Sacramento Republic FC submits application for expansion of new stadium

Construction of a new 12,000 seat stadium for Sacramento Republic FC is underway in the city’s Railyards neighborhood. Since breaking ground in August, construction crews have remained active at the site, preparing for foundation work to begin next year. Meanwhile, team leaders have taken steps towards the option of increasing capacity at stadium in the near future. While a representative from Sacramento Republic FC was not available for a formal interview on Friday, a spokesperson told KCRA 3 there is not a definitive timeline for putting the expansion plans submitted to the city into play, and that the paperwork was completed now to ensure, when the time comes, construction can move into Phase 2 quickly and cost-effectively.| PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Sacramento City Council fast-tracks infrastructure for railyards soccer stadiumThe optional expansion plan would increase seating capacity at the stadium from 12,000 as its currently being built to 20,000 seats. Should the team choose to move forward with those plans, the paperwork states the earliest it could open under those plans would be March 2028.”Once you go to a higher capacity, it does open up the door for a ton of new opportunities for this region,” said Scott Ford, deputy director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. Whether with 12,000 or 20,000 seats, the team expects the majority of events (two-thirds) held at the stadium will be soccer matches; The remainder are set to be concerts.If expanded, Ford said, having a large outdoor venue available downtown would strongly complement programming at the Golden One Center, which is indoors. He noted that sometimes tours or events are looking specifically for an option outside.“Having the ability to attract those types of performances into downtown Sacramento is going to complement very nicely the really dynamic and diverse programing that the Golden One Center offers,” he said. “(It’s) very exciting that they’re already looking at the possible expansion of the stadium.”| MORE | Video, photo renderings reveal final design for Sacramento Republic FC’s Railyards stadiumThe new stadium is already sparking excitement and attracting new business, according to Devin Strecker, the executive director of the River District. The River District neighbors The Railyards.”We have actually had people that are looking around for real estate because they know that the soccer stadium is coming and people want to be in this neighborhood now to kind of get their foot in the door,” Strecker said. “We’ve had people approach us looking for places for different food concepts — like food truck courts, different entertainment restaurant use. We have a lot of opportunities here that I think are going to be taken advantage of because of the stadium.”Strecker said lately he’s felt a change in momentum. “We’re just trying to capitalize on that and be the best neighborhood that we can be for our partners at the Wilton Rancheria, Sac Republic and Kaiser.”Kaiser broke ground on its 310-bed medical center in The Railyards in March. It’s slated for completion in 2029.Ford said overall investment in this part of downtown will help connect the surrounding neighborhoods, bringing vibrancy and investment to the city’s central core.”This market is deficient on downtown hotel rooms. We are very hopeful that the soccer stadium will be another nice catalyst to spur more investment in downtown hotel activity, which of course leads to more events,” he said. “I’m just excited that we are really starting to see The Railyards take shape.”Republic Stadium is expected to open in 2027 as the permanent home of the team.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

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Construction of a new 12,000 seat stadium for Sacramento Republic FC is underway in the city’s Railyards neighborhood. Since breaking ground in August, construction crews have remained active at the site, preparing for foundation work to begin next year. Meanwhile, team leaders have taken steps towards the option of increasing capacity at stadium in the near future.

While a representative from Sacramento Republic FC was not available for a formal interview on Friday, a spokesperson told KCRA 3 there is not a definitive timeline for putting the expansion plans submitted to the city into play, and that the paperwork was completed now to ensure, when the time comes, construction can move into Phase 2 quickly and cost-effectively.

| PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Sacramento City Council fast-tracks infrastructure for railyards soccer stadium

The optional expansion plan would increase seating capacity at the stadium from 12,000 as its currently being built to 20,000 seats. Should the team choose to move forward with those plans, the paperwork states the earliest it could open under those plans would be March 2028.

“Once you go to a higher capacity, it does open up the door for a ton of new opportunities for this region,” said Scott Ford, deputy director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership.

Whether with 12,000 or 20,000 seats, the team expects the majority of events (two-thirds) held at the stadium will be soccer matches; The remainder are set to be concerts.

If expanded, Ford said, having a large outdoor venue available downtown would strongly complement programming at the Golden One Center, which is indoors. He noted that sometimes tours or events are looking specifically for an option outside.

“Having the ability to attract those types of performances into downtown Sacramento is going to complement very nicely the really dynamic and diverse programing that the Golden One Center offers,” he said. “(It’s) very exciting that they’re already looking at the possible expansion of the stadium.”

| MORE | Video, photo renderings reveal final design for Sacramento Republic FC’s Railyards stadium

The new stadium is already sparking excitement and attracting new business, according to Devin Strecker, the executive director of the River District. The River District neighbors The Railyards.

“We have actually had people that are looking around for real estate because they know that the soccer stadium is coming and people want to be in this neighborhood now to kind of get their foot in the door,” Strecker said. “We’ve had people approach us looking for places for different food concepts — like food truck courts, different entertainment restaurant use. We have a lot of opportunities here that I think are going to be taken advantage of because of the stadium.”

Strecker said lately he’s felt a change in momentum.

“We’re just trying to capitalize on that and be the best neighborhood that we can be for our partners at the Wilton Rancheria, Sac Republic and Kaiser.”

Kaiser broke ground on its 310-bed medical center in The Railyards in March. It’s slated for completion in 2029.

Ford said overall investment in this part of downtown will help connect the surrounding neighborhoods, bringing vibrancy and investment to the city’s central core.

“This market is deficient on downtown hotel rooms. We are very hopeful that the soccer stadium will be another nice catalyst to spur more investment in downtown hotel activity, which of course leads to more events,” he said. “I’m just excited that we are really starting to see The Railyards take shape.”

Republic Stadium is expected to open in 2027 as the permanent home of the team.

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