MLS Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has announced the plan to bring in a Major League Soccer expansion to the city in America.
The mayor claimed he traveled to New York on April 21, 2024, to meet with MLS commissioner Don Garber and see whether the league would consider their proposal.
He made the announcement public with the statement saying “As a result of that conversation, I am today informing Indianapolis that, as mayor, I will be leading an effort to file an MLS application and pursue an MLS club.”
“I am well aware that this new venture will present no guarantee, but every great achievement in our city’s history has begun where opportunity was met with action.”
This is everything you need to know about the deal.
Is there an MLS team in Indiana?
There are various Major League Soccer teams in Indiana, which are the Indianapolis Colts, which were created in 1984; the Indianapolis Eleven, which were created in 2014; the 1927 SC, which was established in 1927; Fort Wayne FC, which was created in 2019; and the South Bend Lions, which were created in 2019.
How much are MLS expansion fees?
In 1998, two football teams (Chicago Fire FC and Miami Fusion) joined the MLS. The Miami owner paid $20 million to join the MLS, and the Chicago Fire owner paid $5 million.
The Real Salt Lake paid an expansion fee of $7.5 million. San Diego FC, which will debut in 2025, paid a whopping $500 million.
St. Louis City, SC, debuted in 2023 and paid an expansion fee of $200 million.
However, there is no specification on the amount Indianapolis are expected to pay. Historically, the expansion fee has always been on the increase, with the expectation that Indianapolis will pay around $600-700 million.
Stadium locations for MLS teams in Indianapolis
The Eleven Park stadium is the home of the Indy Eleven, a professional team that plays in the United States League Championship.
The stadium is located at 402 Kentucky Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America.
The owners of the stadium are the Capital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County, Indiana. It is expected to be opened in 2026 with a total construction fee of $1 billion.
How Big Would The MLS Stadium be in Indianapolis Compared to Other States In America
The projected stadium in Indianapolis is expected to have a capacity of 20,000. Allianz Field, which is the Minnesota United FC, has a capacity of 19,400. The stadium was opened in 2019.
The Inter Miami Stadium, named Chase Stadium, has a huge capacity of 21,550. The stadium was opened in 2020.
New York City Stadium was named Yankee Stadium, which is one of the biggest stadiums in the MLS with a capacity of 47,309.
Another big stadium in the MLS is Gillette Stadium, with a capacity of 65,878. It is the house of the New England Revolution.
The Bank of America Stadium is the largest stadium in the MLS, with a capacity of 74,867. It is the home of the MLS football team named Charlotte FC.
Who is the owner of the prospective Indianapolis MLS team?
There has been no identification of the owner of the prospective Indianapolis MLS team. However, the leadership role in the MLS was held by a group of well-experienced investors.
