Major League Soccer franchise Nashville SC has confirmed that its new stadium, which will be the largest soccer-specific venue in North America, will open on May 1 next year.
The 30,000-seat stadium will host Nashville SC’s first home game of the 2022 MLS season against Philadelphia Union. Confirmation of the opening date means that the stadium will be completed one month ahead of schedule.
Nashville SC joined MLS in 2020 and has been playing home games at Nissan Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, while its new stadium is being built. The club is expected to play the first six or seven matches of next season away from home while the stadium is being completed.
Nashville SC has already sold 18,000 season tickets for its debut campaign at the new stadium. The majority of premium seating, which includes private suites, loge boxes and other clubs, is now sold out, with just 10% of the inventory remaining.
The new stadium will feature a 360-degree canopy, a 65-foot-wide shared concourse, safe standing and 150 feet of distance between the last row to the touchline.
Nashville SC chief executive Ian Ayre said: “The opportunity to announce the date of our first game in our new stadium represents the culmination of a lot of hard work, effort and commitment from so many people.
“What at some points in our journey seemed like an impossible task and so far in the distance is now very much in sight and that initial dream is fast becoming a reality. I know we are all looking forward to moving in and making this the spiritual home of Nashville Soccer Club.”
In April, Nashville SC selected audiovisual systems manufacturer Daktronics to design, manufacture and install six LED displays at the stadium. The displays will provide game-day entertainment and information for fans. A main video display will be included at one end of the facility, with further auxiliary, fascia, field-level and entry displays to also be fitted.
The stadium is costing around $335m (£282m/€377m) to build and will be located on the Nashville Fairgrounds site in the Wedgewood-Houston neighbourhood, just two miles south of downtown Nashville.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Nashville SC would transition to the Western Conference after making the switch to the Eastern Conference due to COVID-19 scheduling in its debut season last year.
Image: Nashville SC
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