Soccer Specific Stadiums

Stadiums Beginning to Dot North America

Major League Soccer is growing. Another evidence of this growth is the continued increase in the number of soccer specific stadiums across the US (and Canada). One the league was first organized they borrowed fields from other leagues. Many teams would play in NFL and college football stadiums. As the league began to mature and develop the recognized the increasing need for their own identity, which included the neccasary construction of soccer specific stadiums.

Their are now 8 venues that were designed and constructed specifically for soccer matches:

On May 15, 1999, Columbus Crew stadium became the first soccer specific stadium in the league. Built in Clumbus, Ohio Columbus Crew Stadium cost $28.5 million to construct and was covered entirely by private funds from oil billionaire Lamar Hunt. It seats 20,455.

In June of 2003, the Home Depot Center was opened in Los Angeles, California. It is owned and operated by the Anschutz Entertainment Group. For a meager $150 million this stadium is home to both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA. It seats a capacity crowd of 27,000 and is one of the finest stadiums in the league.

On August 6, 2005 City of Frisco opened their new $80 million Pizza Hut Park. It is home to FC Dallas and has a capacity of 21,193.

June 11, 2006 saw the opening of the 20,000 seat Toyota Park in Chicago, IL. This $100 million stadium is home to the Chicago Fire.

On April 7, 2007 the doors opened in Dicks Sporting Goods Park located in Commerce City, CO. This $131 million stadium can seat 18,086 and is home to the Colorado Rapids.

On April 28, 2007, just a few weeks after Dicks Sporting Goods Park was opened in Colorado, a 21,800 seat gem was opened in Toronto, Canada. BMO Field is home to Toronto FC and was built for $62.5 million.

Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah was opened on October 9, 2008 after a long $115 million construction process. It is home to Real Salt Lake and has a capacity of 20,008.

On March 20, 2010 the newest soccer specific stadium, Red Bull Arena, was opened to a raucous crowd and a 3-1 victory for the NY Red Bulls over Brazil's Santos squad. This massive $180-$200 million undertaking that can seat 25,189 is located in Harrison, NJ.

In addition to these 8 soccer specific stadiums the league has plans for 3 more stadiums to be completed in Philadelphia (2010), Kansas City (2011), and Portland (2011).


The commissioner of MLS, Don Garber, has been very adamant that expansion teams must have plans for a soccer-specific stadium in place before being granted a franchise in the league. These soccer specific stadiums are bringing fans into an atmosphere that is much easier to enjoy the game. New stadium designs are beginning to equal or even surpass many other world class soccer stadiums. Rio Tinto Stadium and Red Bull Arena, both designed by Rossetti architects, have a heavy European flare to them and are drawing large crowds.

As the league continues to grow the number of soccer specific stadiums will continue to increase. Each team needs a place to call home, a place to call their own. These spccer specific stadiums are adding character and flare to the league in addition to a place to play.