Soccer-specific stadium (SSS) is a term used mainly in the United States. It was coined by Lamar Hunt to refer to a sports stadium whose primary (but not only) purpose is to host soccer matches. An SSS may host other events such as other sporting events (e.g., Professional Lacrosse, high school football) or musical concerts but the design and purpose of an SSS is to be centered around soccer.
An SSS will have amenities, dimensions and scale suitable for soccer in the United States. An SSS would typically have a scoreboard, video screen, luxury suites and possibly even a roof. The field dimensions would be within the range found optimal by FIFA. Lastly, the amount of seating should be small enough to provide an intimate setting, between 18,000 - 30,000 for a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise, or between 5,000 - ~12,000 for a franchise in the United Soccer Leagues (whose attendances are subject to more variation), as opposed to the gigantic football stadiums that most MLS teams were compelled to play in at the league's advent.
The term "football specific stadium" is sometimes used in countries where the sport is known as football. This tends to have a slightly different meaning, usually referring to a stadium without an athletic track.
List of Soccer-specific stadiums
| Stadium |
Club(s) |
City |
League |
Capacity |
Year |
Former Stadium |
Capacity |
|
Lockhart Stadium (renovated)
|
Miami Fusion F.C. (1998-2001)
|
Fort Lauderdale
|
MLS
|
22,500 |
1998
|
N/A |
N/A |
| Virginia Beach Sportsplex |
Virginia Beach Mariners
|
Virginia Beach
|
USL
|
10,000 |
1999
|
? |
? |
|
Columbus Crew Stadium
|
Columbus Crew
|
Columbus
|
MLS
|
22,500 |
1999
|
Ohio Stadium
|
85,000 |
|
Blackbaud Stadium
|
Charleston Battery
|
Charleston
|
USL
|
5,113 |
1999
|
? |
? |
|
Home Depot Center
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
C.D. Chivas USA
|
Carson
|
MLS
|
27,000 |
2003
|
Rose Bowl (Galaxy only)
|
92,542 |
|
PAETEC Park
|
Rochester Raging Rhinos
|
Rochester
|
USL
|
17,500 |
2004
|
Frontier Field
|
12,000 |
Frisco Soccer &
Entertainment Center (tbd)
|
F.C. Dallas
|
Frisco
|
MLS
|
21,193 |
2005
|
Cotton Bowl
|
68,252 |
| Atlanta Silverbacks Park |
Atlanta Silverbacks
|
Atlanta
|
USL
|
5000(?) |
2006
|
DeKalb Memorial Stadium
|
15,000 |
| Fire House (tbd) |
Chicago Fire
|
Bridgeview
|
MLS
|
~20,000 |
2006
|
Soldier Field
|
63,000 |
| Rapids Stadium (tbd) |
Colorado Rapids
|
Commerce City
|
MLS
|
~20,000 |
2007
|
INVESCO Field
|
76,125 |
Proposed
See also
External Links
Last updated: 10-24-2005 01:55:38
