Forbes’ Tim Newcomb spoke with Rashed Singaby, director of Sports + Recreation + Entertainment at HOK, about how the United Soccer League’s (USL) introduction of promotion and relegation could fundamentally change the way its soccer stadiums are designed.
The USL has become the first U.S. pro sports league to adopt a promotion-and-relegation model, with club owners voting to implement a three-tiered system common in international soccer but never before seen in American professional sports. The new top division, USL Premier, is targeted to launch in 2028. On-field results will determine which teams move across divisions, creating new challenges for clubs that must plan for fluctuating capacities, increased dependence on modularity and greater economic resilience to help them weather the uncertainties the model brings.
“I think that the philosophy of relegation and promotion is very novel to the U.S. Introducing it here is refreshing, but it creates an uncomfortable zone,” said Singaby.
Rather than designing venues around predictable attendance, broadcast dollars and sponsorship models, clubs will need facilities that can expand or contract based on league status and fan demand. As Newcomb writes, a single move could “swing attendance by an average need of 5,000 seats per division”—meaning a team jumping two tiers could need to accommodate up to 10,000 additional fans.
Singaby points to design solutions including prefabricated components that can be craned into a site and removed as conditions change, “plug and play” infrastructure that is built from day one but activated as needed, flexible seating bowls and an increased focus on accommodating diverse event types—all strategies to help clubs remain financially resilient through competitive fluctuations.
“For the USL, embracing the opportunity for hosting events like concerts is going to be key so when the not-so-sunny days in the league come they can activate and generate revenue in the stadium,” Singaby says. “They have to start to be nimble.”
These design principles are already informing HOK’s active USL work, including the 15,000-seat AlumniFi Field for Detroit City FC and a new stadium for Union Omaha, where HOK is serving as design architect.
Read the full article in Forbes.