Efforts to bring professional soccer back to Northern Nevada are gaining momentum in Reno. The centerpiece of the project is the construction of the region’s first soccer-specific stadium, which will serve as the future home of a new United Soccer League (USL) franchise.

Groundbreaking set for later this year

Nine months ago, two properties along Kietzke Lane were acquired as the site of the new venue. One of the lots has already been cleared following the demolition of the former Jones West car dealership, marking the first visible step in a project designed to bring professional soccer back to Reno.

Reno Pro Soccer CEO Wendy Damonte recently confirmed that the development remains on schedule. Project documentation has already been submitted to city authorities and is currently undergoing the required planning and environmental approval process. Although fans are undoubtedly waiting with anticipation for key decisions regarding sports infrastructure, in just a few days all eyes will be on the stadiums hosting the world’s biggest football tournament. For those looking to enhance the excitement of the competition, checking out the latest World Cup Betting Tips can provide valuable insights, match predictions, and expert analysis.

Following minor modifications related to traffic infrastructure, developers are preparing to resubmit updated plans. If approvals proceed as expected, all necessary permits should be secured by late summer or early fall, allowing construction to begin before the end of 2025.

Reno aims to restore professional soccer

Northern Nevada is no stranger to professional soccer. Between 2017 and 2020, Reno was represented by Reno 1868 FC, a club that became one of the USL’s strongest teams both on the field and at the box office. The team played its home matches at Greater Nevada Field, the home of the Reno Aces baseball franchise.

Despite its success, Reno 1868 FC folded after the 2020 season due largely to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced matches to be played without spectators. According to Damonte, the loss of the club was deeply felt by the local community and remains a major motivation behind the current effort to establish a sustainable long-term soccer project.

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Stadium to anchor a major entertainment district

The planned stadium is expected to seat around 6,000 spectators and carry a construction cost of approximately $80 million. Building the venue was one of the key conditions attached to Reno receiving a USL expansion franchise, which was awarded in October last year.

The project is led by an ownership group consisting of Wendy Damonte, Todd Davis, Bob Enzenberger, and former United States international John Doyle, who serves as the organization’s director of soccer operations.

Former U.S. national team player Taylor Twellman believes Reno has all the ingredients necessary to support a professional soccer club. In his view, Nevada has long been an important soccer development state, while the success of professional teams in Las Vegas has changed perceptions of major-league sports throughout the region.

The Reno Pro Soccer project extends far beyond the stadium itself. The venue will serve as the centerpiece of a $350 million entertainment district designed to revitalize an underdeveloped part of the city. The proposed development, known as The Boulevard Reno, includes a seven-story hotel and casino, a convention center, a theater, a parking structure, more than 20 commercial spaces, residential buildings, and a public gathering area called Electric Avenue.

Developers envision a destination where visitors can spend entire afternoons and evenings. The concept includes convenient access, a wide range of dining options, family-friendly public spaces, and numerous attractions before and after matches.

One of the project’s most prominent supporters is actor Rob McElhenney, co-owner of Wrexham AFC, who is also currently involved in the development of the club’s new stadium, STōK Cae Ras. According to McElhenney, the success of any football club depends above all on its relationship with the local community. He argues that a club’s primary mission should not simply be winning matches, but creating a source of pride for local residents. That strong connection between club and city is expected to be a cornerstone of Reno’s future soccer project as well.

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A project designed to last for generations

Reno Pro Soccer officials insist that the club is not being launched as a short-term experiment. Investors have repeatedly stressed that professional soccer is returning to Reno permanently and that the project will become part of their personal and business legacy.

If the current timeline is maintained, residents could see construction crews arrive on site before the end of this year, marking the beginning of one of the most ambitious sports and entertainment developments in Northern Nevada’s history.