USL Arkansas
Full nameUSL Arkansas
FoundedJuly 12, 2023 (2023-07-12)
StadiumPinnacle Hills Stadium
Capacity5,000
OwnerChris Martinovic
Warren Smith
LeagueUSL Championship

USL Arkansas is an upcoming American professional soccer team based in Rogers, Arkansas. Founded in 2023, the club plans to have a men's team in the USL Championship before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and a women's team in the USL Super League debuting in late 2026.

History

On July 12, 2023, the USL awarded an expansion team to the city of Rogers, Arkansas that will represent the Northwest Arkansas region.[1] [2][3] The ownership group consists of Chris Martinovic and Warren Smith. The club plans to build a new, 5,000-seat stadium located in Rogers.

A "Name the Team" campaign created by ownership to hear fan suggestions for team names and branding was ongoing as of 2023.[4]

Stadium

USL Arkansas plans to build a 5,000-seat modular stadium in the Pinnacle Hills district of Rogers, just north of the Pinnacle Hills Promenade. They're expected to buy the land through an agreement with Rogers philanthropist Johnelle Hunt, the landowner. Initial assessments suggest an approximate cost of $15 million to $20 million for the stadium, including land costs.[5]

Supporters

In 2021, a group of soccer fans from Northwest Arkansas heard rumors that USL was looking to expand to the region, and started “USL to Northwest Arkansas” on social media to build support for professional soccer in Northwest Arkansas.

After USL Arkansas went public in July 2023, the group adopted "USL Arkansas Supporters Group" as their temporary name. While they're not an official Supporters Group of the club yet, they're working to become one.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Professional Soccer Landing in Northwest Arkansas". Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Pro soccer teams and a new 5,000-seat stadium are coming to Northwest Arkansas". Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  3. ↑ "USL Arkansas plans soccer club in Northwest Arkansas". Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  4. ↑ "USL Arkansas Invites Community to "Name The Team" in Latest Campaign". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Renderings provide first look at pro soccer stadium in Rogers". Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  6. ↑ "Supporter's Group". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
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