Sacramento Gaining an MLS Team, a New Stadium, and a Big Mixed-Use Development

Sacramento Republic FC will have a new home in Sacramento's Railyard District, expected for completion by 2022.

1 minute read

October 25, 2019, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Railyards District

Chris Allan / Shutterstock

The city of Sacramento will soon have a Major League Soccer team in its midst.

According to an article by Danial Kim, "a smiling MLS Commissioner Don Garber formally announced that a Sacramento investor group headed by business magnate Ron Burkle has been awarded the 29th and perhaps second-to-last franchise in the nation’s top professional soccer league."

The announcement in effect elevates the city's existing USL Championship-level team, Sacramento Republic FC, to Major League Soccer.

Having achieved this major benchmark, the investor group will now shift its focus to the development of a new $252 million soccer stadium, expected to be ready to host games by 2022 (an announcement published on the team's website estimates that price tag at $300 million). The 20,000-plus-seat stadium will be located in Downtown Sacramento's Railyard District, according to Kim. 

"The stadium will be a centerpiece of a redevelopment project that will include housing, retail, theaters, parks, museums, a hotel and a major medical center," according to the announcement on the team's website.

A supplementary opinion piece, written by Marcos Bretón, follows up on the news about the announcement with a bit of optimism for the city's future.

Monday, October 21, 2019 in The Sacramento Bee

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Silhouette of man holding on to back of bicycle ridden by woman with Eiffel Tower in background.

Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution

The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.

April 14 - Momentum Magazine

Multifamily housing under construction.

Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas

Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.

April 14 - San Francisco Chronicle

Western coyote looking at camera in grassy field.

San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes

San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.

April 14 - Fox 5