Sacramento (Nov. 7, 2024) - Today, the City of Sacramento, in collaboration with Sacramento Republic FC and Downtown Railyard Venture, announced plans to develop a new soccer stadium and a live entertainment venue in The Railyards, part of a broader Downtown revitalization effort that will generate millions of dollars in economic, cultural and sports activity in the heart of Sacramento.

“Our journey to bring professional soccer to The Railyards began eight years ago. Today is a powerful testament to our commitment to creating a more vibrant and thriving Sacramento,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “These developments represent more than just economic growth; it's about building a better place for everyone, with enhanced opportunities for housing, entertainment, and commercial activity. I'm grateful to our partners and everyone who has been part of this transformative journey."

The proposed stadium development will be supported through a major investment by Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento County’s only federally recognized Tribe. As part of today’s announcement, the Tribe will become the majority owners of Sacramento Republic FC, Sacramento’s premier USL Championship team, and the first Native American Tribe to hold majority ownership in a men’s professional sports franchise.

The ancestors of Wilton Rancheria have been stewards of the Sacramento Valley region since time immemorial. This partnership allows its citizens to continue to flourish on their ancestral lands while building an enduring legacy for the Tribal Nation.

“I am deeply proud to witness this moment, which stands as a profound testament to the resilience and determination of the people of Wilton Rancheria,” said Chairman Jesus Tarango, Jr. “In just over a decade, our Tribe has transformed from landless to becoming a significant economic force in the region. The opportunity to drive a project of such scale and importance, on land where our ancestors once walked, is deeply meaningful. This is not only a chance to honor our history and uplift our community, but also to envision a future where we are not only part of Sacramento's past, but an integral part of its future as well.”

This broader $321 million, multi-part investment plan is built upon two public-private partnerships designed to revitalize Sacramento’s iconic Railyards:

Sacramento Republic FC, through its limited liability company Indomitable Ventures, will finance and manage the development of an expandable 12,000-seat, state-of-the-art soccer stadium.
Downtown Railyard Venture will develop a 3,600-capacity live entertainment venue in the historic Central Shops.

The infrastructure required for these developments will be supported in part by expanding the existing Stadium Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) to include the entire 220-acre site, which is estimated to generate over $518 million with approximately $95 million for infrastructure reimbursement to support these projects.

A Term Sheet outlining the broader investment plans will be presented to the Sacramento City Council for approval on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Components of the Term Sheet also include:

Digital signage plan: City staff will work with both project proponents to secure planning approvals for digital billboards in yet-to-be-determined locations off-site and within the Railyards.
City services for soccer events: The City will provide city services such as police, traffic control, fire prevention, trash removal etc. for soccer events for 10 years, with a spending cap of $300,000 a year.
Soccer community benefits: A robust community benefits package includes $4.5 million in charitable contributions, free youth clinics, construction of community fields, community tickets, volunteer hours, and public access to facilities.
Sacramento Valley Station development: Using $14 million of existing economic development funding, the City will be purchasing essential property to build out the Sacramento Valley Station in support of the Station Area Plan. The City will be repaid for this purchase through the EIFD.

The stadium and entertainment venue are anticipated to generate 910 jobs, and the entertainment venue is anticipated to generate 390 jobs with the over $90 million in infrastructure anticipated to generate an additional 360 jobs.

The stadium is scheduled to be completed in late 2026 and the entertainment venue in 2027.

"The proposed soccer stadium and entertainment venue in the Railyards showcase what’s possible when public and private sectors unite to drive meaningful progress,” said Howard Chan, Sacramento City Manager. “This vision reflects the dedication of our Mayor and City Council, City staff and partners, who have been instrumental in bringing it forward.”

The Railyards, with its historic industrial roots, is transforming into a vibrant extension of downtown. Recent developments include the Wong Center for senior housing, the AJ mixed-use project featuring affordable housing, and a future Kaiser hospital. With a new Republic FC soccer stadium, entertainment venue, and private infrastructure funding, The Railyards will become a cultural and economic hub, enhancing connectivity, job creation, and growth in both commercial and residential sectors.

“Both the sports and entertainment destinations combined with the imminent Kaiser hospital campus puts The Railyards on a path to become Sacramento's most dynamic mixed-use development project in our region’s history,” said Denton Kelley, President & CEO, Downtown Railyard Venture.

“This has been a long and winding road. I’m so happy for our incredibly patient supporters, and the City as a whole. My sincere thanks to Wilton Rancheria, the Mayor, and all involved in bringing this to fruition. Now let’s get to work,” said Kevin Nagle, Managing Partner of Sacramento Republic FC.

Watch press conference here: