On July 31, Orlando City Soccer Club hosted a press conference in the city of Orlando to announce the development of its new downtown stadium.
An average match attendance of 34,000, with a large fan and market response, led Orlando City to make the decision to privately fund the stadium earlier this year, and include additional enhancements to improve guest experiences. The design aims to create the loudest and most intimidating atmosphere in Major League Soccer.
“We are thrilled with the work to date and proud to unveil the latest set of renderings for our home in downtown,” said Majority Owner Flavio Augusto da Silva at the conference. “This new privately financed stadium will be a state-of-the-art venue for our club and for our fans. It will also create more jobs for the community and bring significant economic impact to the city of Orlando and surrounding communities. With construction underway, we look forward to hosting the first games in the new stadium next year.”
Orlando City Soccer Club also released venue enhancements for the stadium, which include:
- Increased capacity of approximately 25,500 seats – added seating in the corners of the stadium and in the South end
- An all-natural grass playing surface eight feet below grade, built to offer “spectacular views from street level”
- Enhanced premium amenities in the East Stands
- A low slanted canopy roof covering the North, East, West and South stands, designed to amplify crowd noise and provide shelter from the sun and rain
- North America’s only safe-standing supporter section
- 360-degree concourse with additional concessions and fan amenities for a premier fan experience
- 31 suites including a 90-person “super suite” and a 59-person group suite
- 8,400 square-foot indoor Club in the West stand
- 10,000 square-foot open air Supporters Terrace
- 452,000 square-foot multi-purpose stadium
The site of the Lions’ home sits two blocks away from the Amway Center and will be within walking distance to Downtown Orlando’s Church Street and Orange Avenue.
Estimated completion of the stadium has been slated for summer of 2016.
