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Phoenix Rising FC to Open New Stadium Tonight on ESPN2

April 30, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


PHOENIX - A new era begins on Friday night for Phoenix Rising FC as it opens its new 10,000-seat soccer-specific stadium at Wild Horse Pass, with the venue's inaugural game against San Diego Loyal SC set for the national television spotlight on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET.

The new, expanded venue begins an exciting year ahead for both Rising FC and the USL Championship, which will see its largest-ever slate of nationally televised games on the ESPN family of networks between now and November.

Phoenix's club leadership looks at its new home as having the potential for an even greater increase in Rising FC's profile and following after claiming silverware in the league each of the past three seasons.

"We have a new, larger capacity venue in a rapidly growing area," Rising FC President Bobby Dulle told local media. "Wild Horse Pass is 20 minutes from the West Valley on the 202, and 10 minutes south of the airport on I-10 or the 101. We feel like we're in a great position to build our fanbase and expand the excitement at our matches now that more and more people are becoming vaccinated."

Ahead of the game, local photographer Grace Stufkosky was given access to provide a behind-the-scenes look while final preparations were made by the club and its fans for opening night. A 50 percent-capacity crowd is expected under local health protocols, with Los Bandidos and the Red Fury ready to provide the backdrop for a momentous night in the desert.

Phoenix's new home is the first of three new venues set to open in the 2021 Championship season, with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC's new 8,000-seat downtown venue making its debut on Friday, May 21 and the Charlotte Independence's renovated 10,000-seat Memorial Stadium scheduled to open on Saturday, June 5.

Future investment into infrastructure by current clubs in the USL Championship and USL League One and prospective expansion teams also remains on the front burner. This week saw the unveiling of plans for the first professional soccer-specific stadium in New York City's Five Boroughs by Queensboro FC, with the 7,500-seat venue on the campus of York College set to make its debut next spring as the club joins the Championship, while stadium projects for the Championship's New Mexico United and OKC Energy FC and League One's South Georgia Tormenta FC are all moving forward strongly.

Other expansion markets such as Pawtucket, Rhode Island and Des Moines, Iowa also continue to make excellent progress, with soccer-specific venues forming the centerpieces of major mixed-use infrastructure projects that will transform both cities. Currently, the total investment in present and future homes of Championship and League One clubs tops $1 billion as the league's clubs establish themselves as essential parts of their home communities.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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