Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG)
Founded in 2022, Cleveland Soccer Group is focused on bringing both men’s and women’s professional soccer to Cleveland and growing the game across Northeast Ohio. After securing rights to launch an MLS NEXT Pro men’s team, CSG expanded its efforts with a bid to bring a professional women’s team to the city. CSG has already garnered over 16,000 season ticket pledges, positioning the city for an exciting future in professional soccer.
About MLS NEXT Pro
Launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT to MLS first teams. To date, more than 160 players have signed MLS first team contracts after competing in MLS NEXT Pro. MLS NEXT Pro continues to grow the game through innovation and inclusion, bringing professional soccer to new communities and creating opportunities both on and off the field. MLS NEXT Pro enters its fourth season in 2025 with 29 teams, 27 MLS-affiliated and two independent, Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC. Additional MLS-affiliated and independent clubs will join in the years ahead, including Cleveland, Jacksonville Armada FC, Connecticut United FC and West Michigan Soccer. MLS NEXT Pro matches are broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV as part of the groundbreaking partnership between Apple and MLS. For more information about MLS NEXT Pro, visit mlsnextpro.com.