Indiana is another state having aspirations to have a team in the MLS soon. This goal may be facilitated by the new soccer stadium in the region's largest city, Indianapolis. It will be used by the Indy Eleven team, which plays in the USL Championship on a daily basis.

What will the investment in Indianapolis involve?

The 20,000-capacity arena is actually a part of a large and ambitious project. According to the plans, it will stand in the revitalised south-west side of Indianapolis, which is in the process of being transformed into the modern heart of the city. More than 600 flats, 205,000 square feet of office space and nearly 200,000 square feet of commercial and restaurant space, a hotel, green squares and public parking garages will also be built near the stadium. Later phases of the development are also expected to include a music centre for 4,000 people, rooftop bars and pedestrian routes connecting the city's major cultural venues.

Construction and development company Keystone Group is responsible for the project, named Eleven Park. Plans call for Diamond Chain – the company currently occupying the site, which recently ceased production – to vacate the occupied properties by the end of April. Demolition will begin in May, followed by the laying of the foundation stone for the development. Everything will be carried out on the basis of a new master plan, which was approved by Indianapolis officials in the second half of February 2023, and includes the revitalisation of the boulevards along the White River, which will be close to the site under construction. The city’s goal is to come up to the residents’ expectations. Young people are especially into sports, which bring them also to betting sites online, where the benefits and entertainment go hand in hand.

© Populous

What will be the new stadium in Indiana like?

The stadium is expected to be completed in 2025. What seems to be of particular interest are the stand layouts visualized in the renders. The northern sectors will be single-level, extremely steep and will have 2,400 seats. A premium building will be integrated into the western stand. It will feature skyboxes connected to a patio to follow the events on the pitch. A restaurant and bar facility for 700 fans is planned for the southern section, which will have a second patio facing the playing field. The façade will be glazed and equipped with dynamic colour-changing features.

Two architectural firms are responsible for conceptualising the arena's final design and facilities – the well-known company Populous, leading the project, and the local office Browning Day assisting them. As announced by Phil Kolbo, CEO of Populous, the stadium will be the gateway for the city of Indianapolis to the big soccer world. – A world-class stadium is designed as a true destination, a reflection of its community, and a catalyst for growth in the area. This is our mission with the new stadium for Indy Eleven. The stadium will anchor Eleven Park, providing a home for Indy Eleven that creates new and tailored experiences for Indianapolis fans in a venue designed with the innovation and aspirations of a great global soccer venue.

Also Ersal Ozdemir, founder of the Indy Eleven club and the Keystone Group, argues that this is a revolutionary project for the entire state of Indiana. – The vision of this transformational development into a live, work and play village is becoming a reality. Eleven Park will not only change the skyline of Indianapolis, but will add over a thousand jobs, have a huge economic impact, create quality of life benefits, and attract talent and opportunities to our city and state.

© Populous