Sacramento Republic FC and owner Wilton Rancheria announced in March updated plans for its Railyards stadium, revealing a canopy roof and a significant expansion that will bring total seating capacity to more than 20,000.
The redesign adds 8,000 seats to the original proposal and positions the venue as a major hub for soccer, concerts and large-scale entertainment events.
“We’re proud to deliver a 20,000-plus seat, soccer-first stadium, the largest professional sports and entertainment venue in the region, and a home where community comes together and our collective future takes shape,” said Jesus Tarango, chairman of Wilton Rancheria.
Initial plans called for a 12,000-seat stadium, but the expanded design will now accommodate up to 27,000 guests for non-sporting events. Team officials say the larger capacity reflects both growing fan demand and Sacramento’s potential as a destination for major events.
In an interview with KCRA 3, Republic FC Vice President Scott Moak said the arena is designed for maximum fan enjoyment.
“We’re going to build this thing from what we know Sacramento deserves, what our fans deserve,” he said.
Reaching the 20,000-seat benchmark also keeps the club eligible for a potential future bid to join Major League Soccer. The topic has been discussed since the collapse of the deal that saw Sacramento granted an expansion franchise.
“This Sacramento Republic FC Stadium is a centerpiece of the Railyards and boosts our economic growth. Beyond that, the stadium brings more life and more fun to Sacramento and our core. The City is very excited to welcome the larger stadium, allowing more fans to see a professional soccer game in person. We also know that an MLS opportunity is on the horizon.” Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said in a statement posted on X.
According to the team, construction is expected to continue through 2027, with the stadium on track to open in 2028 as a permanent home for the club and a premier venue for major events across Northern California. The privately funded project is estimated to cost around $350 million.