MLS boom as teams pour $3.3 billion into new stadium projects with 2026 World Cup approaching

The MLS spending friendly on soccer-specific stadiums is showing no signs of slowing down.

Between 2021 and 2025, six teams moved into their own homes, which were set up with the beautiful game in mind.

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Four more are on the way — Inter Miami (2026), New York City FC (2027), and Chicago Fire (2028) — are in the works, with the New England Revolution making progress on another proposal.

In total, the teams will spend around $3.3 billion dollars looking to provide a world-class experience for their fans and add revenue streams in a lucrative market.

Soccer is set to take over the U.S. as the World Cup arrives in 2026 — heralding a seismic shift.

MLS teams will play a 14-game “sprint season” next spring before moving in line with the global soccer calendar with the 2027-28 campaign beginning in fall.

Inter Miami’s Freedom Park

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will take to the field at the gleaming 25,000-seat Freedom Park against Austin FC on April 4.

“We’re building a stadium that will be special for our city, for our fans and for our club,” co-owner David Beckham said in 2025.

The stadium, which cost $350 million, is part of a $1.3 billion mixed-use development.

It has been described as a ‘destination that residents can enjoy’ and will provide 58 acres of public parks and green space, a tech hub, restaurants and shops, and smaller soccer fields.

Messi is sticking around for his fourth season at the club as he prepares to defend his World Cup title with Argentina.

“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality — playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park,” he revealed in a statement.

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“Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here.

“We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park.

“We can’t wait for it to be finished — to experience it from the inside, in our new home, and for the fans to enjoy it as well.

“It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”

Freedom Park will not be hosting World Cup games, with Hard Rock Stadium one of the U.S. venues.

New York City’s Etihad Stadium

NYCFC is playing at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field for the next two seasons.

After that, the 25,000-seat Etihad Stadium in Queens should be ready to make its debut in late summer 2027.

“It’s a relief, honestly, more than anything, because it’s been a long time coming,” NYCFC CEO Brad Sims told Front Office Sports.

The stadium cost $780 million and showcases the team’s link with Abu Dhabi’s City Football Group — the money behind English Premier League giants Manchester City.

“We’re in the biggest, most important market in the country, and arguably the world,” Sims added. “This is the world’s game. New York is the world’s city. Queens is the world’s borough.

“It’s just been the one thing that has been holding us back — not having our own home, and having to bounce around between venues.”

Chicago Fire’s new stadium

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Chicago Fire has been playing at Soldier Field, which faces an uncertain future of its own.

A $750 million, 22,000-seat downtown stadium is expected by 2028.

“One of the tough parts about playing at Soldier Field is we are essentially blocked out on some of the key sponsorship categories that are protected by the Chicago Bears,” Fire president of business operations Dave Baldwin told FOS. “And also we don’t have access to the stadium on some dates because of concerts or Bears games.

“As you look towards the new stadium—while the club has done a really nice job and the team has worked really hard to grow fandom locally and grow sponsorship revenues and everything else—we really see this stadium as sort of the next catalyst for developing the club.”

Billionaire owner Joe Mansueto wants to give back to the city where he made his fortune.

“Chicago is where I built my business, my family and my life. And while I never set out to own a professional sports team, when the chance came to purchase the Chicago Fire in 2018 I couldn’t pass it up,” he wrote in a letter to fans.

“Soccer is the world’s game and a world-class city like ours deserves a world-class club — with a world-class home to match.

“We expect to open in Spring 2028. This new home for the Chicago Fire Football Club will anchor the city’s future 78th neighborhood and serve as a catalyst for job creation, economic development and vibrant community life.

“But this project is more than just a stadium. It’s a space for fans of all ages, backgrounds and neighborhoods to come together and celebrate the beautiful game — right in the heart of our city.

“It’s about investing in Chicago, not just on match days, but every day as a committed community partner.

“The Chicago Fire is a club on the rise. And soon, we’ll have a permanent home that reflects the passion, energy and pride of the city we love.”

New England Revolution splitting from Patriots

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Robert Kraft’s New England Revolution confirmed earlier this month that they are leaving Gillette Stadium for a waterfront arena in Everett.

A deal has been struck with local lawmakers to pay for infrastructure and offset the impact on residents.

“The biggest thing from a sort of big-picture perspective, is, frankly, the relevance in Greater Boston for Major League Soccer and for the Revolution,” Revolution president Brian Bilello told the Boston Globe. 

“I’m still seeing articles and stories as recently as this month talking about the four sports teams in Boston.

“It’s understandable, but also still disappointing that with our attendance levels and how long we’ve been around, that we’re still somehow seen as a junior professional sports team to the other ones.”