Work is officially underway on a new $1 billion stadium project for Indianapolis’ professional soccer teams.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Eleven Park, a new development in the city’s riverfront neighborhood to be built around a 20,000-seat venue that will host the Indy Eleven teams.
The Indy Eleven men’s squad currently competes in the USL Championship, while the women’s squad will play in the USL W League this year before joining the new USL Super League next year.
The team currently plays home games at the 12,000-seat IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium.
While the source of the $1 billion funding isn’t completely clear, tax money could reportedly cover 80% of the construction, while Indy Eleven may cover the remaining costs.
Demolition at the site is beginning immediately before construction begins in the coming months.
Once finished in 2025, the stadium will be surrounded by more than 600 apartments, 205,000 square feet of office space, and 197,000 square feet of retail space, as well as restaurants, hotels, public plazas, green space, and parking.
The stadium’s architect is Populous, which has designed NFL venues for the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, among others, and is working on the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium.