Cleveland Soccer Group has revealed plans for a state-of-the-art, 10,000-seat soccer stadium in downtown Cleveland, projected to generate a $2.4 billion economic impact. The proposed South Gateway Stadium would serve as the home for professional men’s and women’s soccer teams while also hosting high school, college, and community events.
Estimated at $50 million, the stadium would be developed in partnership with Cleveland Metroparks on a 14-acre sitesouth of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Progressive Field, with direct access to RTA rapid lines. While final approval is still pending, the project has already gained strong support from local businesses, institutions, and stakeholders.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring professional soccer to Cleveland,” said Michael Murphy, CEO of Cleveland Soccer Group. “We’ve secured site control with Cleveland Metroparks and built meaningful partnerships that demonstrate strong demand for a venue like this. South Gateway Stadium represents an opportunity to shape Cleveland’s future, and we are committed to making it a reality.”
Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman echoed this enthusiasm, noting that the project aligns with the park system’s mission to enhance connectivity between the outdoors and downtown Cleveland.
Local schools and organizations, including Cleveland State University, St. Edward High School, and St. Ignatius High School, have expressed interest in utilizing the stadium for major sporting events. Additionally, CSG has proposed hosting games for U.S. Soccer, the Mid-American Conference, and Cleveland’s Senate League.
“The South Gateway Stadium will provide our student-athletes with a world-class venue,” said Rory Fitzpatrick, Athletic Director at St. Ignatius High School. “It’s an exciting opportunity for our community.”
Image courtesy of CSG
