Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

[Garrett]

Union Omaha Press Release. Nothing that the City Council brief doesn't already say.

https://www.unionomaha.com/news/2025/11 ... -district/

[cpmoore1984]

Their rendering of the MOO tower has an addition to the top that I'm not familiar with.

[2Adam29]

Their rendering of the MOO tower has an addition to the top that I'm not familiar with.

It appears to be the rendering from ground level looking at the tower from the east, so the center portion looks like an addition. So I think it's just a messy copy/paste from the wrong angle, the height difference isn't that pronounced either.

[Greg S]

I really hope this comes to fruition. I did like the previous site slightly better if it had incorporated the Missouri better. More like KC with the Current's stadium. It has killer views from the river and to the river. Also a great doorway for downtown coming in on I 35 (which I 29 merges into) from the north. Absolutely spectacular.

That being said, this location ties better and more directly into the area north of the stadium including Millwork Commons. Plus should look good for those flying into Eppley and headed downtown.

Lots of work ahead to make this a reality. Fingers crossed. This would be awesome for Omaha.

Greg

[Linkin5]

Glad to see progress on this. It looks like the design of the stadium has been pared down quite a bit from the original plan.

[nebport5]

Glad to see progress on this. It looks like the design of the stadium has been pared down quite a bit from the original plan.

Yes, I definitely prefer the earlier rendering with stand coverage on both sides. I can see advertising to Eppley travelers with the “Union Omaha” on the roof but no apparent signage on the Abbott side?

[Garrett]

Glad to see progress on this. It looks like the design of the stadium has been pared down quite a bit from the original plan.

When they announced the Gallup stadium in January 2024, they estimated the stadium would cost $60 million. Now the budget is $114 million. I imagine current economic policies are responsible for a not insignificant portion of that difference.

[nebport5]

It sounds more like 140 million.

From The Examiner...

New $140M Union Omaha soccer stadium, mixed-use village could hinge on paused state sports incentive

Union Omaha officials foresee a 24-hour village with an estimated 500 residences occupied in part by athletes. Shops, dining and offices would surround the sports complex that also would be home to a new women’s soccer team and feature various community and sporting events.

“It’s been a long and winding circular road, but we’re very happy,” said Larry Botel of Alliance Sports, which owns Union Soccer. He anticipates up to $400 million in development on the 20 acres, beyond the stadium investment.

It would have 6,500 fixed seats, with overall capacity reaching about 8,500 fans who could also be in the berm and standing-room spaces. The estimated $140 million includes infrastructure costs as well.

The plans come to light on the heels of statements by Pillen, who has been skeptical about the use of a turnback tax via the Sports Arena Facilities Financing Assistance Act.

Under the related law, for an applicant to tap into the incentive, the governor has to be among a majority vote of the SAFFAA board. He said he would not consider approval of any project until next June

[djc311]

Wowt has this now:
https://www.wowt.com/2025/11/21/union-o ... ity-omaha/

The way this reads, it sounds like a "done deal", right? I don't see a lot of mention of "proposed", etc... the other locations or announcements appeared to be more of a hopeful get.

[Garrett]

Leave it to Cindy Gonzalez to do some actual reporting beyond the press release! To compare the two developments:

Jan 2024 Gallup Plan

18 acres
$300 million total development budget
$60 million 7,000 seat stadium (infrastructure and acquisition costs not included)
300 residences
140 room hotel
Unspecified retail component
Open Spring 2026

Nov 2025 Millwork Plan

20 acres
$400 million total development budget
$140 million 6,500 seat stadium with capacity of 8,500 on berm and standing spaces (infrastructure and acquisition costs included)
500 residences
No hotel mentioned
Unspecified retail and office component
Open for 2028 season

[Busguy2010]

I won't downplay the potential accompanied development, but I just saw on WOWT, the question of the day was "Are you interested in the sport of soccer?" The answer was a resounding "No". Created a bit of an awkward moment for Dave Z

I personally don't care about soccer at all, but if this is good for the city, it's good for the city. I don't make the call. Though, if Morrison or even Central would be enough capacity for them just as a spectator sports club, do we really need another stadium taking up space Downtown? We had this discussion a number of years ago, and back then it was essentially paraphrased "why use that much of our available developable Downtown land on sports fields?"

Even the Nighthawks made the ballpark work and they averaged 15,000 per game in a dying league and only played 3 games.

[omahahawk]

It sounds more like 140 million.

From The Examiner...

New $140M Union Omaha soccer stadium, mixed-use village could hinge on paused state sports incentive

Union Omaha officials foresee a 24-hour village with an estimated 500 residences occupied in part by athletes. Shops, dining and offices would surround the sports complex that also would be home to a new women’s soccer team and feature various community and sporting events.

“It’s been a long and winding circular road, but we’re very happy,” said Larry Botel of Alliance Sports, which owns Union Soccer. He anticipates up to $400 million in development on the 20 acres, beyond the stadium investment.

It would have 6,500 fixed seats, with overall capacity reaching about 8,500 fans who could also be in the berm and standing-room spaces. The estimated $140 million includes infrastructure costs as well.

The plans come to light on the heels of statements by Pillen, who has been skeptical about the use of a turnback tax via the Sports Arena Facilities Financing Assistance Act.

Under the related law, for an applicant to tap into the incentive, the governor has to be among a majority vote of the SAFFAA board. He said he would not consider approval of any project until next June

This would be Incredible if it actually happens but it's the last thing here that kind of concerns me. Not sure there is really a whole lot of love for the blue dot in the state legislature. Do you think this could actually prevent this from becoming a reality?

[Garrett]

It sounds more like 140 million.

From The Examiner...

New $140M Union Omaha soccer stadium, mixed-use village could hinge on paused state sports incentive

Union Omaha officials foresee a 24-hour village with an estimated 500 residences occupied in part by athletes. Shops, dining and offices would surround the sports complex that also would be home to a new women’s soccer team and feature various community and sporting events.

“It’s been a long and winding circular road, but we’re very happy,” said Larry Botel of Alliance Sports, which owns Union Soccer. He anticipates up to $400 million in development on the 20 acres, beyond the stadium investment.

It would have 6,500 fixed seats, with overall capacity reaching about 8,500 fans who could also be in the berm and standing-room spaces. The estimated $140 million includes infrastructure costs as well.

The plans come to light on the heels of statements by Pillen, who has been skeptical about the use of a turnback tax via the Sports Arena Facilities Financing Assistance Act.

Under the related law, for an applicant to tap into the incentive, the governor has to be among a majority vote of the SAFFAA board. He said he would not consider approval of any project until next June

This would be Incredible if it actually happens but it's the last thing here that kind of concerns me. Not sure there is really a whole lot of love for the blue dot in the state legislature. Do you think this could actually prevent this from becoming a reality?

Yeah I have definitely had my worries that Ewing’s election would lead to less cooperation at the state level.

[nebport5]

It sounds more like 140 million.

From The Examiner...

New $140M Union Omaha soccer stadium, mixed-use village could hinge on paused state sports incentive

Union Omaha officials foresee a 24-hour village with an estimated 500 residences occupied in part by athletes. Shops, dining and offices would surround the sports complex that also would be home to a new women’s soccer team and feature various community and sporting events.

“It’s been a long and winding circular road, but we’re very happy,” said Larry Botel of Alliance Sports, which owns Union Soccer. He anticipates up to $400 million in development on the 20 acres, beyond the stadium investment.

It would have 6,500 fixed seats, with overall capacity reaching about 8,500 fans who could also be in the berm and standing-room spaces. The estimated $140 million includes infrastructure costs as well.

The plans come to light on the heels of statements by Pillen, who has been skeptical about the use of a turnback tax via the Sports Arena Facilities Financing Assistance Act.

Under the related law, for an applicant to tap into the incentive, the governor has to be among a majority vote of the SAFFAA board. He said he would not consider approval of any project until next June

This would be Incredible if it actually happens but it's the last thing here that kind of concerns me. Not sure there is really a whole lot of love for the blue dot in the state legislature. Do you think this could actually prevent this from becoming a reality?

The blue dot isn’t the potential issue with this project as I imagine most Republicans would support this kind of economic revenue generating development. Rather, the issue at state level is with the governor who's facing repeated budget shortfalls and is heck bent on keeping additional people out of the state, accelerating brain drain, and spurning any common sense revenue sources to continue his culture crusade regressing this state further back to some idealized antiseptic utopian Mayberry that's free of fun, democratic process, the will of the people, minorities and anyone other than christian white people.

I just hope the city and Union Omaha have a plan B to circumvent Pillen’s pigheaded playbook.

[omahahawk]

Yeah....wasn't necessarily go that far into it but that's pretty much what I was getting at. I would hope common sense will prevail over partisan politics and particularly over petty personal grievances. Just hope this isn't like last time where we had a big announcement around the first of the year and were told groundbreaking would happen in the summer only to hear little or nothing again until it fell through. Seems to me that having to wait until June to get some kind of nod from the governor might make it difficult to have play start in 2028. Our leaders need to realize this is not only good for Omaha but also the entire state.

[F0R_L1F3]

There's numerous other projects across the state that have had issue with incentives from this program also, ones that have been backed by key figures like with volleyball in Lincoln. Disappointing because all of these projects not only spur economic development but as you go incrementally with what projects are still on hold because of the lack of funding, they help with other problems like brain drains especially in smaller towns.

[omahahawk]

FWIW, I think this time it will happen.... probably not without a lot of consternation but ultimately... yes. This is a little different from a youth sports complex(I would hope). I would have to think that with all the entities involved, work put in, and potential return for a project of this type it would green lighted or at least have a contingency as it relates to the current financial/political environment.

[GenX]

It’s almost as if Pillen is begging to be recalled as governor.

The tide has turned against his mentors, Pricketts and the pumpkin prez, and those that act just like him are likely to suffer similar fates/defeats.

He most certainly will not be re-elected, neither will Pricketts. All his commercials blatantly lying about his “accomplishments” and labeling his opponent via selective edits will come back to haunt him when people finally realize it was just a con to steal money from citizens.

People are finally starting to wake up and see things for what they are.

[djc311]

It’s almost as if Pillen is begging to be recalled as governor.

The tide has turned against his mentors, Pricketts and the pumpkin prez, and those that act just like him are likely to suffer similar fates/defeats.

He most certainly will not be re-elected, neither will Pricketts. All his commercials blatantly lying about his “accomplishments” and labeling his opponent via selective edits will come back to haunt him when people finally realize it was just a con to steal money from citizens.

People are finally starting to wake up and see things for what they are.

I can’t stand any of them and it’s a very sad state of affairs that they are what we have to represent us a citizens of the state and country we live in.

[Renovator2559]

Gov is narrow minded in agriculture especially his pig farms. He is not emphasizing the Omaha financial insurance economic power. Only his stability in other areas were good.

The soccer stadium is poised to expand Millwork Commons.

[nebport5]

It’s almost as if Pillen is begging to be recalled as governor.

The tide has turned against his mentors, Pricketts and the pumpkin prez, and those that act just like him are likely to suffer similar fates/defeats.

He most certainly will not be re-elected, neither will Pricketts. All his commercials blatantly lying about his “accomplishments” and labeling his opponent via selective edits will come back to haunt him when people finally realize it was just a con to steal money from citizens.

People are finally starting to wake up and see things for what they are.

Or rather that he’s enjoying that this state has no recall provision for the governor.

[djc311]

It’s almost as if Pillen is begging to be recalled as governor.

The tide has turned against his mentors, Pricketts and the pumpkin prez, and those that act just like him are likely to suffer similar fates/defeats.

He most certainly will not be re-elected, neither will Pricketts. All his commercials blatantly lying about his “accomplishments” and labeling his opponent via selective edits will come back to haunt him when people finally realize it was just a con to steal money from citizens.

People are finally starting to wake up and see things for what they are.

Or rather that he’s enjoying that this state has no recall provision for the governor.

I don't know anything about her, but I hope we continue to see candidates that run against the pig (farmer). LOL

https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-g ... n/69514033

Probably need to get back on topic before they shut us down.

[omaha79]

I won't downplay the potential accompanied development, but I just saw on WOWT, the question of the day was "Are you interested in the sport of soccer?" The answer was a resounding "No". Created a bit of an awkward moment for Dave Z

I personally don't care about soccer at all, but if this is good for the city, it's good for the city. I don't make the call. Though, if Morrison or even Central would be enough capacity for them just as a spectator sports club, do we really need another stadium taking up space Downtown? We had this discussion a number of years ago, and back then it was essentially paraphrased "why use that much of our available developable Downtown land on sports fields?"

Even the Nighthawks made the ballpark work and they averaged 15,000 per game in a dying league and only played 3 games.

Whether we "need" another soccer stadium isn't really the question. We've already established the limitations on Morrison Stadium due to Creighton's tax exempt status on the land and inability to host too many "for profit" events at that facility. Long term, there would be no rationale to upgrade Morrison for professional soccer. It's just been a really poor narrative from people in this city that aren't willing to do any actual research into the issue and just see a facility and say "well you should be using that."

And, if CU can't lease out more than about 15 dates a year to Union right now, it kills the idea of a women's team or an academy team.

The question really is: Does Omaha value professional sports enough to invest in them? Or, do we want to see another professional sports entertainment option go by the wayside because of regressive conservative politics?

[nebport5]

It’s almost as if Pillen is begging to be recalled as governor.

The tide has turned against his mentors, Pricketts and the pumpkin prez, and those that act just like him are likely to suffer similar fates/defeats.

He most certainly will not be re-elected, neither will Pricketts. All his commercials blatantly lying about his “accomplishments” and labeling his opponent via selective edits will come back to haunt him when people finally realize it was just a con to steal money from citizens.

People are finally starting to wake up and see things for what they are.

Or rather that he’s enjoying that this state has no recall provision for the governor.

I don't know anything about her, but I hope we continue to see candidates that run against the pig (farmer). LOL

https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-g ... n/69514033

Probably need to get back on topic before they shut us down.

Back on topic…I don’t have a lot of faith in this project if it hinges on the turnback tax.

Waiting until next June for a hopeful green light to hopefully start construction in the last 6 months of the year to get the stadium ready for the 2028 season…yeah I don’t like those odds.

[Greg S]

It’s almost as if Pillen is begging to be recalled as governor.

The tide has turned against his mentors, Pricketts and the pumpkin prez, and those that act just like him are likely to suffer similar fates/defeats.

He most certainly will not be re-elected, neither will Pricketts. All his commercials blatantly lying about his “accomplishments” and labeling his opponent via selective edits will come back to haunt him when people finally realize it was just a con to steal money from citizens.

People are finally starting to wake up and see things for what they are.

Or rather that he’s enjoying that this state has no recall provision for the governor.

I don't know anything about her, but I hope we continue to see candidates that run against the pig (farmer). LOL

https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-g ... n/69514033

Probably need to get back on topic before they shut us down.

Back on topic…I don’t have a lot of faith in this project if it hinges on the turnback tax.

Waiting until next June for a hopeful green light to hopefully start construction in the last 6 months of the year to get the stadium ready for the 2028 season…yeah I don’t like those odds.

What type of tax had been approved for it when it was going to be over by Gallup?

[Garrett]

It’s almost as if Pillen is begging to be recalled as governor.

The tide has turned against his mentors, Pricketts and the pumpkin prez, and those that act just like him are likely to suffer similar fates/defeats.

He most certainly will not be re-elected, neither will Pricketts. All his commercials blatantly lying about his “accomplishments” and labeling his opponent via selective edits will come back to haunt him when people finally realize it was just a con to steal money from citizens.

People are finally starting to wake up and see things for what they are.

Or rather that he’s enjoying that this state has no recall provision for the governor.

I don't know anything about her, but I hope we continue to see candidates that run against the pig (farmer). LOL

https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-g ... n/69514033

Probably need to get back on topic before they shut us down.

Back on topic…I don’t have a lot of faith in this project if it hinges on the turnback tax.

Waiting until next June for a hopeful green light to hopefully start construction in the last 6 months of the year to get the stadium ready for the 2028 season…yeah I don’t like those odds.

What type of tax had been approved for it when it was going to be over by Gallup?

Nothing had been approved for that announcement either, but they were going to be dependent on the same credit

[Greg S]

The "Sports Arena Facility Financing Act" (LB1317) was passed by the Nebraska Legislature today 49-0. That's the turnbax tax bill -- adding soccer to the list of eligible facilities. It authorizes $25m toward the stadium.

https://www.unionomaha.com/news/2024/04 ... r-stadium/

This is what I was referring to.

Greg

[Busguy2010]

The question really is: Does Omaha value professional sports enough to invest in them? Or, do we want to see another professional sports entertainment option go by the wayside because of regressive conservative politics?

I would if it was Football, basketball, or baseball. It being 6,000 seats says they don't expect a lot of butts in seats, so why should we pay for it?

Compare it to the streetcar, I don't think a soccer stadium would bring the same natural development unless it was incentivized.

Losing a soccer team if we don't pay for it wouldn't be the end of the world in my book. They don't have the biggest flex.

[omaha79]

The question really is: Does Omaha value professional sports enough to invest in them? Or, do we want to see another professional sports entertainment option go by the wayside because of regressive conservative politics?

I would if it was Football, basketball, or baseball. It being 6,000 seats says they don't expect a lot of butts in seats, so why should we pay for it?

Compare it to the streetcar, I don't think a soccer stadium would bring the same natural development unless it was incentivized.

Losing a soccer team if we don't pay for it wouldn't be the end of the world in my book. They don't have the biggest flex.

This mentality right here is why Omaha is a terrible sports town for anything that's not NCAA. We have champagne tastes, but a bathtub hooch budget. Unwilling to invest in anything to help it grow or look at the big picture. We pine to be "major league" and whine that we can't have NHL, NBA, MLS, etc. But, would never in a million years be willing to spend the kind of money it takes to support those products. We'd want 2 for 1 tickets, dollar beers, free parking, and the stadium needs to be no more than 2 miles from everyone in Omaha's front door or "it's just not worth it to me."

This is why we draw in the lower third of AAA Minor League baseball franchises. This is why, while it looks like the Supernovas draw well, they have to give away a ton of freebie tickets to inflate their attendance numbers. This is why we've never been able to have things like AHL Hockey (it failed spectacularly) or NBA G league. This is why we are struggling to get a stadium built for our USL Soccer franchise. This is part of the reason why we don't retain younger people because we have a general lack of entertainment options that big cities have and the status quo Omahan is happy pretending it's still 1995 and hoping/wishing Nebraska football will somehow fulfill all their sports dreams again.

The way I see it, invest in things if you want a city that has comparable amenities to bigger cities. Yes, USL is not MLS. But, it's a fun product that's growing in popularity. From what I've heard, the ticket drive at Morrison has gone pretty well and Union expects larger crowds than out in Sarpy County now that they'll have an actual soccer pitch to play on downtown. With their own stadium, they could likely move up to USL Championship. With promotion/relegation, they could maybe move up to the USL Premier at some point. A new stadium allows for a women's team and an academy team. That is how you build a fanbase.

We can choose to try to foster an environment where things succeed and we have better entertainment options or just give up and watch things leave like we have so often in the past. And no. you're not getting professional football or basketball. not happening. We have professional baseball and few support it. We are just lucky KC likes our proximity or we likely would have already lost professional baseball.

[almighty_tuna]

Long post

This is a great post that I tried to orate but got too frustrated with to complete. Your take is spot on.

Omaha has had plenty of professional opportunities but the pervasive "it doesn't benefit me, so eff it" mentality drags everything down. Whether it's a streetcar, a pro sports team, or a bike lane....heck, even a youth sports complex in the burbs. These amenities are what drives a community and attracts new residents so we can attain the higher tier sports and attractions.

[Renovator2559]

Many of us are young and we don't care about Pro-sports, nor do we go to KC. The main driver of young people are jobs, jobs, and how low rent and housing is.
Those that claim low entertainment, don't really know how visit Omaha is full of concerts and festivals.

[omaha79]

Many of us are young and we don't care about Pro-sports, nor do we go to KC. The main driver of young people are jobs, jobs, and how low rent and housing is.
Those that claim low entertainment, don't really know how visit Omaha is full of concerts and festivals.

that's your experience, but also a generalization of "young people." I'm a Union Omaha season ticket holder and there are plenty of "young people" that do find value in it. And, Omaha has been well noted as a "brain drain" city due to multiple factors, including lack of medium to large employers, lower entertainment options, etc. And, maybe omaha provides you the concerts and festivals YOU want to see. if so, I'm happy for you, but it can't really be disputed a bulk of artists still bypass Omaha on their way from KC to either Denver or Minneapolis. We get some, but not all. Again, if Omaha gives you exactly what you want/need in terms of entertainment, good on you, but to try to say that Omaha has even a fraction of what a Kansas City, Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago have, is laughable.

[Renovator2559]

I don't deny that those cities have those attractions but we have to remember that we are at scale. Brain drain will always happen in small markets, the large population centers will always pull young. Only for them to return to Omaha as they age, above the 34 demographic.

I am content and all those factors are secondary but that's just me, I don't deny that our community may want more.

I guess we can go with Des Moines plan of turning Omaha into a nightclub and chase families away from downtown. Not going well for them as a safe vibrant downtown.

[Garrett]

I guess we can go with Des Moines plan of turning Omaha into a nightclub and chase families away from downtown. Not going well for them as a safe vibrant downtown.

Anything can be true when you completely make it up

[Renovator2559]

I guess we can go with Des Moines plan of turning Omaha into a nightclub and chase families away from downtown. Not going well for them as a safe vibrant downtown.

Anything can be true when you completely make it up

Please feel free to look at what happened with Spaghetti Works in Des Moines and what the owner said for their closing

[omaha79]

I don't deny that those cities have those attractions but we have to remember that we are at scale. Brain drain will always happen in small markets, the large population centers will always pull young. Only for them to return to Omaha as they age, above the 34 demographic.

I am content and all those factors are secondary but that's just me, I don't deny that our community may want more.

I guess we can go with Des Moines plan of turning Omaha into a nightclub and chase families away from downtown. Not going well for them as a safe vibrant downtown.

How would adding a soccer stadium make Omaha a nightclub? If anything, that's actually adding family entertainment options. Also, the attempts by Omaha to add the downtown young people nightclub vibe have kind of failed. No one can suggest that Capital District has developed into what developers have intended.

I'm all for further development of North Downtown. I feel a high tide raises all boats. There is a reason businesses have struggled in the North Downtown area near the ballpark. You simply do not have people down there/foot traffic. CHI is far enough away in insulated enough that people choose DJ's, Mattress Factory, and Addy's when going to CHI vs. anything in North Downtown. Creighton baseball is a non-factor. If we could reach a point where we have 5-6k a match at soccer for 15-20 dates a year, add a women's team, and an academy team along with all of State soccer in that area, I'm hopeful that it could spur some growth and development. And, any day to day residents in that area would certainly be a good thing to add.

[Garrett]

I guess we can go with Des Moines plan of turning Omaha into a nightclub and chase families away from downtown. Not going well for them as a safe vibrant downtown.

Anything can be true when you completely make it up

Please feel free to look at what happened with Spaghetti Works in Des Moines and what the owner said for their closing

Oh silly me, I forgot to check to Spaghetti Works index.

https://www.kcci.com/article/spaghetti- ... g/43444685

Stokes blamed the shift to more stay-at-home downtown office workers in Des Moines. She also said the perception of crime in the Court Avenue area kept customers away, leading to the closure.

"There is perception in the Des Moines area that Court Ave. isn't safe. I don't agree with the perception," Stokes said.

Sounds like a hellhole!

[Renovator2559]

Yeah Garrett, we have to continue to balance our night club offerings here in downtown,. While our cute restaurants and stores become family friendly. Its a delicate balance on zoning and we are doing great thus far.

Appreciate your dive in to the Des Moines situation.
We will continue to monitor Des Moines as time goes and learn from them!

[Busguy2010]

This mentality right here is why Omaha is a terrible sports town for anything that's not NCAA. We have champagne tastes, but a bathtub hooch budget. Unwilling to invest in anything to help it grow or look at the big picture. or just give up and watch things leave like we have so often in the past.

So because we're never gonna be a big sports town, I have to force myself to like soccer, and pay for it too.

[almighty_tuna]

So because we're never gonna be a big sports town, I have to force myself to like soccer, and pay for it too.

The horror! I bet some of the players don't speak English, either! What a double whammy for you. Thoughts and prayers.