The City of Pensacola has begun negotiations with the United Soccer League (USL) to bring professional men’s and women’s soccer teams to the area, Mayor D.C. Reeves announced on March 19, 2025. The negotiation period is expected to take one year, with the possibility of a six-month extension.
During the announcement, Reeves was joined by Steven Short, Executive Vice President for Club Expansion at USL. Short emphasized that expansion in Pensacola would rely heavily on the interest of the local soccer community, sports organizations, and businesses.
Josh Hadden, president of Pensacola Youth Soccer, expressed support for the potential partnership, stating, “Pensacola Youth Soccer is excited about the potential partnership between USL and the City of Pensacola, which will create new opportunities for our growing recreational league and the local soccer community.”
USL’s expansion model prioritizes “deep-rooted” local ownership for franchise sustainability. Mayor Reeves mentioned Greg Harris, owner of the Ice Flyers, and Quint Studer, owner of the Blue Wahoos, as examples of successful local sports ownership.
Discussions about where a potential soccer team would play remain open. Reeves indicated a preference for downtown Pensacola but mentioned other possibilities, including Escambia School District property or Pensacola High School’s football stadium. He also acknowledged the Blue Wahoos stadium as a potential venue.
Reeves highlighted the ongoing focus on improving the Bay Center and suggested that expanding the Bay Center’s footprint to include a multi-use facility could support professional soccer and various other events.
The USL currently operates several teams in similar-sized markets, including:
- Tampa Bay Sun, playing at Blake High School’s 5,000-seat Riverfront Stadium
- Sporting JAX in Jacksonville, playing at the University of North Florida football stadium
- Monterey Bay FC, utilizing a refurbished stadium at the former Fort Ord Army base in Seaside, California
- Carolina Ascent, playing at the 15,500-seat American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Dothan United SC, playing USL League 2 matches at Dothan High School’s 10,000-seat stadium
The City of Pensacola’s Frequently Asked Questions document regarding the Bay Center renovation listed a multi-use facility’s potential for hosting sporting events, concerts, trade shows, and community gatherings.
The City’s discussions with USL are ongoing.
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