Something new and something very big is happening in downtown Grand Rapids, MI. I am very excited to support this new league, and I hope Grand Rapids sees much growth in the community as time goes on with this investment.
Grand Rapids represents a big investment downtown along the Grand River. This investment is a huge stadium named “Amway Stadium”. This massive piece of infrastructure is being built at the corner of Pearl Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue. This again will be a big investment for Grand Rapids, but I believe we need it, and I think it will be very beneficial for all.
The cost of this huge project will be valued at over $175 million. This funding is coming from a mix of both public and private sources, one of course being Amway, with $33 million for naming rights, and over $100 million from lodging tax bonds. Grand Rapids has been growing not only in population but also in its infrastructure. This stadium will have a maximum holding capacity of 8,500, and will be expandable to up to 11,000. This project will create long-term economic impacts of more than $400 million, and also up to more than 330 job opportunities.
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and it’s growing more and more in Grand Rapids, too. The Grand Rapids FC team was introduced in 2014 and went on to perform for 7 years before disbanding. That soccer club introduced more community for many in Grand Rapids, and it was sad to see it go. When the Amway Stadium opens its doors for the first time in 2027, it will be six years since the last big soccer scene in Grand Rapids.
This is a big upgrade from the smaller GRFC team in 2021, though. Amway Stadium will be the home of a new MLS Next Pro team, and it will host about 17 home matches per season. This team is called the Athletic Club Grand Rapids (AC Grand Rapids). This venue will also be used to host fifty additional events every year. The design of the venue prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity. It features tiered seating, premium boxes, an open-air concourse, and amenities for neurodivergent individuals.
This project will take time to complete and grow more, but the benefits that come with it are huge. Grand Rapids needs more community in the soccer scene, and this will boost that even more. The economic impacts of this are great, and I can’t wait to attend games and other events in this future venue.
