With a 16th NWSL team likely on the way, Cleveland is hoping to throw its hat in the ring and got a boost this week. On Thursday, Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG), a development group that aims to expand professional soccer in the region, bolstered its chances with the advertisement who had purchased land for a new women's football stadium.
The group, along with Cleveland Metroparks, acquired 13.6 acres of state land in a $4.2 million deal. Cleveland Metroparks, a public organization that manages nature preserves in the Cleveland area, made the acquisition, while CSG financed the deal. The parcel is across the street from Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians.
Cleveland Football Group plans to build a stadium for a proposed sum of $150 million if the NWSL approves the bid. The stadium itself is planned to seat 12,500 fans, with the possibility of expanding to 20,000. According to the group, CSG already has nearly 15,000 season-ticket pledges if the NWSL grants Cleveland's bid.
The NWSL grew to 14 teams this season with the addition of Bay FC and the return of Utah Royals. The next expansion team, which will be based in Bostonwill begin play in 2026. In addition, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman He told ESPN in April that the league plans to announce a 16th team before the end of 2024. That team would also make its debut in 2026 alongside Boston.
Cleveland Soccer Group hopes the investment in the stadium will boost its chances of bidding for an expansion. In addition to the stadium, CSG's plan for the stadium park includes additional amenities such as green space, plazas, transportation infrastructure, public trails, parking and more.
According to the Cleveland Professional Football Association websiteThe entire project, including construction of the stadium and training facilities, as well as organization of team operations, will cost $238 million.
The group hopes to secure $90 million in public funding from the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the state of Ohio, with public support coming in the form of bonds to be repaid from stadium revenues. CSG will then provide the other $60 million for the stadium, as well as the remaining money to cover facility and operations costs. Notably, the stadium will be publicly owned, with the team leasing the space from the government.
Cleveland is competing with teams like Cincinnati and Denver for the 16th spot. Both cities, which already have established MLS teams, have a slight advantage over Cleveland, which is launch an MLS NextPro team, the second tier of MLS, in 2025.
However, a stadium designed specifically for women's sports is appealing to the NWSL: Kansas City Current unveiled its new, first-of-its-kind stadium dedicated to a women's team this season, and quickly earned the award of hosting the NWSL Final.
