Columbia City Council to Vote on Proposal for Professional Soccer Stadium

COLUMBIA — The Columbia City Council is set to vote on a proposal to establish a deal with Hometown Soccer Holdings, LLC to develop a professional soccer stadium affiliated with Major League Soccer. This vote is scheduled for the council meeting on October 6, as noted in the meeting agenda.

Hometown Soccer Holdings serves as a partner with Major League Soccer and aims to expand franchises into new markets, particularly through MLS NEXT Pro, the official developmental league for MLS. The company was launched in 2022 to create pathways for young soccer talent to reach professional levels.

According to its website, Hometown Soccer Holdings plans to launch clubs in specific markets, develop custom-built stadiums, and enhance the commercial aspects of MLS NEXT Pro. This initiative is designed to establish strong local identities for teams, engage fans, boost local economies, foster talent development, and leave a lasting legacy for professional soccer across North America.

The City Council's agenda did not specify details about the potential location or timeline for the stadium. A memorandum of understanding would mark an initial step in the process, but it would not involve a formal commitment from either party. Mayor Daniel Rickenmann mentioned to The Post and Courier Columbia in January that multiple groups are interested in creating a minor league soccer team and a stadium in the area.

Local officials and soccer enthusiasts have been advocating for a stadium and team in the Midlands for several years. Many interested parties are requesting that the city provide land for the development, although Rickenmann noted that no suitable locations have been identified yet. He currently lacks information on available large plots of land.

Columbia has seen a surge in soccer interest recently, highlighted by the “Rivals in Red” exhibition game featuring Liverpool FC and Manchester United, which attracted 77,000 fans and generated $13 million in economic impact in August 2024. Additionally, last year, the University of South Carolina served as a base camp for the Brazilian club Fluminense FC during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Columbia was also considered as a base camp for teams during the 2026 World Cup matches in Atlanta, though ultimately no teams stayed in the city.