Modesto is engaging its community in discussions about potential sites for a professional soccer stadium, with listening sessions scheduled to gather public input.”There’s just concerns and questions depending on the possible stadium location, but overwhelmingly, we’ve gotten a lot of positive support. People really like soccer,” said Sonya Severo, city of Modesto public relations.While the stadium could boost tourism and bring other benefits, there are still some concerns. “Depending upon the locations, there’s various aspects that have to be taken into consideration, such as parking and whether there’ll be housing associated with its retail space,” said Mayor Sue Zwahlen.The city is considering two main locations: the Modesto Centre Plaza, a convention space downtown, and the former municipal golf course in West Modesto. “It will be a great opportunity for fun, family entertainment and not just soccer, but also music and other possibilities for bringing entertainment options to Modesto,” Zwahlen said.The city lists the site requirements that include the length of the stadium at least 70 yards by 110 yards as approved by FIFA, for the stadium to predominantly have a north-south axis, minimum parking requirements within a certain distance of it, and at least 5,000 seats based on the type of USL league. “There’s definitely a lot of people for downtown Modesto and there’s a lot of people for the municipal golf course. It really just depends on what amenities are going to be provided. I think the cost, the scope of the development for a stadium,” Severo said.While the city could not respond to an exact cost for construction, it noted recent stadium construction costs have ranged between $30 million in 2019 and $226 million in 2025.Community listening sessions are on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the King Kennedy Center and Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. at Greens on Tenth in downtown Modesto.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
MODESTO, Calif. —
Modesto is engaging its community in discussions about potential sites for a professional soccer stadium, with listening sessions scheduled to gather public input.
“There’s just concerns and questions depending on the possible stadium location, but overwhelmingly, we’ve gotten a lot of positive support. People really like soccer,” said Sonya Severo, city of Modesto public relations.
While the stadium could boost tourism and bring other benefits, there are still some concerns.
“Depending upon the locations, there’s various aspects that have to be taken into consideration, such as parking and whether there’ll be housing associated with its retail space,” said Mayor Sue Zwahlen.
The city is considering two main locations: the Modesto Centre Plaza, a convention space downtown, and the former municipal golf course in West Modesto.
“It will be a great opportunity for fun, family entertainment and not just soccer, but also music and other possibilities for bringing entertainment options to Modesto,” Zwahlen said.
The city lists the site requirements that include the length of the stadium at least 70 yards by 110 yards as approved by FIFA, for the stadium to predominantly have a north-south axis, minimum parking requirements within a certain distance of it, and at least 5,000 seats based on the type of USL league.
“There’s definitely a lot of people for downtown Modesto and there’s a lot of people for the municipal golf course. It really just depends on what amenities are going to be provided. I think the cost, the scope of the development for a stadium,” Severo said.
While the city could not respond to an exact cost for construction, it noted recent stadium construction costs have ranged between $30 million in 2019 and $226 million in 2025.
Community listening sessions are on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the King Kennedy Center and Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. at Greens on Tenth in downtown Modesto.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel