A New Era for Soccer in North Texas
The ribbon‑cutting ceremony last week marked the official opening of Texas Health Mansfield Stadium, a modern soccer venue in Mansfield’s entertainment district that will serve as home to the North Texas Soccer Club and host a series of high‑profile matches. City leaders, including Mayor Michael Evans, gathered to celebrate what they described as a pivotal moment for soccer’s growth in the region.
Dan Hunt, owner and president of FC Dallas, was among the prominent figures on hand, alongside Chris Ackels, a key local stakeholder. Hunt, who also controls the Kansas City Chiefs and holds a minority stake in the Chicago Bulls, emphasized the stadium’s role as a catalyst for expanding soccer’s footprint across North Texas.
State‑of‑the‑art Amenities
The facility boasts more than 6,000 seats, with premium suite options on the west side and a distinctive feature called the Mansfield Mile, billed as the longest bar in an outdoor stadium in North America. A dedicated team store, Soccer 90, will remain open beyond match days, while the east side provides space for food trucks on game days. The playing surface consists of Bermuda grass that was trucked in from South Texas in February, and ongoing construction will add a new parking lot on the north side.
A Packed Match Calendar
The stadium’s inaugural competitive match is scheduled for Saturday, when North Texas SC faces St. Louis City 2 at 7:45 p.m., followed by fireworks. The venue will soon host a preseason clash between FC Dallas and Orlando City on July 15, a U.S. women’s soccer quarterfinal against El Salvador on November 27, and a women’s rugby international against Italy on October 17. Though concerts are not yet booked, organizers say the space is primed for future large‑scale events.
Beyond the schedule, officials see the stadium as a springboard for broader soccer development in North Texas, a region that has already secured more World Cup matches than any other U.S. city. With hotels and additional entertainment options slated for the surrounding district, the venue is expected to accelerate the sport’s rise and generate new economic activity for Mansfield and the surrounding area.