DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation is moving forward with plans to build a professional soccer stadium in downtown Des Moines.
The site promises to offer a variety of other sporting and cultural events, as there will be a community space surrounding the stadium called the Global Plaza.
The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation is working with the City of Des Moines to secure the site of the old Dico Superfund site off of 16th Street.
The multi-million dollar project has Catch Des Moines President Greg Edwards excited.
“Des Moines is really ready for a pro soccer team,” Edwards said. “Soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in the country right now, so I just think it’s fantastic.”
The group overseeing the project, the Iowa Soccer Development Foundation, submitted a final application for funding through the Iowa Reinvestment Act for $23.5 million.
If all goes to plan, Pro Iowa will be a team in the USL Championship, the second highest ranked league in the U.S., only behind the MLS.
If the Iowa Reinvestment Act funding is approved, the project will have secured $75.15 million from private and public donors, but will still need $19.85 million more.
The stadium was supposed to open for the 2025 season, but it was delayed due to supply chain issues and cost challenges.
Edwards believes that the project will attract people from all over, which will help surrounding downtown businesses.
“With the Iowa Wolves and Iowa Wild a lot of people come from the Minnesota area because they’re fans of the professional teams,” Edwards said. “The Cubs draw people from all over the Midwest if you’re a Midwest fan. It’ll be a true draw.”
Krause+ will invest $500 million to add real estate developments in the area surrounding the stadium.