TAMPA, FL (February 12, 2024) – Marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of professional sports in Tampa Bay, the Tampa Bay Sun FC women’s professional soccer team joined key stakeholders Monday to launch more than $6 million in transformative upgrades to the riverfront stadium in Downtown Tampa that will serve as the team’s first home.
The event came shortly after Friday’s announcement that the new USL Super League, the league Tampa Bay Sun FC will join, has been approved as a Division One league. This means Tampa Bay’s new women’s soccer team will compete at the highest level in pro sports, with the same major league status as the NWSL, WNBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA.
“Our goal is to create an unparalleled experience for our fans, while also fostering a sense of unity within our community. The upgraded stadium will serve as a beacon of excitement for soccer enthusiasts across Tampa Bay,” said Tampa Bay Sun FC President Christina Unkel.
Construction to begin this week
Scheduled to begin construction within the week and completed by August, the upgrades will usher in a new era for the stadium, creating an electrifying atmosphere for fans while fostering unique sports and learning opportunities for students at neighboring Blake High School.
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey,” said Blake High School Principal Valerie Newton.
“This investment will have a tremendous positive impact for our student athletes and fans—and it will also contribute to student learning and improve our community as a whole.”
Allen Greene II, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Envision Construction Services, provided an overview of the planned upgrades, highlighting:
- Enhanced seating areas, with some sections being completely rebuilt, to bring capacity from 1,800 to more than 5,000 fans
- Expanded concessions areas for fans to shop for food and merchandise
- Added “fan zones” for family activities before each game
- Upgraded locker room facilities for players and coaches to prepare for games
- A new state-of-the-art scoreboard, with plans to reuse the stadium’s existing scoreboard at another school
- The installation of high-end turf approved for professional soccer use by FIFA, the international governing body for soccer
Positive partnership
The event Monday included a tour, with insights into the scope and scale of the planned enhancements, as well as a ceremonial “kickoff,” symbolizing the start of construction activities. The ceremony featured a special moment as Marcela Barillas, a member of the Blake High School girls’ soccer team, ceremoniously kicked off a commemorative soccer ball that was then presented to the school, underscoring the collaborative spirit between the team and the local community.
Greene also emphasized unique learning opportunities for Blake High School students during the construction phase, saying, “We are dedicated to not only delivering top-tier facilities but also creating meaningful educational opportunities for the students of Blake High School. Through on-site visits and hands-on experiences, we’re looking to inspire the next generation of builders and innovators.”
Tampa Bay Sun FC will compete at the stadium for the club’s first several years; the upgrades will be permanent, at no cost to taxpayers, and will remain in place when the team later moves to its permanent home.
Hillsborough School Board Member Henry “Shake” Washington underscored the significance of the partnership between the Sun soccer team and Hillsborough County Public Schools. “This project shows the power of collaboration to create positive improvements in our community,” Washington said. “These upgrades will benefit students and soccer fans and everyone in Hillsborough County.”
The Tampa Bay Sun Football Club is now accepting deposits for season tickets on its website. The deposit for the club’s August 2024 debut is $24 per ticket. Longtime USF women’s soccer coach Denise Schilte-Brown has been named the club’s inaugural head coach. Childhood friends Darryl Shaw, David Laxer, and Jeff Fox serve as owners of the team, which will compete in the newly established USL Super League.
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