By Jennifer Roback
On October 26, 2021, Kansas City announced plans to build a new soccer stadium specifically for their National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, marking the first stadium ever of its kind.
The $70million project will reportedly be funded by franchise owners Chris Long, Angie Long and Brittany Matthews, who is a former collegiate soccer player and the fiancé of Kansas City Chief's quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
“From the beginning, our vision has been to create a player-first experience, and facilities for our team that match not only the elite level of these incredible athletes, but also the passionate support of the Kansas City metro and our fans,” Chris Long said in a statement.
The new stadium, which will be located on the Berkley Riverfront, is expected to have 11,000 seats and is scheduled to be open in 2024.
This announcement comes just weeks after the team announced their plans for a $15million training facility on the north side of the river as part of their 50-year lease for Parcel 8, the 7.08-acre site home to the new stadium at the east end of the Berkley Riverfront.
“As a sports fan and a father, I am so proud that Kansas City will make history in having a world-class facility dedicated to women in sport and that the project will be a centerpiece of our beautiful riverfront redevelopment,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
The Kansas City team is currently in its inaugural season with games being hosted at Legends Field In Kansas City, Kansas, which is also home to the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball.
“World-class facilities have proven to be a catalyst in transforming all professional sports. Tremendous momentum exists in women’s sports specifically, and we are so proud to play a major role in ensuring the sport and also our region benefit from the economics and growth offered by a stadium of this magnitude,” said Angie Long.
Construction is set to begin in the summer or fall of 2022.