AUSTIN, Texas—Precourt Sports Ventures, LLC and the City of Austin announced that they have finalized their partnership to construct a privately funded $225 million soccer park and stadium on Wednesday.
- Groundbreaking in 2019, scheduled to open spring 2021
- Open space for public year-round
- Inaugural USL season starts March 9
The stadium is intended to be a new Major League Soccer club for the recently announced Austin FC. Groundbreaking for the over 20,000-seat capacity stadium will be in 2019, and the stadium is scheduled to open in the spring of 2021.
The city-owned 24-acre parcel of land, located at 10414 McKalla Place, has been vacant for over 25 years and will be transformed into a state-of-the-art park and stadium, which will be entirely funded by PSV, including all construction costs and operating expenses during the course of the club’s lease of the stadium from the city.
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“Bringing major league sports to Austin will help bring all parts of our diverse city together, so today’s lease signing is very exciting for our community,” Mayor Steve Adler said.
“We are extremely grateful to the City of Austin for allowing us to become a part of this wonderful community, and we are honored that through building this stadium we will be able to create jobs, provide a first-rate soccer and entertainment complex and bring a unifying platform for all of Austin to rally behind – all at no cost to the tax payer,” Anthony Precourt, chairman of Precourt Sports Ventures, said.
The natural grass, open-air stadium will be a top destination for professional and local soccer, and will serve as an entertainment and multi-purpose event venue for Austin. The site will also house a park and open space which will be available to the public year-round.
MLS is determining if Austin FC will begin play in either 2020 or 2021.
“Along with a professional sports franchise, PSV will also bring youth soccer programs, discounted and free tickets, and numerous other community benefits that will enrich our city for years to come,” Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, who sponsored the resolutions to pursue this opportunity, said.
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On August 15, Austin City Council voted to negotiate and execute an agreement to build a privately funded soccer stadium and park at 10414 McKalla Place in north Austin near The Domain.
Austin Bold FC will play its inaugural USL 2019 season at Bold Stadium. The 34-match schedule was also announced on Wednesday. The season will begin on March 9 in Las Vegas.