A Season of Growing Pains
The Oakland Roots’ fan base has surged over the past season, selling out venues before the team even stepped onto the Oakland Coliseum’s grass. The excitement culminated in a home opener that attracted roughly 27,000 supporters, who were treated to a tribute to the city’s beloved Athletics and a halftime show featuring local rap icons Too $hort and E‑40.
Despite that early enthusiasm, the club’s president, Lindsay Barenz, has repeatedly pointed to the Coliseum’s size, its curved stands that leave fans feeling detached from the action, and the steep financial burden of renting a space that was never designed for soccer. The team has had to relocate in and out of the stadium 17 times each season, incurring high costs and logistical headaches.
Compounding the difficulty, the Roots have been displaced for several weeks this year to accommodate the Major League Cricket playoffs, further underscoring how the venue’s scheduling constraints clash with the club’s need for consistent, soccer‑specific programming.
Looking Ahead
Now the club is scouting temporary homes, including a pop‑up stadium in the Coliseum’s parking lot and a possible stint at its Alameda training facility, while negotiations continue for a permanent soccer‑specific venue in Oakland. Discussions involve the Oakland Port and the African American Sports & Entertainment Group, both of which have expressed interest in partnering on a dedicated facility.
Barenz has emphasized that the Roots remain committed to Oakland and are not looking to relocate to Alameda or any other East Bay suburb. The search is focused on finding a space that can deliver the atmosphere and infrastructure soccer fans deserve, without the compromises that have defined the Coliseum experience.