Editing Major League Soccer (section)

===Stadiums===
<!--The plural of stadium is BOTH stadiums and stadia. This article is based on a sports league in the United States and Canada, and North American English more commonly uses "stadiums". Please consult WP:ENGVAR-->
[[File:Columbus crew stadium mls allstars 2005.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|The [[Columbus Crew]]'s [[Historic Crew Stadium|first stadium]] was MLS' first [[soccer-specific stadium]]]]
{{See also|Soccer-specific stadium|List of Major League Soccer stadiums}}
Since 1999, the league has overseen the construction of twelve stadiums specifically designed for soccer. The development of soccer-specific stadiums owned by the teams has generated a better gameday experience for the fans.<ref name="New York Times 2012">''The New York Times'', [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-keeps-moving-up-as-houston-dynamo-open-stadium.html?_r=0 "M.L.S. Continues to Bolster Growing Brand With New Stadium in Houston"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118143116/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-keeps-moving-up-as-houston-dynamo-open-stadium.html|date=January 18, 2017 }}, May 12, 2012.</ref> The soccer-specific stadiums have yielded positive financial results as teams were no longer required to pay to rent out facilities and gained control over revenue streams such as concessions, parking, naming rights, and the ability to host non-MLS events.<ref name="forbes.com" /><ref name="New York Times 2012" /> Several teams have doubled their season tickets following the team's move into a soccer-specific stadium.<ref>Sports Business Journal, [http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/04/In-Depth/Presidents.aspx "MLS club presidents on the season ahead"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105726/http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/04/In-Depth/Presidents.aspx |date=December 22, 2015 }}, March 4, 2013.</ref> The establishment of soccer-specific stadiums is considered the key to the league and the ability of teams to turn a profit.<ref name="sportsbusinessdaily.com">Sports Business Journal, [http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2006/06/20060605/SBJ-In-Depth/Soccers-Visionary-Phil-Anschutz.aspx "Soccer's visionary: Phil Anschutz"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223021304/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2006/06/20060605/SBJ-In-Depth/Soccers-Visionary-Phil-Anschutz.aspx |date=February 23, 2014 }}, June 5, 2006.</ref> In 2006, Tim Leiweke, then CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, described the proliferation of soccer-specific stadiums as the turning point for MLS.<ref name="sportsbusinessdaily.com" />

Columbus Crew owner Lamar Hunt started this trend in 1999 by constructing Columbus Crew Stadium, now known as [[Historic Crew Stadium]], as MLS's first soccer-specific stadium.<ref name="Columbus Crew history" /> The Los Angeles Galaxy followed four years later with the opening of the Home Depot Center, now [[Dignity Health Sports Park]], in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=StubHub Center – About |url=http://www.stubhubcenter.com/about/about-stub-hub-center |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915033548/http://www.stubhubcenter.com/about/about-stub-hub-center |archive-date=September 15, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> FC Dallas opened Pizza Hut Park, now [[Toyota Stadium (Texas)|Toyota Stadium]], in 2005, and the Chicago Fire began playing their home games in Toyota Park, now [[SeatGeek Stadium]], in 2006. The 2007 season brought the opening of [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]] for the Colorado Rapids and [[BMO Field]] for Toronto FC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Executives |url=http://www.squidelephantdesign.com/sumworld/about/ |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723035047/http://www.squidelephantdesign.com/sumworld/about/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Near the end of the 2008 season, Rio Tinto Stadium (now known as [[America First Field]]) became the home of Real Salt Lake, which meant that for the first time in MLS history a majority of MLS's teams (8 out of 14) played in soccer-specific stadiums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rio Tinto Stadium Set To Open |url=http://ctsportslaw.com/2008/10/04/rio-tinto-stadium-set-to-open/ |date=October 4, 2008 |website=Connecticut Sports Law |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=October 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021135738/http://ctsportslaw.com/2008/10/04/rio-tinto-stadium-set-to-open/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Red Bull Arena (New Jersey)|Red Bull Arena]], the new home of the New York Red Bulls opened for the start of the 2010 season,<ref name="Stadiums">{{Cite web |title=About Major League Soccer |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027210834/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer |archive-date=October 27, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> and the Philadelphia Union opened PPL Park, now [[Subaru Park]], in June 2010, midway through their inaugural season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opinion: Is NYC FC's stadium deal a black eye for MLS? |url=http://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/22/5639350/nyc-fc-stadium-deal-is-a-black-eye-for-mls |date=April 22, 2014 |website=Once A Metro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024042050/http://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/22/5639350/nyc-fc-stadium-deal-is-a-black-eye-for-mls |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

The following season, in 2011, the Portland Timbers made their MLS debut in a newly renovated Jeld-Wen Field, now renamed [[Providence Park]], which was originally a multi-purpose venue but turned into a soccer-specific facility.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Portland Timbers, Jeld-Wen joined at the right time on stadium naming rights |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2014/02/portland_timbers_jeld-wen_join.html |date=February 11, 2014 |website=The Oregonian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814085900/http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2014/02/portland_timbers_jeld-wen_join.html |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Also in 2011, Sporting Kansas City moved to new Livestrong Sporting Park, now [[Children's Mercy Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sporting Kansas City's Sporting Park will serve as host of MLS Cup |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/23/sporting-kansas-citys-sporting-park-will-serve-host-mls-cup |date=November 24, 2013 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906141345/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/23/sporting-kansas-citys-sporting-park-will-serve-host-mls-cup |archive-date=September 6, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The Houston Dynamo relocated to their new home at BBVA Compass Stadium, now [[Shell Energy Stadium]], in 2012.<ref name=Stadiums/> In the same year, the Montreal Impact joined the league in an expanded [[Saputo Stadium|Stade Saputo]], which reopened in June 2012, when renovations pushed the seating capacity to over 20,000. The Impact has used [[Olympic Stadium (Montreal)|Olympic Stadium]] for early season matches and for games that require a larger capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The State of Soccer in Montreal |url=http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/17/whats-wrong-with-saputo-stadium/ |date=July 17, 2012 |website=Last Word on Sports |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050229/http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/17/whats-wrong-with-saputo-stadium/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The San Jose Earthquakes, who had played at [[Buck Shaw Stadium]] from 2008 until 2014, opened their new Avaya Stadium (now [[PayPal Park]]) before the 2015 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=February 27, 2015 |title=Avaya Stadium: Breaking down Earthquakes' new digs |work=The Mercury News |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/02/27/avaya-stadium-breaking-down-earthquakes-new-digs/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318062047/https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/02/27/avaya-stadium-breaking-down-earthquakes-new-digs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Orlando City SC intended to begin constructing its soccer-specific stadium, now known as [[Exploria Stadium]], in 2014 to be completed in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schlueb |first=Mark |date=January 7, 2014 |title=Orlando officials, Orlando City Lions to brainstorm design for MLS stadium |work=Orlando Sentinel |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-mls-soccer-stadium-orlando-20140107,0,4518538.story |url-status=dead |access-date=January 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107205220/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-mls-soccer-stadium-orlando-20140107%2C0%2C4518538.story |archive-date=January 7, 2014}}</ref> Delays caused by changes to the stadium plans pushed back the new venue's opening, first to late 2016 and finally to the start of the 2017 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Your City Your Stadium: Update on Proposed Stadium Opening |url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/01/13/your-city-your-stadium-update-proposed-stadium-opening |date=January 13, 2016 |publisher=Orlando City Soccer Club |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114235507/http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/01/13/your-city-your-stadium-update-proposed-stadium-opening |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=January 13, 2016}}</ref> Orlando City played at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, now [[Camping World Stadium]], while awaiting the construction of their new venue through the 2016 season. Exploria Stadium hosted its first MLS match on March 5, 2017, against New York City FC as Orlando City Stadium.

[[File:Soundersfcqwestfield.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lumen Field]], home of [[Seattle Sounders FC]]]]

The development of additional MLS stadiums has continued to progress.  D.C. United had played their home games at former NFL and Major League Baseball venue [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]]. In 2013, D.C. United announced the signing of a public-private partnership term sheet to build a new soccer stadium in Washington, D.C., and a final deal was reached in late 2014. In late February 2017,  D.C. United finally broke ground on their new stadium, [[Audi Field]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=December 17, 2014 |title=D.C. United stadium approval improves its playing field in MLS in many ways |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/12/17/d-c-united-stadium-approval-improves-its-playing-field-in-mls-in-many-ways/ |access-date=September 4, 2017 |archive-date=July 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728112000/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/12/17/d-c-united-stadium-approval-improves-its-playing-field-in-mls-in-many-ways/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After 21 years of playing at RFK Stadium, D.C. United played their first game at Audi Field in July 2018.

Two teams have announced their desire to build a soccer-specific stadium, although these teams have not finalized the stadium site and received all necessary government approvals. New York City FC play home games at [[Yankee Stadium]], a Major League Baseball venue, although they intend to move into a soccer-specific stadium in the future. The New England Revolution play home games at [[Gillette Stadium]] which is an NFL Stadium also owned by the Revolution's owner, [[Robert Kraft]]. The team are currently in discussion with the City of [[Boston]] regarding a potential soccer-specific stadium in [[South Boston]].<ref name="Boston Globe 2014">''Boston Globe'',{{Cite web |title=Kraft family looks to build soccer stadium in Boston |website=[[The Boston Globe]] |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/11/18/krafts-exploring-soccer-stadium-boston/s7p5krvDeH1J7UgjlEIFtM/story.html |date=November 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121103133/http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/11/18/krafts-exploring-soccer-stadium-boston/s7p5krvDeH1J7UgjlEIFtM/story.html |archive-date=November 21, 2014 |access-date=November 18, 2014}}</ref>

Several remaining clubs play in stadiums not originally built for MLS and have not announced plans to move. The Seattle Sounders FC play at [[Lumen Field]], a dual-purpose facility used for both American football and soccer. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined the league with Portland in 2011 and temporarily held matches at [[Empire Field]] before moving into the refurbished [[BC Place]] in October 2011,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vancouver Whitecaps History |url=http://www.whitecapsfc.com/history |date=October 11, 2010 |website=Vancouver Whitecaps FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924082207/http://www.whitecapsfc.com/history |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> a retractable-roof stadium that hosts [[Canadian football]] as well as soccer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to Make the CFL USA Work This Time and 15 Places Where It Could Thrive |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1685288-cfl-usa-how-to-make-it-work-this-time-and-15-places-where-it-could |last=Charles Bennett |website=Bleacher Report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815204706/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1685288-cfl-usa-how-to-make-it-work-this-time-and-15-places-where-it-could |archive-date=August 15, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

Of the three teams that made their MLS debuts in 2017 and 2018, one opened a soccer-specific stadium in 2019, a second is playing in a shared football stadium, and the last opened a soccer-specific stadium for its inaugural 2018 season. Minnesota United FC, which debuted in 2017, built [[Allianz Field]] in [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]] which hosted its inaugural game against New York City FC on April 13, 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Greder |first=Andy |date=July 28, 2016 |title=MLS expansion: Atlanta is lock for 2017, Minnesota expected to join them |work=Pioneer Press |url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/mls-expansion-atlanta-is-lock-for-2017-minnesota-expected-to-join-them/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730213051/http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/mls-expansion-atlanta-is-lock-for-2017-minnesota-expected-to-join-them/ |archive-date=July 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |date=December 12, 2016 |title=Minnesota United officials say 'big dig' at stadium site will begin in spring |work=[[Star Tribune]] |url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213212815/http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |archive-date=December 13, 2016}}</ref> Until that time, the team played in [[Minneapolis]] at TCF Bank Stadium (now [[Huntington Bank Stadium]]), home to [[University of Minnesota]] [[Minnesota Golden Gophers football|football]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quarstad |first=Brian |date=August 19, 2016 |title=Minnesota United to play inaugural MLS season at new home: TCF Bank Stadium |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-play-inaugural-mls-season-new-home-tcf-bank-stadium |url-status=live |access-date=August 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823133049/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-play-inaugural-mls-season-new-home-tcf-bank-stadium |archive-date=August 23, 2016}}</ref> Atlanta United FC began play in 2017 at a college football facility, [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]]'s [[Bobby Dodd Stadium]], before moving into its permanent home at the retractable-roof [[Mercedes-Benz Stadium]], which it shares with the NFL's [[Atlanta Falcons]]; the two teams share a [[Arthur Blank|common owner]] and the stadium is equipped with screens to cordon off the upper tiers for most matches.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Atlanta United to Start MLS Season in March 2017 at Georgia Tech's Historic Bobby Dodd Stadium |date=October 5, 2016 |publisher=Atlanta United FC |url=http://www.atlutd.com/post/2016/10/05/atlanta-united-start-mls-season-march-2017-georgia-tech-s-historic-bobby-dodd |access-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008175304/http://www.atlutd.com/post/2016/10/05/atlanta-united-start-mls-season-march-2017-georgia-tech-s-historic-bobby-dodd |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Los Angeles FC, which began play in 2018, opened Banc of California Stadium (now [[BMO Stadium]]) on the former site of the [[Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena|Los Angeles Sports Arena]] in April of its inaugural season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=December 18, 2017 |title=LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-lafc-20171218-story.html |access-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201004212/http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-lafc-20171218-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

FC Cincinnati made its MLS debut in 2019 at [[Nippert Stadium]], the [[Cincinnati Bearcats football|football]] home of the [[University of Cincinnati]]. The stadium had been home to FCC's [[FC Cincinnati (2016–18)|USL Championship predecessor]] for all of its three seasons of play. The club moved within Cincinnati to the new [[TQL Stadium]] in 2021.<ref name="fc-cincinnati" /> Inter Miami began play in 2020 at Inter Miami CF Stadium, now known as [[Chase Stadium]], at the former site of [[Lockhart Stadium]] in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]] before opening [[Miami Freedom Park]] in the future.<ref name="Miami announcement">{{Cite press release |title=It's official: Major League Soccer awards expansion team to Miami |date=January 29, 2018 |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/29/its-official-major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-miami |access-date=November 25, 2019 |website=MLSSoccer.com |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303091243/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/29/its-official-major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-miami |url-status=live }}</ref> Nashville SC played the 2020 and 2021 seasons at an NFL facility, the [[Tennessee Titans]]' [[Nissan Stadium]], before opening [[Geodis Park]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Deas |first=Tommy |date=January 31, 2019 |title=Nashville MLS team to open play in 2020 and play home games at Nissan Stadium |work=[[The Tennessean]] |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2019/01/31/mls-nashville-soccer-nissan-stadium-2020/2669544002/ |access-date=February 11, 2019}}</ref> Austin FC opened [[Q2 Stadium]] for its first season in 2021.<ref name="Austin FC announcement" /> St. Louis City SC opened [[Citypark (St. Louis)|CityPark]] in November 2022, a few months before the club's first season in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-journal/st-louis-city-sc-host-first-match-citypark-stadium/63-94372f87-2a3d-43ca-9ad0-941898f0d83b |title=With power restored at its stadium, here's when St. Louis City SC will host its first match there |first=Nathan |last=Rubbelke |publisher=[[KSDK]] |website=ksdk.com |language=en |date=October 27, 2022 |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101034443/https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-journal/st-louis-city-sc-host-first-match-citypark-stadium/63-94372f87-2a3d-43ca-9ad0-941898f0d83b |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction of [[Eleven Park]] was tied to an application for an [[Indianapolis]]-based MLS team, initialized in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |newspaper=Mirror Indy |date=2024-04-25 |accessdate=2024-04-25 |url=https://mirrorindy.org/indy-eleven-soccer-park-indianapolis-keystone-mayor-joe-hogsett-keystone/ |title=Hogsett makes his soccer pitch for MLS, upending future of Eleven Park deal |first=Peter |last=Blanchard |language=en-US |department=Government}}</ref>