Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

[omaha79]

I certainly hope it goes through but it doesn't seem like there's much support from the powers-that-be

I think it's pretty clear the mayor, Omaha City Council, and some business leaders support the stadium. It's really just Pillen that no one knows about.

[Omaha2032]

Really hope this stadium comes to fruition. Would be great to have a facility to host a UFL team in.

OKC was just awarded a team for 2028, so if this is completed, Omaha would definitely be on the expansion list.

Spring football in downtown Omaha would do really well in this market.

[Garrett]

I keep forgetting we're UFLing again

[omaha79]

Really hope this stadium comes to fruition. Would be great to have a facility to host a UFL team in.

OKC was just awarded a team for 2028, so if this is completed, Omaha would definitely be on the expansion list.

Spring football in downtown Omaha would do really well in this market.

This is a non-factor to me. I can see why some people might be interested in it, and I'd assume the stadium would have the capability, but I'd have zero interest if it means that the soccer pitch would be muddled up with permanent football lines.

Absolutely nothing is worse on television than those field that have football lines, soccer lines, la crosse, and field hockey.

I have zero interest in something like this and would prefer not having a UFL team than having to deal with a monstrosity like this. It would have to be contingent on changing the field, which I'd imagine would be cost prohibitive.

Last year, Greenville Triumph had a situation like this and it made the product unwatchable.



This is a HARD PASS for me.

We are trying to create a soccer specific home for Union Omaha, a women's team, a club team, state soccer, and soccer exhibitions. Not some Frankensteins monster including UFL to placate US football fans. So, I'd be very careful with that line of thinking.

[omaha79]

Looking online, it sounds like there is a clean look possible with specialized painting techniques and/or scrubbinb systems that can paint on the US football look and quickly remove it for the clean soccer pitch. If Omaha is willing to do that and the will exists to bring a team, so be it. I have little interest in the increased wear and tear an American football team would add and no interest in changing the dimensions or design to accomodate anything that's not standard to soccer.

I'd also expect the UFL team pays for any changeover and not Union Omaha or the City of Omaha. Either way, my care for this is mild at absolute best.

[BuildTaller]

This is a HARD PASS for me.

lol, that field is such garbage. Do they have a 3 point line? I'll be donating my Union gear to the Goodwill if that situation happens. I've never even heard of the UFL and was expecting it to be another Football League...aka soccer league.

[almighty_tuna]

Do they have a 3 point line?

Technically, it's a two point line for lacross.

[omaha79]

This is a HARD PASS for me.

lol, that field is such garbage. Do they have a 3 point line? I'll be donating my Union gear to the Goodwill if that situation happens. I've never even heard of the UFL and was expecting it to be another Football League...aka soccer league.

Both Lexington and Greenville have found themselves in this nightmare. I can't see a scenario where Union Omaha would agree to this with their own stadium, but local politics sometimes are what they are.

I'd rather see Union fold and the stadium not be built than deal with something like this on a permanent basis.

Horrible. Watching this match last year actually gave me a migraine....

[Omaha2032]

UFL attendance numbers have been increasing this year and have great tv coverage with Major league cities.

Would be great to fill the stadium and get people there cause not sure if semi pro soccer alone can do that.

[omaha79]

UFL attendance numbers have been increasing this year and have great tv coverage with Major league cities.

Would be great to fill the stadium and get people there cause not sure if semi pro soccer alone can do that.

Skewed and flawed rationale.

UFL Attendance is averaging 12,770 per game and that's with St. Louis averaging over 30k a game, which is actually less interest than they used to have a few years ago.

In 2024, the UFL averaged 13,512 per game with St. Louis averaging over 40k a game.

In 2025, the UFL averaged 12,162.

So, while the average attendance is up, it's by minute margins and not pointing to a healthy league.

Yes, big investors and media companies continually throw good money at bad in the UFL, because they want it to succeed. It's basically business, municipal, and millionaire wishcasting.

I'd absolutely put my money on the idea that between the UFL and USL, the UFL is infinitely more likely to be out of business in 5 years than the USL. Way more overhead and cost even with a slightly better TV deal. I've seen these games on tv at bars, and with the exception of St. Louis, it's a morgue/ghost town at nearly every stadium. 1-2 healthy teams in a league does not a functional league create, as Omaha learned with the last UFL debacle with the Nighthawks/Mammoth. The non-St. Louis average for UFL attendance has generally been under 10k a game, but might be slightly higher this year.

Again, no issue with UFL if the UFL team handles all costs of changeover and can create a field that cannot be perceptible when changed back over to soccer.

[Linkin5]

There will never be a viable second pro football league in America. They’ll keep trying and the leagues will keep folding.

[omaha79]

There will never be a viable second pro football league in America. They’ll keep trying and the leagues will keep folding.

Not to turn this into a UFL discussion, but I would be shocked if that league exists in 5 years. If it does, it will remain volatile and have multiple ownership changes, etc. Any city building a facility should not be doing so with the idea of attracting UFL football as it's fools gold. Now, some might say, "isn't the USL the same thing?" It's kind of a fair question and I've criticized the USL as a sort of ponzi scheme in certain ways as well. But, the threshold for success in mid level pro soccer in the US is much lower with lower operating costs, insurance costs, and smaller roster sizes. I don't know that the cost to the turf by having pro football games makes a ton of sense and only makes sense if Omaha's buy in is small to non-existent, with only private investment and in a way that doesn't intrude on Omaha's ability to obtain a women's soccer team, academy, etc. I'll agree that spring usage of the field would be advantageous, but the cost has to be measured in multiple ways.

[Greg S]

UFL attendance numbers have been increasing this year and have great tv coverage with Major league cities.

Would be great to fill the stadium and get people there cause not sure if semi pro soccer alone can do that.

Skewed and flawed rationale.

UFL Attendance is averaging 12,770 per game and that's with St. Louis averaging over 30k a game, which is actually less interest than they used to have a few years ago.

In 2024, the UFL averaged 13,512 per game with St. Louis averaging over 40k a game.

In 2025, the UFL averaged 12,162.

So, while the average attendance is up, it's by minute margins and not pointing to a healthy league.

Yes, big investors and media companies continually throw good money at bad in the UFL, because they want it to succeed. It's basically business, municipal, and millionaire wishcasting.

I'd absolutely put my money on the idea that between the UFL and USL, the UFL is infinitely more likely to be out of business in 5 years than the USL. Way more overhead and cost even with a slightly better TV deal. I've seen these games on tv at bars, and with the exception of St. Louis, it's a morgue/ghost town at nearly every stadium. 1-2 healthy teams in a league does not a functional league create, as Omaha learned with the last UFL debacle with the Nighthawks/Mammoth. The non-St. Louis average for UFL attendance has generally been under 10k a game, but might be slightly higher this year.

Again, no issue with UFL if the UFL team handles all costs of changeover and can create a field that cannot be perceptible when changed back over to soccer.

I'm not a big believer in a second football league. That being said they might be on the right track. There seems to be a movement in the league to move out of NFL level stadiums and into soccer stadiums (including MLS ones). I know that's a major talking point in St Louis. They would fit better in them.

[omaha79]

UFL attendance numbers have been increasing this year and have great tv coverage with Major league cities.

Would be great to fill the stadium and get people there cause not sure if semi pro soccer alone can do that.

Skewed and flawed rationale.

UFL Attendance is averaging 12,770 per game and that's with St. Louis averaging over 30k a game, which is actually less interest than they used to have a few years ago.

In 2024, the UFL averaged 13,512 per game with St. Louis averaging over 40k a game.

In 2025, the UFL averaged 12,162.

So, while the average attendance is up, it's by minute margins and not pointing to a healthy league.

Yes, big investors and media companies continually throw good money at bad in the UFL, because they want it to succeed. It's basically business, municipal, and millionaire wishcasting.

I'd absolutely put my money on the idea that between the UFL and USL, the UFL is infinitely more likely to be out of business in 5 years than the USL. Way more overhead and cost even with a slightly better TV deal. I've seen these games on tv at bars, and with the exception of St. Louis, it's a morgue/ghost town at nearly every stadium. 1-2 healthy teams in a league does not a functional league create, as Omaha learned with the last UFL debacle with the Nighthawks/Mammoth. The non-St. Louis average for UFL attendance has generally been under 10k a game, but might be slightly higher this year.

Again, no issue with UFL if the UFL team handles all costs of changeover and can create a field that cannot be perceptible when changed back over to soccer.

I'm not a big believer in a second football league. That being said they might be on the right track. There seems to be a movement in the league to move out of NFL level stadiums and into soccer stadiums (including MLS ones). I know that's a major talking point in St Louis. They would fit better in them.

With that idea, it just comes down to can you get a big enough tv deal and sell enough tickets at the right price point to make it work. USL soccer and even things like the Omaha Beef level indoor football can work because the wages are low, insurance costs aren't as high, but the biggest thing is that roster size part of the equation. Even if you're paying, let's say, $30k a year per soccer player, you maybe have 20 men on the roster. Football is going to be around 50. That cost adds up quickly on shoestring budgets and you need way more coaches for all the position groups, more trainers, more training equipment. a higher budged for medical and food. Travel costs are higher as well.

So, if you're moving to soccer stadiums and know that in most markets you're going to draw 6-13k fans a game, can you get enough from tickets, merch, concessions, and a tv deal to make it work. And, even though these leagues are on tv, I'm willing to guess each team is seeing almost nothing from television. That is what happends with things like the USL tv deal or even Summit League and NCHC networks. You now have a platform and even national coverage, but you're not making anything. For years, the NHL was paying to be on tv in the United States and then trying to recoup on the ad revenue.

It's a house of cards for many of these leagues.

[nebugeater]

Will the UFL stick around? No idea. One thing that is a little different from other previous attempts at a second pro football league is the TV deal. On the surface, this deal that the UFL has with Fox and ABC/ESPN seems a lot more solid than other attempts. I believe that the TV partners are part of the ownership too, so they have a little more interest in success

[Greg S]

Will the UFL stick around? No idea. One thing that is a little different from other previous attempts at a second pro football league is the TV deal. On the surface, this deal that the UFL has with Fox and ABC/ESPN seems a lot more solid than other attempts. I believe that the TV partners are part of the ownership too, so they have a little more interest in success

Yeah I forgot the TV partners actually had an ownership stake. That is a big difference.

If you remember the early years of the MLS they started out in football stadiums as well. I used to go see the artist formerly known as the Kansas City Wizards at Arrowhead back in the day. At some games I'm not even sure the actual attendance was even 5k.

[omaha79]

Will the UFL stick around? No idea. One thing that is a little different from other previous attempts at a second pro football league is the TV deal. On the surface, this deal that the UFL has with Fox and ABC/ESPN seems a lot more solid than other attempts. I believe that the TV partners are part of the ownership too, so they have a little more interest in success

Yeah I forgot the TV partners actually had an ownership stake. That is a big difference.

If you remember the early years of the MLS they started out in football stadiums as well. I used to go see the artist formerly known as the Kansas City Wizards at Arrowhead back in the day. At some games I'm not even sure the actual attendance was even 5k.

It's full circle now: soccer leagues were using football and baseball stadiums and now upstart football leagues are using soccer stadiums. How the times have changed since 1995. If you'd told anyone that back in the 90's, they'd think you were nuts. I remember when Columbus, I believe, built the first ever soccer specific stadium in the US. It was considered groundbreaking. Now, almost every city of 100k plus seems to want a soccer team.

[omahahawk]

City council approves land purchase for a new North Downtown pro soccer stadium and entertainment district

dining, with developers planning to break ground this fall.

The city council voted 7-0 to purchase land for a new 11-acre professional soccer stadium and entertainment district in North Downtown.
By: KMTV Staff
Posted 6:41 PM, Apr 14, 2026
OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - -The city council unanimously approved purchasing land for a new 11-acre professional soccer stadium and entertainment district in North Downtown. The $332 million project will feature a 6,500-seat stadium, shopping, and dining, with groundbreaking expected this fall. Despite concerns over unknown environmental cleanup costs, city leaders and Union Omaha officials believe the economic and community benefits outweigh the risks.

https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-new ... t-district

[BuildTaller]

I can't believe all the negativity online about this project. I think the teardown of Rosenblatt and then the Schwab which is rarely used has really affected the public's mentality of sports in this city.

This will be huge for downtown (in addition to everything else going on downtown).

[Stan]

This could be huge for developing Union Omaha into an even bigger team for the city. Imagine if they are promoted through the USL up to the proposed premier league.

Vast majority of people are too short sighted for the long term.

[thenewguy]

I think this can be great. Speaking strictly from a dad's perspective, I can tell you that the number of kids, both boy and girl, that play soccer is absolutely nuts. To me, it seems like the excitement for soccer only dies out because of the 'well what happens next?' phase after high school or college. If more cities have more teams/leagues, it becomes more engrained in the social fabric. Baseball, basketball, and football are all popular because kids can see someone on tv doing the thing they do every week. It interests them, and thus fans are born. If we can really get behind this, you may be amazed to see what it could be in 10 years.

[omaha79]

This could be huge for developing Union Omaha into an even bigger team for the city. Imagine if they are promoted through the USL up to the proposed premier league.

Vast majority of people are too short sighted for the long term.

I agree. This will be great. You're taking an extremely underutilized lot in a blighted area of downtown and making it into something worthwhile. It's one of the last vestiges of the industrial wasteland that greeted visitors into Omaha for 75 years. It's nice to close the loop on that part of downtown and make it into something you can be proud of driving in from the airport. Now, imagine if we could eventually extend the streetcar to the airport the kind of events we could get at all these facilities downtown. I love that we've created an arena district. I can't believe how negative people are, but it's generally served cities like Philly well to have all the sports arenas in one spot...not that all of ours are there, just a bulk.

There's also a ton of anti soccer sentiment at play here by the typical joe six pack sports fan in this city. They dislike soccer because it feels vaguely European, and therefore socialist to them. Now, throw that dang ol UFL team in there and now you got a winner!

[djc311]

Hopefully our lovely governor doesn't axe it - appears they're still looking for financial assistance from the govt and I can see that being a huge hurdle.

FWIW, I support it and hope it happens.

[NEDodger]

[quote=omaha79 post_id=427921 They dislike soccer because it feels vaguely European, and therefore socialist to them.
[/quote]

Wow…..well, wrong.

Personally, I want this to succeed. But I, and many others that I know, dislike soccer not because “it feels vaguely European, and therefore socialist”.

No, we dislike it because it’s boring af.

[Dusty]

I don't follow sports at all. I really don't know anything about soccer. But building something that generates money for the city and adds entertainment options is always good move.

Will they be using the stadium for other events outside of the regular season?

[Athomsfere]

I don't follow sports at all. I really don't know anything about soccer. But building something that generates money for the city and adds entertainment options is always good move.

Will they be using the stadium for other events outside of the regular season?

From my understanding it sort of doesn't generate money directly by really any stretch. But it will have cascading effects as far as getting people to move to Omaha or closer to their entertainment which is similar and important in the long run.

[UpTheUnion95]

City council approved the $48MM TIF 7-0

https://www.wowt.com/video/2026/04/15/o ... r-stadium/

[NEDodger]

I don't follow sports at all. I really don't know anything about soccer. But building something that generates money for the city and adds entertainment options is always good move.

Will they be using the stadium for other events outside of the regular season?

From my understanding it sort of doesn't generate money directly by really any stretch. But it will have cascading effects as far as getting people to move to Omaha or closer to their entertainment which is similar and important in the long run.

The big plus too is a much nicer “entrance” to the city from Abbott, as opposed to the gross former rail yard that is there now.

[ita]

I don't follow sports at all. I really don't know anything about soccer. But building something that generates money for the city and adds entertainment options is always good move.

Will they be using the stadium for other events outside of the regular season?

From my understanding it sort of doesn't generate money directly by really any stretch. But it will have cascading effects as far as getting people to move to Omaha or closer to their entertainment which is similar and important in the long run.

The soccer stadium itself will generate sales tax for the city. Additionally, the stadium is anchoring additional retail and, presumably, restaurants, meaning more sales and restaurant taxes. The turnback taxes, from my understanding, are taken from state sales tax, not city taxes, but I may be wrong. Even then, the turnback is limited to 70% of sales taxes, so even if it includes city sales tax, the city would still be making something. Previously, with Union playing in Papillion, the City was getting zero sales taxes from tickets sales, food, and souvenirs. Now, they are getting some with them playing at Morrison. That will, hopefully, grow when they have their own stadium with more seats and capacity to fill. Morrison only has 2200 fixed seats versus the 6500 that the new stadium will accommodate. I think Morrison also has seated capacity of around 6,000 while the new stadium will be able to have up to 8,500. That just means more potential ticket sales. And that does not include potential for sales tax from a new women's team, visitors who come to watch games and the sales tax they generate from tickets, food and hotel stays. Anyway, I think the developer's attorney said that $52 million in sales taxes in the district will be generated during the turnback period, which is up to 25 years.

[Garrett]

They dislike soccer because it feels vaguely European, and therefore socialist to them.

Wow…..well, wrong.

Personally, I want this to succeed. But I, and many others that I know, dislike soccer not because “it feels vaguely European, and therefore socialist”.

No, we dislike it because it’s boring af.

As a general non-sports fan, all of them are pretty boring and are far more reliant on fan atmosphere to generate excitement and fun.

Football starts and stops plays every 15 seconds

Baseball is so boring that its most exciting form is currently reliant on poorly done versions of TikTok dances to generate buzz.

Soccer is low scoring but at least its play is largely continuous.

Hockey got rid of the fights, what's the point?

Basketball is fine.

[Greg S]

They dislike soccer because it feels vaguely European, and therefore socialist to them.

Wow…..well, wrong.

Personally, I want this to succeed. But I, and many others that I know, dislike soccer not because “it feels vaguely European, and therefore socialist”.

No, we dislike it because it’s boring af.

As a general non-sports fan, all of them are pretty boring and are far more reliant on fan atmosphere to generate excitement and fun.

Football starts and stops plays every 15 seconds

Baseball is so boring that its most exciting form is currently reliant on poorly done versions of TikTok dances to generate buzz.

Soccer is low scoring but at least its play is largely continuous.

Hockey got rid of the fights, what's the point?

Basketball is fine.

I'm the opposite, a big time sports fan including soccer (I had to be, my mom was born and raised in Liverpool, so I grew up playing long before it got popular like it is now).

I do have to say, I find the comment that soccer isn't more popular "because it feels vaguely European, and therefore socialist to them," incredibly odd and completely wrong.

Greg

[jomaha9]

I agree with the overall sentiment of developing the area for the Union Omaha stadium. I recognize soccer is growing in popularity and that this development would be huge for Omaha.

That being said, I have watched a lot more UFL games than I have soccer games. Omaha is a football town and Nebraska is a football state. From a return on investment strategy, it would likely make sense to have a dual purpose stadium that can accommodate both soccer and football.

[nebport5]

I agree with the overall sentiment of developing the area for the Union Omaha stadium. I recognize soccer is growing in popularity and that this development would be huge for Omaha.

That being said, I have watched a lot more UFL games than I have soccer games. Omaha is a football town and Nebraska is a football state. From a return on investment strategy, it would likely make sense to have a dual purpose stadium that can accommodate both soccer and football.

The smallest UFL stadium is 11k, which would be turn back financing prohibitive.

[Omaha2032]

Not sure where you got your information from, but the St. Louis franchise has had crowds over 30k every season so it is a bit more than 11k.

[arch_RP_planner]

Not sure where you got your information from, but the St. Louis franchise has had crowds over 30k every season so it is a bit more than 11k.

https://xflnewshub.com/extra/week-by-we ... k-in-2026/

From the XFL, "Last season’s leaguewide average attendance was about 12,162 fans per game, a figure UFL leadership aims to improve with smaller, more vibrant venues for 2026 that fit local crowds more naturally and help build atmosphere. 

Overall, these additions reflect a deliberate focus on non‑NFL markets, creating fresh local rivalries and new opportunities for fan engagement."

[jomaha9]

I agree with the overall sentiment of developing the area for the Union Omaha stadium. I recognize soccer is growing in popularity and that this development would be huge for Omaha.

That being said, I have watched a lot more UFL games than I have soccer games. Omaha is a football town and Nebraska is a football state. From a return on investment strategy, it would likely make sense to have a dual purpose stadium that can accommodate both soccer and football.

The smallest UFL stadium is 11k, which would be turn back financing prohibitive.

I was not aware of this. Are there seating capacity limitations or requirements for turn back financing to be viable?

I am not as informed as others on this thread and am genuinely asking. I would think it would be feasible for the Union Omaha stadium to be close to 15K in seating, allowing the stadium to be used for UFL games. The dual purpose might also generate some more interest in naming rights from a corporate sponsor to offset some impacts to the current financing model.

[thenewguy]

Not sure where you got your information from, but the St. Louis franchise has had crowds over 30k every season so it is a bit more than 11k.

he said smallest stadium, not largest. Battlehawks play at the old edward jones dome (former home of the St. Louis Rams) so it can seat up to 67,000.


The point people here are missing is that it doesn't matter if it is YOUR cup of tea. heck, soccer isn't even MY cup of tea, but I'm excited for this to happen because of what it will do for the city. Lots of people don't like the symphony, but no one could argue that the holland center isn't great for the city.

I also think that it's understated the growth potential for a franchise. Since MLS doesn't have to deal with TV rights conflicts the way the NFL does, it's totally more plausible for Omaha to get an MLS franchise down the road, whereas an NFL/NBA/MLB franchise will N-E-V-E-R happen here

[Athomsfere]

I don't follow sports at all. I really don't know anything about soccer. But building something that generates money for the city and adds entertainment options is always good move.

Will they be using the stadium for other events outside of the regular season?

From my understanding it sort of doesn't generate money directly by really any stretch. But it will have cascading effects as far as getting people to move to Omaha or closer to their entertainment which is similar and important in the long run.

The big plus too is a much nicer “entrance” to the city from Abbott, as opposed to the gross former rail yard that is there now.

Which reminds me: I'd like to find a way to get rid of or hid all those storage tanks right as you enter Omaha.

[Erik]

I keep forgetting we're UFLing again

Im over these leagues, I wont waste my time this go around

[Erik]

Not sure where you got your information from, but the St. Louis franchise has had crowds over 30k every season so it is a bit more than 11k.

he said smallest stadium, not largest. Battlehawks play at the old edward jones dome (former home of the St. Louis Rams) so it can seat up to 67,000.


The point people here are missing is that it doesn't matter if it is YOUR cup of tea. heck, soccer isn't even MY cup of tea, but I'm excited for this to happen because of what it will do for the city. Lots of people don't like the symphony, but no one could argue that the holland center isn't great for the city.

I also think that it's understated the growth potential for a franchise. Since MLS doesn't have to deal with TV rights conflicts the way the NFL does, it's totally more plausible for Omaha to get an MLS franchise down the road, whereas an NFL/NBA/MLB franchise will N-E-V-E-R happen here

I can see an NHL, NBA or MLS team down the road.

To be honest, I wouldn't want the city to have the headache of supporting an NFL, MLB or NBA team as the juice isnt worth the squeeze.