Featured image credit: Detroit City FC
Detroit City FC (DCFC) has become the latest United Soccer League (USL) club to announce new stadium plans, confirming it has acquired land for the project.
DCFC, which currently competes in the USL Championship, said it has bought the site of the former Southwest Detroit Hospital for the purpose of building a new stadium that will serve as a permanent home for soccer in the city.
The club said its goal is to open a new soccer-specific stadium by the 2027 season, with further details about its plans expected to be announced next week. “This is a huge step for our organisation to build a modern venue to serve our club and community,” said Sean Mann, CEO of Detroit City FC.
“As longtime residents of the city, with a few of us even living within walking distance of the site, the leaders and founders of the club view this project not only as an opportunity to grow our organisation and sport, but as a civic endeavour to give back to the city we love.
“We look forward to starting a process to connect with our supporters, city residents, and community leaders, among others, to craft a community-focused, grassroots professional soccer stadium that serves the City of Detroit.”
Southwest Detroit Hospital opened in 1973 as the first Detroit hospital to hire and accredit African American doctors and nurses, which was uncommon in the United States at that time. The original hospital existed only 17 years before closing and declaring bankruptcy in 1991. The building has been abandoned for 18 years.
DCFC games are currently played at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, which the club leases and has a seating capacity of under 7,000. Founded in 2012, along with the men’s USL Championship team, DCFC also fields a women’s team that plays in the amateur USL W League.
DCFC yesterday (Thursday) said a public engagement process is anticipated to kick off later this year. Alex Wright, co-owner and chief creative officer, added: “A DCFC home match is a can’t-miss stop for any true sports fan in the US, but our players, staff, and supporters deserve a stadium with modern amenities that retains the best elements of Keyworth while also putting the club on a firmer financial footing.
“The city and the people of Hamtramck were there when we needed them. Investments by our club and supporters give proof of our gratitude, and we are excited to set forth on the challenge to make our forever home just as iconic.”
This year alone in the USL ecosystem, the City of Roswell in the state of Georgia in March entered into an agreement with the League to explore the possibility of building a 10,000-seat stadium and entertainment district.
In January, Alliance Sports, owner of Union Omaha, unveiled plans for a new stadium that intends to be the centrepiece of a $300m (£236.6m/€276.3m) mixed-use project located in the downtown riverfront area of Nebraska’s largest city.
USL Championship club Oklahoma City Energy FC also hailed Oklahoma City Council’s decision to significantly boost funding for a proposed new stadium.
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