USL Super League Announces Initial Markets
New professional women’s soccer league commits to U.S. Soccer’s Division One standards
Posted On: May 16, 2023 By :The USL Super League has announced the initial group of eight markets to start play in August 2024 as a first division league with additional markets to be named at a later date.
The confirmed markets are Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Lexington, Kentucky; Phoenix, Arizona; Spokane, Washington; Tampa Bay, Florida; Tucson, Arizona, and Washington, D.C.
“We’re excited to share the initial group of USL Super League markets that will bring professional women’s soccer closer to home for fans and players across America,” USL Super League President Amanda Vandervort said. “Our aim is to significantly expand opportunities in women’s soccer through strategic growth, build a pathway that connects talent with opportunity, and engage communities by celebrating a universal passion for the game expressed through local culture.”
Charlotte’s team will play at American Legion Memorial Stadium, which is located in Charlotte’s urban core and was renovated in 2021. Phoenix’s team will play at the home of Phoenix Rising FC and Spokane will play in a new 5,500 seat stadium currently under construction and located in the North Bank Arts and Entertainment District. Lexington’s USL team is working to bring a 6,500-seat stadium and a training and medical complex to reality; stadium options are being evaluated in Dallas/Fort Worth, Tampa Bay, Tucson and Washington.
The USL Super League will play on the international calendar with the schedule starting in the fall and going into the early summer of 2025 while operating a connected pathway from youth to professional. Markets for subsequent seasons pending completion of a stadium project include Chattanooga, Tennessee; Indianapolis; Jacksonville, Florida; Madison, Wisconsin, and Oakland, California.
“The USL Super League aspires to be a global leader in women’s football, and we look forward to working together with all stakeholders to help shape the future of the game for women and girls in our country, across the region, and around the world,” Vandervort said. “We will actively advocate for new, compelling club competitions that drive visibility and value, and we offer our unwavering support for U.S. Soccer’s bid to co-host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
The Super League will partner with Legends, Octagon and SPORTFIVE to drive media and commercial interests. Legends will support partnership sales and stadium commercial opportunities while Octagon will help manage the media rights sales process. SPORTFIVE will help secure international media distribution partnerships as well as the USL’s sports betting streaming and data partnerships globally.
“Today marks a major milestone for the United Soccer League as we take another step in building an integrated women’s soccer network unlike any other,” USL Chief Executive Officer Alec Papadakis said. “Our aim is to make the USL Super League globally recognized and admired for its financial stability, operational excellence, community building and high-level competition. We are establishing and growing our national footprint while ensuring that all our teams are owners or primary tenants of a soccer stadium. We are aligning our calendar and roster rules with the global game.”
Posted in: Latest News, Soccer, Sports Organizations, Women's Sports