Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG) has unveiled plans for a professional South Gateway Soccer Stadium in Downtown Cleveland and aims to bring men’s and women’s teams to the city by 2026. The $50 million stadium would be built on nearly 14 acres in the South Gateway neighborhood, south of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Progressive Field, subject to approval. The multi-purpose facility will have a capacity of 10,000 seats, with possible expansion to 12,500 and eventually 20,000.
In September, Cleveland Metropolitan Park District commissioners approved the purchase of approximately 13.6 acres from the Ohio Department of Transportation to fit the stadium project. This acquisition is part of CSG’s greater plan to establish a professional soccer presence in Northeast Ohio and procure a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team. Although Cleveland’s bid at an NWSL team was scrapped last year, officials have now stated that a women’s pro team has been purchased, with more details to be unveiled in the weeks ahead.
Michael Murphy, Co-Founder and CEO of Cleveland Soccer Group, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s progress. “We’ve built tremendous momentum over the past few years, and we’re thrilled to bring professional soccer to Cleveland,” he said. “While construction hasn’t started yet, we’ve done extensive groundwork, secured site control through our Metroparks partnership, and gained strong backing from local institutions, businesses, and fans. This stadium is one great potential of Cleveland’s future, and we are committed to seeing it a reality.
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Support for the CSG’s South Gateway Stadium proposal
Notwithstanding that the stadium is pending final approval, local stakeholders are already showing landslide support for the project. Should it be approved, the project will be brought to fruition with Cleveland Metroparks in a joint venture.
Brian M. Zimmerman, Cleveland Metroparks president, reaffirmed the project’s alignment with organizational goals. “We look forward to working very closely with CSG to ensure the project complements our mission to connect people to the outdoors and downtown Cleveland,” he stated. “The vision for South Gateway Stadium is compelling. With the potential to take a blighted area and turn it into a vibrant, community-driven facility.”
A study commissioned by CSG estimates that the South Gateway Soccer Stadium in Downtown Cleveland would generate a total of $2.4 billion in economic activity over its construction and the first 30 years of operation. In addition, the project will generate more than $200M in new tax revenues for Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and the state of Ohio over same time.
David Gilbert, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland, highlighted the stadium’s transformative potential. “Having a state-of-the-art, right-sized venue for professional soccer will be a game-changer for Cleveland,” he said. “The South Gateway Stadium could ignite a level of soccer enthusiasm in this region that we’ve never seen before. The timing is ideal, coming right after the World Cup.”
CSG also released new renderings and a video showing the possible design of the stadium, giving an idea of what would be a gigantic asset to Cleveland’s sporting culture.
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South Gateway Stadium in Downtown Cleveland: Factsheet
Project Overview
Proponent: Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG)
Proposed Location: South Gateway neighborhood, downtown Cleveland
Total Investment: $50 million
Land Area: Approximately 13.6 acres
Target Launch Year: 2026
Stadium Specifications
Initial Capacity: 10,000 spectators
Potential Expansion Capacity:
Medium-term: 12,500 seats
Long-term: 20,000 seats
Teams Planned: Men’s and Women’s Professional Soccer Teams
South Gateway Soccer Stadium: Economic Impact Projections
Total Economic Activity: $2.4 billion (over construction and first 30 years)
New Tax Revenue: Over $200 million (first 30 years, across Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and Ohio)
Key Project Milestones
September 2024: Cleveland Metropolitan Park District approved land purchase
Current Status: Pending final project approval
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