Soccer fans root on Fresno FC as they play at Chukchansi Stadium in this file photo.
The City of Fresno took its first formal step toward landing professional women’s and men’s soccer teams Tuesday morning, announcing an exclusive one-year agreement with the United Soccer League (USL) to explore building a downtown soccer-specific stadium and bringing a franchise to the Central Valley.
Mayor Jerry Dyer said the city has entered a one-year exclusivity and due diligence period with the USL, making it the first major milestone in a long-anticipated effort to establish professional soccer in Fresno. The process will include finalizing a stadium site, evaluating funding options and securing an ownership group, city officials said.
Dyer described the deal with the USL as an “engagement” with the intention of “getting married.”
Downtown stadium vision
While Dyer declined to name a specific location for the future stadium, he made it no secret that his preferred site is in the Downtown Fresno/ Chinatown area. It would have a capacity of around 7,000 with an opportunity to expand in the future.
If plans for the stadium move forward, the stadium and teams could be ready at the start of 2028, he said. It is unknown if the teams would play at a temporary venue if the stadium isn’t completed in time.
“Fresno is ready for professional soccer and a dedicated stadium in Downtown Fresno,” Dyer said, noting sold-out exhibition matches at Chukchansi Park and strong attendance downtown demonstrate local demand. “The fans are wild. They come before the game, they stay after the game, and they take advantage of our restaurants and brewery district.”
There were no plans or an announcement regarding the team name, branding or any other information revealed during the news conference. City officials cautioned that the agreement does not guarantee a franchise or stadium, noting that funding sources, site selection and private investment must still be finalized.
However, the exclusivity period gives Fresno its clearest path yet to securing professional soccer and a permanent home for the sport.
A complicated soccer history
Professional soccer has had an up-and-down history in Fresno, with many of the issues coming from the lack of a soccer-specific stadium over the years. Many of the teams played their games at Chukchansi Park.
Fresno last hosted a professional soccer team from 2022 to 2024 with Central Valley Fuego FC, who played its matches at Fresno State. Prior to Fuego FC, Fresno had the Fresno Fuego and Fresno FC.
City officials previously explored a sale of Selland Arena and Valdez Hall for a soccer stadium with the owners of Fuego FC, the Ruelas family, who have their own plans to build a soccer stadium near Blackbeard’s in Fresno.
The Fuego FC plans for a downtown stadium, which didn’t come to fruition, had a projected cost $40 million in 2021 and were forecast to generate approximately $500,000 in annual tax revenue.
Building a sustainable model
Former Fresno FC Head Coach Adam Smith will be leading the charge with Fresno Pro Soccer LLC. The LLC’s goal is to assemble both local and external investors, organize funding and help oversee stadium operations. He’ll also play a central role in building the team’s foundation, coordinating with partners and working to create a successful, community-focused professional soccer club in Fresno.
Local soccer leaders say that the announcement builds on decades of growth in the Valley. Brian Easler, club president of Central Valley Fuego FC, said increased infrastructure is important to sustaining long-term professional soccer in Fresno.
“Having a stadium of any sport tailored for that sport is important because it gives just that different touch, that different feel,” Easler told The Business Journal. “It should bring great value for the community, especially if it’s in the downtown area.”
Easler said that Fresno has often been overlooked on the national sports stage.
“When you think of California, you only think of the northern part and the southern part of the state,” he said. “This will put the city itself on a national platform.”
Paths to soccer development
While the Fuego are no longer affiliated with professional soccer, they still are an integral part of the sports community in the Central Valley. The organization is actively developing youth (U23, U19) teams, launching women’s, beach soccer and basketball programs, and constructing a new stadium and infrastructure to expand community opportunities and sports engagement.
They plan to build a stadium at the Blackbeard’s site.
Former Fresno Fuego and Fresno FC executive Jeremy Schultz, who is now the CEO of indoor soccer venue and pub Soccer City 1852 in Visalia, said the Central Valley has long proven it can support the sport, but the lack of a permanent home caused challenges for the teams in the past.
“There’s a proven fan base here, and there’s a lot of history,” Schultz said. “Every step along the way has been a building block to get to hopefully where we’re going — a soccer-specific stadium that can be part of the community.”
Schultz said a long-term venue is critical for sustainability.
“When you want a professional club that’s going to have longevity, you have to be able to sell those assets,” he said. “It’s hard to do that when you’re sharing a stadium.”
Community impact and economic potential
Justin Papadakis, USL deputy CEO and chief real estate officer, said the league centers on stadium-anchored, community-centered developments that create long-term economic impact for communities. He highlighted soccer’s younger fan base and fixed game windows as key factors in spending at surrounding small businesses.
“When we saw the amazing progress that’s been made in bringing infrastructure for a real vibrant district in downtown Fresno, we said, we want to be part of that story,” Papadakis said.
City officials said their goal is to work backward from a potential March 2028 kickoff, pending completion of due diligence and agreements.
“Today we are announcing our engagement,” Dyer said. “It is our intent to get married, but there are a lot of details we still have to work out.”