See the new dramatic drawings of a Major League Soccer stadium in Sacramento
Republic FC hopes it can turn a section of the long-vacant downtown Sacramento railyard into a state-of-the art stadium with views of the river and city skyline by 2021.
The soccer franchise released new architectural renderings this week of what that stadium might look like as Sacramento continues its bid to join Major League Soccer as an expansion team.
“The additions to the existing stadium design provide an even better fan experience, including 360-degree circulation and lookout points from our stadium to our river and our downtown skyline,” Republic FC President Ben Gumpert said in a statement Tuesday accompanying the renderings.
The updated stadium plans also include canopy-level seating, according to a Republic FC news release.
The proposed stadium would sit on 31 of the parcel’s 240 acres at the former railyard. Billionaire Ron Burkle has proposed building an MLS-level venue at the property’s northeast corner, along with an adjacent entertainment district. Burkle purchased controlling interest in the team earlier this year with business partner Matt Alvarez.
Just north of Sacramento’s Amtrak station, the proposed downtown railyard development would include a Kaiser hospital, six-story apartment building and a building for the Sacramento Superior Court, as The Bee reported earlier this year. The hospital wouldn’t open until 2025, and completion of the full project may take about 20 years, given its size.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber told The Sacramento Bee in March that St. Louis and Sacramento have submitted “the strongest bids by far” to become the league’s next expansion team, following the addition of Burkle and Alvarez to Sacramento’s bid.
The league board will meet this month to discuss the addition of a 28th team.
“If awarded an expansion slot by MLS, Republic FC could begin construction on the stadium immediately with an estimated completion date in 2021,” the team’s news release said.
Republic FC continues its 2019 season in the United Soccer League on Saturday at Papa Murphy’s Park, hosting Austin Bold FC.
