7,600-seat, privately-funded stadium will become anchor of an emerging entertainment district on Elk Street near Buffalo River

Buffalo Pro Soccer launches ‘Founding Member’ campaign, inviting fans to place deposit on season tickets for inaugural season

BUFFALO, NY (April 11, 2025) – Buffalo Pro Soccer today announced plans to construct a 7,600-seat, privately-funded stadium near the Buffalo River in the city’s Valley neighborhood. Set to be located at Elk and Lee Street, the stadium will serve as a driving force in the development of a new entertainment district that is taking shape in the City of Buffalo.

Buffalo Pro Soccer revealed the first official renderings of its stadium and announced construction is slated to begin this summer. Among the 7,600 seats it will host, the forthcoming stadium will feature family-friendly ticket prices, a designated high-energy, safe-standing supporters’ section, and elevated experiences in its 12 hospitality suites, two private party areas, and club-level seats. Buffalo Pro Soccer’s plans also call for training facilities for its athletes and academy, offices for team staff, as well as ample parking and transportation options for fans.

Fans now have a limited opportunity to secure their priority spot as a season-ticket member for Buffalo Pro Soccer’s inaugural season through a “Founding Member” campaign, which the club launched Friday. By placing a deposit on tickets before the start of construction this summer, supporters can lock in their status as a Founding Member and reserve early access to season tickets in the sections of their choosing — learn more at buffaloprosoccer.com/tickets

“I am honored to introduce our city to the home of Buffalo Pro Soccer — a destination for everyone in Buffalo to experience the joy and power of the world’s game. It will be a gathering place where our community will come together to celebrate victories, support each other through challenges, and bring Buffalo’s hardworking, never-give-up mentality to life on the field and in the stands. In this new stadium, Buffalo Pro Soccer will grow alongside our city as we strive for excellence every day,” said Peter Marlette Jr., President of Buffalo Pro Soccer. “This project will provide a significant private investment into our city, leveraging sports as a catalyst for development. Our Founding Members will be an important part of our work to build a winning team that thrives here in our new home.”

The project will use modular construction to accelerate the timeline to build and open Buffalo’s first professional soccer-specific stadium. Buffalo Pro Soccer has engaged LaBella Associates, the preferred architect and engineer of the USL, as its lead architect and MEP engineer, Wendel Companies to provide civil engineering, SixFive Stadium Experience to serve as modular stadium advisor and supplier, and Campus Construction Management Group as the construction manager. Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation provided development services and Newmark Ciminelli represented Buffalo Pro Soccer in the lease transaction.

Privately Funded Stadium Construction

The stadium’s construction will be privately funded by Buffalo Pro Soccer’s growing team of equity investors. Among those who recently joined its investor group, Buffalo Pro Soccer welcomes the Buffalo Bills’ longest-tenured player and fan favorite, Reid Ferguson, to the club ownership group.

“As an adopted member of the Buffalo community, I could not be more excited to be a part of the Buffalo Pro Soccer project, bringing professional soccer to the Western New York area,” said Ferguson. “Buffalo’s passion for its sports teams is second to none, so I know how much starting this journey will mean to this city. Let’s make some history!”

Buffalo Pro Soccer is also partnering with prominent regional business leader Jon M. Williams, CEO of Viridi and founder of OSC, as a new investor in the club. Williams owns the site where the new stadium will be constructed.

“The Valley neighborhood has long been a cornerstone of Buffalo’s history. This project represents a significant opportunity to continue the transformation of this Buffalo neighborhood into a vibrant, thriving area,” said Williams. “The new stadium will not only be the keystone for Buffalo Pro Soccer, but also a new chapter for our city, combining sports, entertainment, and community development in a way that reflects our passion and spirit.”

Joining USL as League Rapidly Grows

Buffalo Pro Soccer’s new stadium adds to the excitement surrounding the United Soccer League (USL), the largest and fastest-growing professional soccer organization in the country. In March 2024, Buffalo Pro Soccer announced its exclusive partnership with the league to bring a USL Championship club to the City of Buffalo. Just last month, USL announced plans to adopt a promotion-and-relegation system, a decision that will transform the professional soccer landscape in the U.S.

“Buffalo is a passionate sports city and home to a strong soccer fanbase. We’re excited to bring professional soccer to Buffalo, giving local fans and residents a club of their own to support,” said Justin Papadakis, Deputy CEO & Chief Real Estate Officer at USL. “This new stadium will be more than a home for professional soccer, it will serve as a community hub for the region, creating memorable experiences and driving economic growth.” 

Buffalo’s Emerging Entertainment District

Buffalo Pro Soccer’s stadium will serve as an anchor for an emerging entertainment district that will feature the recently announced ShotClub Social Buffalo as well as The Powerhouse, a premier events center. Located in the Valley neighborhood, an area historically known for its tight-knit community and industrial strength, this entertainment district will build on recent development activity and attract more visitors to the city through the unique experiences it will offer.

“Buffalo Pro Soccer’s decision to build a privately funded stadium on the former Buffalo Color site is a tremendous vote of confidence in the Valley community and its future,” said City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon. “The city and its partners in government and the private sector have invested substantial financial resources cleaning up the former industrial legacy sites surrounding the area where the stadium will be located as well as the Buffalo River. As is evidenced by the location we’re at today and the economic redevelopment that continues right down the street in Larkinville and along the Ohio Street corridor, those efforts have spearheaded a transformational impact that the Valley and Old First Ward communities have long deserved. I want to thank Peter Marlette Jr., President of Buffalo Pro Soccer, and the team’s ownership group, for bringing their United Soccer League vision to life in the City of Buffalo”.

In addition to serving as the home of Buffalo Pro Soccer, the multi-use stadium will host a range of sports events, outdoor concerts, and local gatherings. Young players from the Buffalo Pro Soccer Youth Academy will also have the opportunity to play at the new stadium, showing local athletes of all ages that the goal of playing professional soccer is within their reach.

Excitement, Pride Voiced for Buffalo Pro Soccer

Local, state, and federal leaders expressed support for Buffalo Pro Soccer and its future home stadium.

Congressman Tim Kennedy said, “As a lifelong Buffalonian, I couldn’t be prouder to see this level of investment and community vision taking root in our city. Buffalo Pro Soccer’s new stadium will not only energize our local economy – it will inspire the next generation of athletes and fans across Western New York and beyond.”

State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “Buffalo Pro Soccer is another team our great fans from across the region can come and support while the new stadium will serve as a pillar to a developing entertainment district in the City of Buffalo.”

State Senator Sean Ryan said, “Congratulations to Peter and the Buffalo Pro Soccer team on this exciting milestone. They have done the work to engage the community throughout this process, and I’m confident they have kept the needs of the people of Buffalo at the forefront of their planning. We all know that Buffalo gets behind its teams like no other city, and I have no doubt that the city’s foray into the United Soccer League will be a major success. I can’t wait to see this stadium packed with soccer fans from across Western New York when the inaugural season kicks off!”

State Assemblyman Patrick Burke said, “I couldn’t be more excited and I’m looking forward to the day when both Buffalo Pro Soccer and the Buffalo Bills are winning championships in the 142nd Assembly District. Today’s only possible because of the vision and dedication of Peter Marlette, Jr.”

Buffalo Common Council President Bryan Bollman said, “Buffalo Pro Soccer’s decision to build their new stadium in the heart of the Seneca Babcock neighborhood is a game-changer for both the Lovejoy District and the entire City of Buffalo. As the world’s sport, soccer has a unique ability to unite communities—and now, our passionate fanbase will have a new team to rally behind in a state-of-the-art facility that will inspire the next generation of athletes. Studies show this project could generate over $350 million in economic impact over the next thirty years, bringing long-term benefits to Buffalo. It will create 95 full-time jobs and spark new investment along Elk Street, opening the door for local businesses, restaurants, bars, and housing opportunities. We’re proud to welcome Buffalo Pro Soccer to our community, and I’m excited about what this means for the future of our city.”

Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre said, “Buffalo knows what it means to be the best sports fanbase in the country—and now, we’re bringing that same energy to the world’s game. I’m proud to support the construction of a new, privately funded professional soccer stadium along the Buffalo River in my district. This development will create local jobs, generate tourism, support small businesses, and bring long-term investment into our community. Most importantly, it gives Buffalo’s passionate soccer fans a home of their own. Soccer is a sport that connects people across cultures and generations. With this new stadium, we’re building more than a venue—we’re building community. Thank you to Peter Marlette Jr. and my government colleagues for their leadership and commitment to this project. This is truly a game changer.”

For more information about Buffalo Pro Soccer, please visit buffaloprosoccer.com.

Buffalo Pro Soccer announced today the acquisition of the FC Buffalo Youth Academy. This milestone marks a transformative moment for soccer in Western New York, paving the way for young athletes to access a talent development pipeline that will guide them from local youth fields to the highest levels of global soccer—allowing them to develop their skills at home while preparing to compete on the biggest stages.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Buffalo Pro Soccer to build on the foundation that FC Buffalo has carefully developed,” said Peter Marlette Jr., President of Buffalo Pro Soccer. “FC Buffalo has done an outstanding job creating and growing this program. Buffalo has always been a passionate sports town, and this is part of the larger plan to solidify its place as a true hub for the world’s game. I fully expect players from our region to come up through the academy, play their first professional minutes for our pro team, and then move on to bigger global leagues as we’ve seen in several USL cities across the country.”

The transition enables FC Buffalo to focus entirely on its USL League Two and USL W League teams as well as its work in the under-represented community, furthering its commitment to growing high-level competitive soccer in Buffalo. 

“Peter’s ideas to transform the current model of youth soccer were shared from our first meetings at the outset of the Buffalo Pro Soccer project, and they resonated with us – we’re happy to see more resources allocated to producing top Buffalo players,” said Nick Mendola, co-owner of FC Buffalo. “With this evolution, the families and youth coaches in our current set-up get more backing, and the next generation of Buffalo’s soccer talent will now have more support, greater opportunities, and a clear ‘path to pro.’ That clarity for and commitment to the families and coaches who took a leap of faith with us matters – our goal has always been to do right by them.”

Buffalo Pro Soccer’s investment in the academy will bring enhanced training, top-tier coaching, financial support, and access to college counseling. The expanded youth academy will ensure that Buffalo’s best young soccer players no longer need to look elsewhere to chase their dreams. 

In addition to serving as a pathway to professional soccer careers, the Buffalo Pro Soccer Youth will also help players pursue higher education and extend their soccer careers at top universities. Buffalo Pro Soccer has reached an agreement with two top-tier Buffalo-based education consultants, Liz Attea and Justin Rogers, to help prepare and guide the student-athletes for their futures beyond the game of soccer, ensuring the youth academy’s impact expands beyond the playing fields. 

“With soccer’s popularity soaring across the country, Buffalo is stepping up like never before to embrace the sport at all levels, and we are thrilled to be part of that mission,” said Attea. “This program ensures that players have the guidance and resources they need to navigate the college recruitment process, pursue higher education, and unlock future opportunities—whether in soccer or beyond.”

“Buffalo Pro Soccer is building an ecosystem where Western New York’s kids can develop, thrive, and chase their soccer dreams—whether that’s playing professionally, competing in college, or simply growing in the game they love,” added Rogers. “Whether it’s understanding the recruitment process, exploring scholarship opportunities, or finding the right academic and athletic fit, we’ll be here to support these athletes every step of the way.”

Buffalo Pro Soccer plans to expand the youth academy to several more teams in the years to come, while also building an affiliate network of existing youth clubs across Western New York and Southern Ontario. It will work to identify top talent across all age groups, creating a pipeline directly from local youth soccer organizations to professional contracts and college soccer.  

USL Championship clubs—which Buffalo Pro Soccer will be competing against starting in 2026—have a long history of developing the nation’s top soccer talent. Last year, 32 athletes who played for USL Championship, League One or League Two teams earned appearances with the U.S. Men’s National team. Additionally, since 2020, 38 USL Championship and League One players have secured opportunities to play for top clubs internationally and domestically, including Major League Soccer franchises, La Liga’s Real Sociedad, Portugal’s Benfica, France’s Stade de Reims, the Netherlands’ Feyenoord, and others.

Parents of athletes currently involved in the FC Buffalo Youth Academy have been informed of the transition and will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the evolution of the program soon.