Cleveland Soccer Group Launches Search for City to Anchor Cleveland’s Pro Soccer Future

New headquarters and training facility will host two pro soccer teams and bring national spotlight to one Northeast Ohio community

CLEVELAND, OH – April 7, 2025 – Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG) has issued a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to municipalities, civic leaders, and community development partners to establish the new headquarters and training facilities for two professional soccer teams debuting in 2026 — a men’s team, competing in MLS Next Pro, and Ohio’s first women’s professional soccer team.

The selected site will become the permanent home for Cleveland’s pro soccer future: a world-class, dual-team campus serving as both a training center and operational headquarters. This facility will not only anchor two professional clubs — including the city’s first-ever women’s pro team — but also deliver transformational impact across economic development, youth engagement, tourism, and regional identity.

“We’re not just looking for a place to train — we’re looking for a partner to build with,” said Michael Murphy, Co-founder & CEO of Cleveland Soccer Group. “This facility will be a hub for community pride, athletic excellence, and local investment. The Home & Heart of Cleveland Soccer belongs in a community ready to grow with us.”

The Right Project, at the Right Time

The release of this RFP comes during a pivotal moment for American and Cleveland sports:

• Soccer is on track to become the third most popular sport in the U.S. within the next decade, especially among younger fans and families
• Women’s sports are exploding in popularity and investment, with record-breaking TV viewership, attendance, and sponsorship growth
• Major events, like the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup and 2031 Women’s FIFA World Cup, both hosted partially in the U.S., will only accelerate interest and infrastructure investment

“It’s all happening now — and Northeast Ohio has a chance to be in the driver’s seat,” Murphy added. “We’re inviting a city to grow with us and help build a future rooted in sport, equity, and opportunity.”

A Generational Opportunity for Northeast Ohio

The facility is projected to generate more than $1.4 billion in total economic output over 30 years. This includes the creation of 80+ full-time jobs, increased traffic to local restaurants and hotels, and substantial capital investment in infrastructure and real estate.

Key features of the project include:

• 40–100 acres of space with professional-grade grass and turf fields
• Headquarters facilities, including team offices, medical and recovery space, and training centers
• A 100,000 sq. ft. bubble sports facility with shared public use
• Year-round youth programming, clinics, and community events
• Flexible land ownership and public-private partnership models
• Branding lift from being known as the home of professional soccer in Ohio

A Smart Civic Move

Cities that invest in professional training campuses often become synonymous with the teams they host — and the civic pride, branding power and economic return are real:

• Berea, OH: Now nationally recognized as the home of the Cleveland Browns
• Frisco, TX: Transformed into a national youth and pro soccer hub as the headquarters of FC Dallas and the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame
• Herriman, UT: Became the year-round home of Real Salt Lake and its women's and academy teams, bringing youth development and tourism along with it
• Centennial, CO: Partnered with the NWSL’s Denver team to build an 8-field campus and 12,000-seat stadium, creating public school partnerships and community use agreements

See a full listing of public-private partnerships for professional sports training facilities and headquarters.

“This is a chance for one of our local cities to make the leap from a suburb or municipality to a soccer city with a national profile,” said Cleveland Soccer Group investor and advisor Len Komoroski. “We’re looking for a partner who sees the vision and wants to build something lasting and meaningful. Together.”   Komoroski previously served as CEO of Rock Entertainment Group (REG), the umbrella entity that oversees the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Cleveland Monsters and the Cleveland Charge. He is now Senior Advisor for REG. He also serves as Chairman & Managing Partner of the Lake Erie Crushers, Board Member for English Sheffield United Football Club, and Director of the Australian National Basketball League. 

Call to Action: Let’s Build the Future — Together

The RFP is now open and will close on April 30, 2025. Civic leaders, municipalities, school districts, and development organizations are encouraged to visit www.clevelandprosoccer.com/nda to download the NDA and access full proposal materials, including a detailed economic impact study.

Proposals are due April 30, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Finalist interviews will begin in June, with a selection expected by July 15. Groundbreaking is targeted for early 2026.

“This is more than a sports facility — it’s an invitation to shape the future of Northeast Ohio,” said Murphy. “We’re bringing the global growth of soccer and the momentum of women’s sports to a region with unmatched passion and pride.”

More information about the RFP, similar public-private partnerships, soccer, and other resources and assets are available on Cleveland Soccer Group’s Media Kit.

About Cleveland Soccer Group

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 garnered over 16,000 season ticket pledges, positioning the city for an exciting future in professional soccer, and is eager to announce the launch of Ohio’s first women’s professional soccer team soon.

For media inquiries or interviews, contact:
Nancy Lesic
Media Consultant – Lesic & Camper Communications
nlesic@lesiccamper.com