Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

Downtown, Midtown, and all parts east of 72nd.
nebport5
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Location: 68102

Re: Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

Post by nebport5 »

Erik wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 11:10 pm
nebport5 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 5:08 pm
jomaha9 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 4:55 pm These arguments were the original reason I was thinking the Union Stadium might be too small or too narrowly scoped. Maybe they should design a stadium that could eventually seat 15,000-20,000 if/when Union gets promoted. That would also be about the size needed for UFL football.

I'm still not 100% sold on building a stadium just to seat 5,000 people. I do support building something that can grow with Union Omaha.
And that’s exactly what they are doing. Growth implies something small will get bigger. The 5k or so is the appropriate size for UO in the near future. As they grow so will the stadium capacity.
My issue isnt that, but that the bones of the stadium isnt built for the ability to expand into the Premier League to compete in the top league. Just provide the bones and see if we get there, thats all im saying.
Ok, but what are you basing that assumption on? I think the current expansion capacity numbers have a lot to do with the turn back financing. At the point they could move up to the Premier League, that's years in the future and a whole other financing mechanism. I appreciate your point however, if a good portion of this is indeed modular I imagine that would bode well for bigger upgrades at the point that would be necessary.
"It's just a rendering."
Erik
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Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 5:55 am

Re: Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

Post by Erik »

nebport5 wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 1:31 am
Erik wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 11:10 pm
nebport5 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 5:08 pm
jomaha9 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 4:55 pm These arguments were the original reason I was thinking the Union Stadium might be too small or too narrowly scoped. Maybe they should design a stadium that could eventually seat 15,000-20,000 if/when Union gets promoted. That would also be about the size needed for UFL football.

I'm still not 100% sold on building a stadium just to seat 5,000 people. I do support building something that can grow with Union Omaha.
And that’s exactly what they are doing. Growth implies something small will get bigger. The 5k or so is the appropriate size for UO in the near future. As they grow so will the stadium capacity.
My issue isnt that, but that the bones of the stadium isnt built for the ability to expand into the Premier League to compete in the top league. Just provide the bones and see if we get there, thats all im saying.
Ok, but what are you basing that assumption on? I think the current expansion capacity numbers have a lot to do with the turn back financing. At the point they could move up to the Premier League, that's years in the future and a whole other financing mechanism. I appreciate your point however, if a good portion of this is indeed modular I imagine that would bode well for bigger upgrades at the point that would be necessary.
"The City of Omaha is reviewing the redevelopment agreement for the future Union Omaha soccer stadium in north downtown. The plan calls for a roughly $140 million project with the city owning the stadium and land and leasing the facility to Union Omaha. The stadium is planned for about 5,600 seats with the ability to expand to 7,000, and the agreement calls for completion by the end of 2028."

https://growomaha.com/the-october-3rd- ... ?hl=en-US
nebport5
Planning Board
Posts: 2848
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 8:13 pm
Location: 68102

Re: Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

Post by nebport5 »

Erik wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 3:01 am
nebport5 wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 1:31 am
Erik wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 11:10 pm
nebport5 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 5:08 pm
jomaha9 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 4:55 pm These arguments were the original reason I was thinking the Union Stadium might be too small or too narrowly scoped. Maybe they should design a stadium that could eventually seat 15,000-20,000 if/when Union gets promoted. That would also be about the size needed for UFL football.

I'm still not 100% sold on building a stadium just to seat 5,000 people. I do support building something that can grow with Union Omaha.
And that’s exactly what they are doing. Growth implies something small will get bigger. The 5k or so is the appropriate size for UO in the near future. As they grow so will the stadium capacity.
My issue isnt that, but that the bones of the stadium isnt built for the ability to expand into the Premier League to compete in the top league. Just provide the bones and see if we get there, thats all im saying.
Ok, but what are you basing that assumption on? I think the current expansion capacity numbers have a lot to do with the turn back financing. At the point they could move up to the Premier League, that's years in the future and a whole other financing mechanism. I appreciate your point however, if a good portion of this is indeed modular I imagine that would bode well for bigger upgrades at the point that would be necessary.
"The City of Omaha is reviewing the redevelopment agreement for the future Union Omaha soccer stadium in north downtown. The plan calls for a roughly $140 million project with the city owning the stadium and land and leasing the facility to Union Omaha. The stadium is planned for about 5,600 seats with the ability to expand to 7,000, and the agreement calls for completion by the end of 2028."

https://growomaha.com/the-october-3rd- ... ?hl=en-US
Yeah, again I think that is based upon the limits of the turn back financing. There's no way I believe it couldn't physically be expanded larger once the initial requirements are met.
"It's just a rendering."
Erik
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1535
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 5:55 am

Re: Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

Post by Erik »

nebport5 wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 10:12 am
Erik wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 3:01 am
nebport5 wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 1:31 am
Erik wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 11:10 pm
nebport5 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 5:08 pm
jomaha9 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 4:55 pm These arguments were the original reason I was thinking the Union Stadium might be too small or too narrowly scoped. Maybe they should design a stadium that could eventually seat 15,000-20,000 if/when Union gets promoted. That would also be about the size needed for UFL football.

I'm still not 100% sold on building a stadium just to seat 5,000 people. I do support building something that can grow with Union Omaha.
And that’s exactly what they are doing. Growth implies something small will get bigger. The 5k or so is the appropriate size for UO in the near future. As they grow so will the stadium capacity.
My issue isnt that, but that the bones of the stadium isnt built for the ability to expand into the Premier League to compete in the top league. Just provide the bones and see if we get there, thats all im saying.
Ok, but what are you basing that assumption on? I think the current expansion capacity numbers have a lot to do with the turn back financing. At the point they could move up to the Premier League, that's years in the future and a whole other financing mechanism. I appreciate your point however, if a good portion of this is indeed modular I imagine that would bode well for bigger upgrades at the point that would be necessary.
"The City of Omaha is reviewing the redevelopment agreement for the future Union Omaha soccer stadium in north downtown. The plan calls for a roughly $140 million project with the city owning the stadium and land and leasing the facility to Union Omaha. The stadium is planned for about 5,600 seats with the ability to expand to 7,000, and the agreement calls for completion by the end of 2028."

https://growomaha.com/the-october-3rd- ... ?hl=en-US
Yeah, again I think that is based upon the limits of the turn back financing. There's no way I believe it couldn't physically be expanded larger once the initial requirements are met.
I mean, I haven't seen a single statement indicating anything other than 7k. It'd be nice to get more information.
omaha79
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Re: Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

Post by omaha79 »

In terms of USL Premier, it will be interesting to see if it even lasts. But, if it does, it sounds like there is an expectation of multiple waivers being granted.

The requirements are difficult to hit on all of them, at best.

1. 15k stadium capacity. (That's going to be tough for a bulk of the cities.)
2. Requires 75% of participating teams to be located in metropolitan areas with a population of 1 million or more, spanning at least three different time zones. (probably easier)
3. In accordance with standard Division I financial criteria, a principal owner must possess a net worth of at least $40 million, with a combined group net worth of at least $70 million (plus dedicated operating capital requirements).


It's expected that it will be hard to hit that 15k seat number, especially with promotion/relegation in the mix. Longer term, If Omaha can succeed, 10k would have to be the goal, but there just isn't the market for it now.