Is Professional Soccer Coming to Grand Rapids With a New Stadium?

Do you think this is the Grand Rapids version of "if you build it and they will come?" Quite possibly since local folks are working to develop a big-time soccer stadium in hopes of landing a professional soccer team, potentially from the United Soccer League. Big dreams but as we've seen before, we make it happen in Grand Rapids!

Crain's Business Grand Rapids reported the even though a location has not been determined yet, drawings are already on the table of what the new soccer stadium might look like, and it's impressive, even though they are considered very preliminary and rough.

Who is behind this next major project? The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA) and Grand Action 2.0.

Grand Action 2.0 is the private economic development group that is working to secure the financing of the project that would ultimately be run by the CAA, similar to the arrangement behind the proposed Acrisure Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids.

The mystery of where it may be located continues, however. Some are saying it could be adjacent to the downtown YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, which officials have said is under consideration.

Who pays for all of this?

As Grand Rapids and developers have done in the past, VanAndel Arena, DeVos Place, etc., it would be a combination of public and private agreements and funding. Also, by raising the hotel/motel tax, with voter approval, significant revenue could also be raised.

Grand Action 2.0 says they are now working to secure a lead donor for the soccer stadium.