Redevelopment seeks to reestablish Toyota Stadium in MLS pecking order

Frisco City Council has approved a $182m (£137.7m/€163.6m) public-private partnership with FC Dallas that aims to restore Toyota Stadium to being one of the premier venues in Major League Soccer (MLS).

The renovation, which will begin in 2025, will seek to enhance the guest experience by integrating innovative designs, cutting-edge audio/visual technology and a variety of fan-first amenities at the third-oldest soccer-specific venue in MLS, which has also been home to Frisco Independent School District (FISD) athletic events since 2005.

FC Dallas has partnered with HKS Architects and Manhattan Construction Group on the project, which once complete will see Toyota Stadium’s capacity increase from 19,096 to approximately 22,500 seats. The venture, which was first mooted in May, envisions the following upgrades:

• Expanded Seating Capacity: Club seating capacity will increase by 175%, suite capacity by 58% and overall stadium seating by more than 10%.
• Roof Structure: A visually distinctive roof structure will shade the majority of seats in the Toyota Stadium bowl.
• Advanced Audio-Visual Technology: New scoreboards, video signage and a cutting-edge sound system will enhance the gameday experience.
• New Suite Levels: Two new suite levels will offer varied seating configurations.
• Dedicated Club Entrances: Enhanced east and west club entrances will ensure efficient ingress and egress for suite and club seat holders.
• Modern Club Spaces: Refined club spaces on both the east and west sides will provide premium food, beverage and entertainment options.
• Increased Concessions: A planned 59% increase in concession points-of-sale will expand the game day menu and ensure quicker service for all attendees.
• Upgraded Media Facilities: New press box, media and broadcast suites will deliver cutting-edge technological upgrades.
• Improved Accessibility: Enhanced mobility throughout the stadium will better accommodate guests with physical differences.
• More Restrooms: A projected 26% increase in restroom facilities will improve convenience for all visitors.
• Stadium Field Enhancements: Upgraded field drainage system for more efficient water clearance.
• Largest Video Board in MLS in a Soccer-Specific Venue: The proposed video board will measure 6,000 square feet.

The construction will be carried out in phases, with work on the east side of the stadium slated to begin after Toyota Stadium’s staging of the FCS Championship college football game on January 6. The west side of the stadium will remain operational during the 2025 MLS season, and FC Dallas plans to continue hosting MLS matches at Toyota Stadium throughout the renovation process. Stadium capacity will be reduced to between 10,500 and 11,500 during this time.

The summer of 2026 is expected to see the east side reopen while construction begins on the west side. The new-look Toyota Stadium is projected to be ready in the first quarter of 2028.

The Frisco Community Development Corporation (FCDC) will issue sales tax revenue bonds to fund $182m and contribute $40m for its share. The City of Frisco and FISD will use a tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) to fund their $77m contribution. FC Dallas owners the Hunt family will be responsible for up to $65m, as well as any cost overruns exceeding the $182m total.

The development agreement set out yesterday (Tuesday) also extends the stadium lease by more than 30 years, through 2057. “When Toyota Stadium opened in 2005, it was a state-of-the-art facility that was ahead of its time, and the stadium’s success has helped pave the way for dozens of other soccer-specific stadiums across the country,” said FC Dallas chairman and CEO, Clark Hunt.

“We are delighted to announce these renovations which will modernise the stadium and elevate the fan experience, once again establishing Toyota Stadium as one of the premier facilities in Major League Soccer.”

Mayor Jeff Cheney added: “We are grateful to Clark and Dan Hunt for being part of an already successful public-private partnership that will span the next 30 years.

“This stadium was built more than 20 years ago on an empty field which, at the time, seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Today, Toyota Stadium is synonymous with championships, marquee events and youth development leagues not to mention being home to Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas. We embrace Toyota Stadium as an important part of our history, culture and economic success.”

Claure returns to MLS with NYCFC

In other MLS news, New York City FC (NYCFC) has announced the addition of billionaire Marcelo Claure to its ownership group with an investment equivalent to approximately 10% of the company’s post-investment value.

Claure has been appointed co-vice chairman of NYCFC, taking an approximately 10% holding in City Football Group US Holdco LLC, which has combined ownership over the club and its future stadium in Willets Point, Queens. The deal values this entity at around $1.5bn, according to Sportico.

Claure joins NYCFC founding shareholders, City Football Group (CFG) and Yankee Global Enterprises. Under the new ownership structure NYCFC’s parent company will be 80% majority owned by CFG, with Yankee Global Enterprises and Claure each holding approximately 10% of the company.

The agreement rekindles Claure’s ties to MLS. He was a co-founder of Inter Miami before being bought out in 2021. The founder and CEO of global investment firm Claure Group already holds a strong relationship with CFG.

In 2020, Claure became an investor of Spanish LaLiga team Girona, a sister club of NYCFC within the CFG network. In 2021, Club Bolívar, the Bolivian team where Claure is the president, became a CFG partner club.

Earlier this month, NYCFC appointed Klutch Sports Group and its Global Partnerships division as the agency of record for founding partnerships at the club’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium. New York City Council in April voted overwhelmingly to approve the next phase of the Willets Point Redevelopment project, including NYCFC’s stadium.

The new stadium will be 100% privately financed, seat approximately 25,000 people, and be the first fully electric sports stadium in New York City and MLS. The stadium is scheduled to open ahead of the 2027 MLS regular season.