USL Super League Champion Tampa Bay Sun unveil plans for Soccer-Specific Stadium
USL HQ will also relocate to the area
The USL Super League Champion Tampa Bay Sun are planning one of the first purpose-built stadiums in the world for a women’s professional soccer team. Seen as a milestone for women’s sports, the 15,000-seat stadium which would include a boutique hotel would be located on the waterfront at Ybor Harbor.
The state-of-the-art facility would be the home of the Sun and anchor a vibrant new urban district that would also include the USL’s headquarters, which is currently located in the Westshore District of Tampa, east of Downtown.
“The vision for a new Tampa Bay Sun FC stadium is rooted in creating opportunity, celebrating excellence, and laying down a cornerstone for Ybor City’s continued revitalization,” said Darryl Shaw, majority owner of Tampa Bay Sun FC and master developer of Ybor Harbor. “We believe in the power of sport to inspire, unite, and drive meaningful change. By anchoring this historic neighborhood with a vibrant home for women’s professional soccer, we’re investing in our city’s future and honoring the community that makes it thrive.”
Rendering courtesy of USL
The stadium would anchor Ybor Harbor, a 33-acre mixed-use development featuring residential, retail, restaurants, hotels, and office towers that will house the USL’s headquarters. Based in Tampa Bay with more than 120 employees, the USL is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in North America, with 38 professional men’s teams, a new men’s Division One league launching in 2028, and eight teams competing in the USL Super League — a first division women’s league that debuted in 2024 with the Tampa Bay Sun as one of its founding clubs.
“This project will provide a premier new headquarters for the USL — one that reflects the energy, ambition, and growth of our leagues,” said Alec Papadakis, USL Chief Executive Officer. “By collaborating with Darryl Shaw and Tampa Bay Sun FC, we’re accelerating the growth of women’s soccer while creating lasting benefits for Tampa Bay. The stadium development will be a place where fans and community come together and celebrate our sport – here in Tampa Bay and across the country.”
The stadium vision, designed by The Beck Group, does not yet have an anticipated start date or cost, at the moment.
What an ambitious project! Wonder if the Rowdies eventually end up there as well (as much as I'd hate to see them leave St Pete)
To clarify, will this be a public: private partnership? I know that Kartik mentions that the cost is unknown at this moment (last line of the article), but it certainly looks like > $200 million price tag for just the stadium alone, given the sun-shielding overhangs.....
Regarding the Rowdies, it should have been pointed out that the 15K seats make it Pro/Rel Division 1 eligible!