$1bn stadium project aims to resurrect failed expansion franchise on reclaimed tribal land

USL Championship club Sacramento Republic has unveiled a dramatically expanded stadium vision.

The ambitious plan has added a roof to the 20,000-plus-seater venue — an increase on the 12,000-capacity arena unveiled during groundbreaking in August.

Manica

Manica

Fans requested coverage for every seat and the team has listened, with a safe-standing area and a supporters’ plaza among the offerings.

Work on infrastructure is set to begin in April with the opening pushed back to 2028 to allow time to construct the canopy.

Republic will stay an extra year at Heart Health Park, which can fit around 11,000 fans.

The stadium’s cost has risen from $175m to $350m, pushing the total cost of a massive investment in downtown Sacramento well north of $1 billion.

A new neighbourhood is being built around the arena with retail, hotel, housing and community facilities.

Wilton Rancheria is the first tribal nation to own a club and stadium, with the 31-acre project creating a new neighborhood on reclaimed ancestral lands.

“With this stadium, Wilton Rancheria is reclaiming our space and matching the ambition of the region,” Jesus Tarango, chairman of Wilton Rancheria, said in a statement.

“As a Tribe of firsts, we’re proud to deliver a 20,000-plus seat, soccer-first stadium – the largest professional sports and entertainment venue in the region – and a home where community comes together and our collective future takes shape.”

Republic managing partner Kevin Nagle added: “For years, we have known what our fans deserve and what this region is capable of supporting. The response to groundbreaking removed any remaining doubt.

“A 20,000-seat Republic Stadium – with a roof over every seat, safe standing for our supporters, and world-class amenities throughout – is not an overreach. It is exactly the venue Sacramento has earned, and we are proud to deliver it.”

Manica

Manica

Republic Stadium at The Railyards is the heartbeat of a project that will double the size of downtown Sacramento by bringing to life an area that has sat vacant for decades.

“Building bigger is a catalytic investment in the long-term transformation of downtown Sacramento,” said Chris Franklin, COO for Wilton Rancheria. “Wilton Rancheria is bringing the capital, vision, and execution needed to turn this site into a destination that drives economic impact, community connection, and sustained growth for the entire region.”

At over 500,000 square feet with a capacity of 27,000 for entertainment and special events, the stadium will be the outdoor professional sports and entertainment venue in the Sacramento region.

Seats will be as close as league rules allow to bring real atmosphere and twin videoboards will rival any soccer-first venue.

Sacramento desperate for MLS expansion franchise

Crucially, the stadium could be the first step in bringing a failed MLS expansion bid back to life.

Sacramento was due to get a franchise but the project collapsed in 2021.

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“On Sacramento, I call this expansion project leading up to this season as a COVID casualty,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said at the time. “We had a lot of momentum, we were working very closely with Ron Burkle, Mayor [Darrell] Steinberg and other local leaders to launch a great new team.

“There’s still a lot of energy in Sacramento. It’s a good soccer market. Mayor Steinberg is very focused on putting a new ownership group together, we’re going to work with him to see what can be achieved.”

San Diego stepped into the void and became the 30th MLS team after paying a massive $500 million fee.

With the league considering adding two more teams, Sacramento could be in pole position to secure one of the spots.