USL Championship club Phoenix Rising has detailed plans to develop a new stadium in the Gila River Indian Community area.
Phoenix Rising, Arizona’s highest-ranked association football team, currently plays its home matches at south Scottsdale’s Casino Arizona Field, which has a capacity of 6,200.
The move to the new stadium will increase the club’s seating capacity by more than 35 per cent and also enable future expansion.
The move will also improve VIP luxury suites, as well as speed entry and exit from the stadium complex. Phoenix Rising will also relocate its training facilities to the Gila River Indian Community.
Other additions will include an enhanced video board, a larger press box, improved sound and a new family-friendly general admission section. The plans also include a permanent ticket office, new locker rooms and an on-site administrative office.
Phoenix Rising governor Berke Bakay said: “Since the launch of Phoenix Rising FC in 2016, fan support has been consistently increasing. Prior to COVID-19, 23 consecutive matches at Casino Arizona Field were sold out due to our amazing supporters. This move will immediately increase stadium seating by more than 35 per cent and also provide room for future expansion.”
Stephen Lewis, Gila River Indian Community governor, added: “The Gila River Indian Community has a history of successful partnerships with many professional and collegiate sports teams in the Valley. We are very much looking forward to having Phoenix Rising be the first to play its games within our community.”
The new stadium site will be located south of Gila River Hotels & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass near the junction of I-10 and 202 south freeways. The complex will feature multiple paved roads for quick entry and exit, a paved VIP parking lot and permanent toilet facilities for fans.
The new training facility and stadium are slated for completion before the start of the 2021 USL Championship season, which is set to begin on May 1. The club spent four years discussing possible stadium locations before selecting Wild Horse Pass.
Image: Phoenix Rising/Odell
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