New Omaha Soccer Stadium

[1HuskerDad]

Has anyone ever been to one of their games at Werner Park?



OMAHA, Neb. – Alliance Sports today announced its plans for an innovative, state-of-the-art soccer stadium for Union Omaha. Positioned as the centerpiece of an extensive $300 million, 18-acre mixed-use project along Abbott Drive in downtown Omaha, the $60 million stadium is poised to start construction in fall 2024, with doors opening to the public in the spring 2026.
This strategic initiative not only aims to invigorate economic growth but also contributes to the dynamic evolution of downtown Omaha. Additionally, the project is actively pursuing legislation inclusion in the Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act, anticipating a cumulative support of $25 million for the stadium project over 20 years.
The key components of the initial development plan include:

• Soccer stadium: An approximately 7,000-seat soccer stadium serving as the new home for Union Omaha, Nebraska's only professional soccer team. Plans include adding a women's soccer team in the future.
• Residential units: Approximately 330 residential units, comprising a mix of apartments and townhomes, contributing to the urban living experience within the district.
• Retail space: A significant retail component of around 100,000 square feet, providing diverse shopping and dining options for residents and visitors.
• Hotel: An approximately 140-key hotel, enhancing the area's hospitality offerings and catering to the needs of the growing community.

"The development planned by Alliance Sports is another commitment we all have to downtown Omaha and our urban core," said Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert. "It will create additional opportunities for business and talent recruitment, tourism, conventions and meeting bookings and youth sports events, growing our reputation as a sports competition and event destination that promotes Omaha to a national audience."
An economic impact study conducted in 2021 projected the stadium would have a $99 million impact on the State of Nebraska and $168 million on the City of Omaha from the stadium alone. The surrounding development is expected to further contribute with a projected $200 million impact and the creation of 450 new jobs.
"This district will help add to the exciting development already happening in downtown Omaha," said Gary Green, co-founder of Alliance Sports. "It falls in line with the Greater Omaha Chamber's Urban Core Strategic Plan for bringing economic development and jobs to the heart of the city, and we are very excited to see it moving forward."

 

[2010sarenevercomingback]

Will there be a dedicated area for homosexual encounters, for all these soccer-lovers?

 

[Papa...Football]

How many days a year does TD Ameritrade, er Schwab field sit empty? Or where they play now?

Is taxpayer money financing this?

 

[2010sarenevercomingback]

Is taxpayer money financing this?

Yes, to an extent. Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act basically lets them get paid back a big chunk out of all the sales tax collected by businesses in the immediate area.

 

[Baron Winnebago]

Will there be a dedicated area for homosexual encounters, for all these soccer-lovers?

Bend over and I'll show ya

 

[nja13]

That seems like a really good location. I'll likely never visit since it seems like they're just going to use it for soccer.

Unless maybe they play the high school football championships there. Seems like a 7,000 seat stadium could be a better fit than a 90 percent empty Memorial Stadium.

 

[Huskers4420]

Omaha riverfront area has taken major strides in the last couple years. Pretty cool.

 

[Turn Down for What]

We have a soccer team?

 

[Dell Husker]

We have a soccer team?

Omaha* has a soccer team, yes

 

[Papa...Football]

That seems like a really good location. I'll likely never visit since it seems like they're just going to use it for soccer.

Unless maybe they play the high school football championships there. Seems like a 7,000 seat stadium could be a better fit than a 90 percent empty Memorial Stadium.

While true about the stadium size, would you (as a high school player) rather play in the home of the Huskers or in south Carter Lake?

 

[Jay Bilzerian]

Will there be a dedicated area for homosexual encounters, for all these soccer-lovers?

Yes. It’s called Lincoln

 

[nja13]

While true about the stadium size, would you (as a high school player) rather play in the home of the Huskers or in south Carter Lake?

Point made!

But I've never been a fan of the finals in Memorial. You go from playing in a packed high school stadium, great atmosphere, people standing all around the track and field... to playing in an empty stadium for the championship. I'm sure it's cool playing on the N and getting the HuskerVision treatment, but I like it when a big game feels like a big game, and that's hard to do playing in front of 80,000 empty seats.

 

[Frogsker30]

Point made!

But I've never been a fan of the finals in Memorial. You go from playing in a packed high school stadium, great atmosphere, people standing all around the track and field... to playing in an empty stadium for the championship. I'm sure it's cool playing on the N and getting the HuskerVision treatment, but I like it when a big game feels like a big game, and that's hard to do playing in front of 80,000 empty seats.

As some one who played at Memorial for a state title your statement is not totally wrong. But for the most part playing there outweighed the "emptiness" although we were able to hear our fans (if we were on the sideline/timeouts) and not the others.

 

[herbsinator]

Omaha riverfront area has taken major strides in the last couple years. Pretty cool.

I’m not sure if it’s been publicly announced yet so I won’t give details, but I think there is another 9 figure investment/development in the works down by the luminarium. All of the development in downtown Omaha with the new mall and riverfront has been really incredible.

 

[Frogsker30]

I’m not sure if it’s been publicly announced yet so I won’t give details, but I think there is another 9 figure investment/development in the works down by the luminarium. All of the development in downtown Omaha with the new mall and riverfront has been really incredible.

Im also not sure it has been announce but in my pervious job I did the initial survey for it. As well as a lot of the other development (Luminarium, up where the soccer field is going, the restaurant up there. and other shit)

 

[Snockered69]

I’ve moved to the crowd of not 1 cent of tax payer dollar should be put toward building new venues for sports teams. If you want the stadium, privately fund and understand your audience and know how many fans you're gonna draw to know if you can afford it. TD is a prime example of Taxpayer waste of money.

 

[Jim14510]

I’ve moved to the crowd of not 1 cent of tax payer dollar should be put toward building new venues for sports teams. If you want the stadium, privately fund and understand your audience and know how many fans you're gonna draw to know if you can afford it. TD is a prime example of Taxpayer waste of money.

I wouldn't say zero. I would guess too much money is spent that way. Never researched the additional tax revenues/jobs/population growth vs cost but it's most likely a losing cause in nearly every case. There are also non financial considerations. TD definitely seems excessive for the sole purpose of keeping the CWS.

 

[Papa...Football]

Point made!

But I've never been a fan of the finals in Memorial. You go from playing in a packed high school stadium, great atmosphere, people standing all around the track and field... to playing in an empty stadium for the championship. I'm sure it's cool playing on the N and getting the HuskerVision treatment, but I like it when a big game feels like a big game, and that's hard to do playing in front of 80,000 empty seats.

Point made back!

My son played there for a Championship and it seemed pretty dang cool for him and us as parents. The team loved it as well, but of course they won so that helped 😎

 

[Papa...Football]

I’ve moved to the crowd of not 1 cent of tax payer dollar should be put toward building new venues for sports teams. If you want the stadium, privately fund and understand your audience and know how many fans you're gonna draw to know if you can afford it. TD is a prime example of Taxpayer waste of money.

I’m in this crowd as well. Why in an earlier post I suggested TD sits empty a LOT and could be utilized instead of a new stadium. Or add seats at Ceeightons Soccer stadium and use that more.

Does any taxpayer money ever go to Memorial Stadium improvements? The largest (I imagine) sports related tax revenue driving force in the state

 

[Baron Winnebago]

I wouldn't say zero. I would guess too much money is spent that way. Never researched the additional tax revenues/jobs/population growth vs cost but it's most likely a losing cause in nearly every case. There are also non financial considerations. TD definitely seems excessive for the sole purpose of keeping the CWS.

Just don't build them as money makers. If you think they provide a public good of some kind go for it, but don't pretend it's a good monetary investment