The Detroit City Football Club plans to build a soccer-specific stadium in the Corktown/Southwest Detroit area, the club announced Thursday.
The club said it has acquired the former Southwest Detroit Hospital site at the corner of Michigan Avenue and 20th Street to build a new stadium. The goal is to open by the 2027 season.
Detroit currently plays at Hamtramck's historic Keyworth Stadium and began playing at Cass Tech High School. In 2016, they launched a capital project to renovate Keyworth, and have been playing there since 2016.
Detroit City FC
“This is a big step for our organization in building a modern venue that serves our club and community. We have lived in the city for many years and some of us live within walking distance of the venue. The club's leaders and founders see this project not only as an opportunity to grow the organization and the sport, but also as a civic initiative to contribute to society and return to the city we love. “We are committed to working with our supporters, city residents, and community leaders to build a community-based, grassroots professional soccer stadium that will serve the city of Detroit,” DCFC CEO Sean Mann said in a statement. We look forward to beginning the process of connecting with others.” .
Keyworth currently has about 7,000 fans, but Crain's Detroit Business, citing sources, said the proposed stadium could hold up to 14,000 fans.
Club officials said they plan to begin a public engagement process later this year and will reveal details about the stadium area after speaking with fans, residents and city officials.
“For true American sports fans, DCFC's home matches are must-sees, but we want our players, staff and supporters to retain the best elements of Keyworth, but with state-of-the-art facilities that make our club even stronger. We deserve a stadium.'The financial foundations are in place,'' DCFC co-owner Alex Wright added in a statement. “The city and people of Hamtramck have been there for us when we needed them. The investment by our club and supporters is a sign of our gratitude and will continue to make our forever home the same.” We are excited to take on the challenge of making it iconic.”
