The city of Sacramento, Calif., has been awarded an MLS expansion franchise, and Sacramento Republic FC will officially become the league’s 29th team in the 2022 season.
According to a release, the team will build a $300 million, 20,100-seat stadium as part of the expansion.
MLS commissioner Don Garber made the move official at a downtown Sacramento event on Monday.
“For many years, soccer fans in Sacramento have passionately supported Republic FC and shown that the club deserves to be competing at the highest level,” Garber said in a statement. “Thanks to the determined efforts and commitment of new owners Ron Burkle and Matt Alvarez along with the leadership of Mayor Darren Steinberg, Sacramento will join MLS with a world-class soccer stadium that will transform the sport in California’s capital.”
Burkle, who is a co-owner of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, told the Sacramento Bee that he sees opportunity in the sport and the city.
“The time is right for soccer,” Burkle told the Bee. “It is going to grow and grow, and Sacramento is the second largest city in the country that only has one (major league sports) team. I like communities where there is hard work and loyal people. Sacramento seems to be a place that doesn’t get as much credit as it should.”
MLS has plans to expand to 30 teams, meaning just one more additional city will be tapped for expansion.
