Union Omaha stadium plan presented

Alliance Sports, owner of United Soccer League (USL) club Union Omaha, has unveiled plans for a new stadium that intends to be the centrepiece of a $300m (£233.6m/€275.9m) mixed-use project located in the downtown riverfront area of Nebraska’s largest city.

Union Omaha currently competes in USL League One, the third tier of the US soccer pyramid, and plays at Werner Park in Papillion, sharing the stadium with fellow Alliance Sports-owned club the Omaha Storm Chasers, Triple-A affiliate of MLB franchise Kansas City Royals.

The 7,000-seat soccer stadium will serve as the new home for Union Omaha, Nebraska’s only professional soccer team, along with a potential women’s team in the future. Construction of the $60m stadium is expected to start in autumn 2024, with doors opening to the public in the spring of 2026.

The project is actively pursuing legislation inclusion in the Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act, anticipating a cumulative support of $25m for the stadium over 20 years.

The 18-acre mixed-use project is also set to comprise approximately 330 residential units, a significant retail component of around 100,000 square feet, and a 140-room hotel. It has received the backing of Omaha Mayor, Jean Stothert.

“This district will help add to the exciting development already happening in downtown Omaha,” said Gary Green, co-founder of Alliance Sports.

“It falls in line with the Chamber’s Urban Core Strategic Plan for bringing economic development and jobs to the heart of the city and we are very excited to see it moving forward.”

An economic impact study conducted in 2021 projected the stadium would have a $99m impact on the State of Nebraska and $168m to the City of Omaha. The surrounding development is expected to further contribute with a projected $200m impact and the creation of 450 new jobs.

Machete Group is set to lead the project’s development. In October, Machete was named as part of the team that will deliver a planned sports and entertainment district adjacent to the recently renamed Kia Center, home of NBA franchise the Orlando Magic.

“This project will move professional soccer forward in Omaha and across the state,” said Martie Cordaro, Union Omaha president.

“We anticipate 150 to 200 events a year will take place in the district including 20-plus Union Omaha pro soccer matches, 15-plus women’s team soccer matches, 20-plus high school/college soccer matches, and 100-plus community events for everyone to enjoy.”