With a 16th NWSL team likely on the way, Cleveland is hoping to throw its hat in the ring, and it got a boost this week. On Thursday, Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG) — a development group looking to expand professional soccer in the region — boosted its chances by announcing that it had purchased land for a brand-new women’s soccer stadium.
The group, along with Cleveland Metroparks, acquired 13.6 acres of state-owned land in a $4.2 million deal. Cleveland Metroparks, a public organization that manages natural areas in the Cleveland area, made the acquisition, while CSG financed the operation. The parcel is across the street from Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians.
Cleveland Soccer Group plans to build a stadium for a proposed $150 million if the NWSL approves the bid. The stadium itself is planned to hold 12,500 fans, with the option to expand to 20,000. According to the group, CSG already has nearly 15,000 season ticket pledges if the NWSL awards Cleveland the bid.
The NWSL grew to 14 teams this season with the addition of Bay FC and the return of the Utah Royals. The next expansion team, which will be based in Boston, will begin play in 2026. Additionally, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman told ESPN in April that the league plans to announce a 16th team by the end of 2024. That team would also debut in 2026 alongside Boston.
Cleveland Soccer Group hopes the stadium investment will increase its chances of an expansion bid. In addition to the stadium, CSG’s plan for the stadium park includes additional amenities such as green space, plazas, transportation infrastructure, public paths, parking and more.
According to the Cleveland Pro Soccer website, the entire undertaking, including construction of the stadium and training facilities, and setting up team operations, will cost $238 million.
The group is hoping to raise $90 million in public funding from the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the state of Ohio, with public support in bonds that will be repaid from stadium revenues. CSG will then provide the remaining $60 million for the stadium, as well as the remaining money to cover facilities and operating 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 team spot. Both cities, which already have established MLS teams, have a slight edge over Cleveland, which is launching an MLS NextPro team — the second tier of MLS competition — in 2025.
However, a stadium designed specifically for women’s sports is attractive to the NWSL: The Kansas City Current unveiled their new stadium this season, the first of its kind exclusively for a women’s team, and were quickly awarded the contract to host the NWSL Finals.
