Work has commenced on a 10,000-seat stadium that is intended to be the new home of USL League One club Greenville Triumph and its affiliate team Greenville Liberty, which plays in the USL W League.
The Triumph and Liberty, in partnership with the City of Mauldin and Hughes Investments, have staged a groundbreaking ceremony for what is expected to be a multi-use sports and entertainment stadium for the South Carolina city.
“Today, we are taking a significant step toward realising our vision of creating a stadium that embodies the best of the Upstate community,” said Joe Erwin, chairman and owner of Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty.
“This stadium will be more than just a home for the Greenville Triumph and Liberty; it will be a place where champions are crowned, families gather, and communities unite. It will be a hub for our youth athletes, concertgoers, and community celebrations – a place where memories will be made for generations to come.”
The groundbreaking event had a high-profile attendee in the shape of Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho, who joined the ownership group of the two clubs last year.
The stadium will be a collaborative effort between Greenville Pro Soccer, the State of South Carolina, the City of Mauldin, and Hughes Investments, developer of its BridgeWay Station location. Along with being the permanent home for Triumph and Liberty, the stadium is intended to serve as a hub for professional and youth sports while hosting field sports such as lacrosse, rugby, and football, as well as staging concerts, festivals, and various community events.
“This project represents not just a new stadium, but a new chapter in Mauldin’s growth and development,” said Mauldin Mayor Terry Merritt. “We are bringing the world to Mauldin by embracing the world’s game. This facility will create jobs and attract visitors and inspire the next generation of athletes in our community.”
Plans for the stadium were revealed in October after a development agreement was signed with Hughes Investments. The project is expected to cost between $80m (£61.9m/€73.6m) and $100m, with funding received from the ownership group, the city and state, and Hughes Investments.
Designs are expected to be revealed in June, with a planned opening in 2026 to tie in with that year’s FIFA World Cup, which the US will co-host alongside Canada and Mexico.
