Funding the Future of Soccer in Des Moines
The Des Moines City Council is poised to vote on a $16.4 million federal grant that would fund the lease payments for Iowa’s first professional soccer stadium.
The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation, the nonprofit behind the project, would receive the money to back a $95 million stadium planned for downtown Des Moines, a venue designed to accommodate 550 spectators.
Construction is slated to wrap up by July 1, 2028, after which the facility and an adjacent public plaza will serve both sports events and community gatherings.
Under the proposal, the grant would reimburse the city for lease payments over a 25‑year period, effectively turning public space into a long‑term asset.
City officials say the stadium could boost local tourism and provide a dedicated home for the growing soccer scene, while also creating jobs during the build‑out phase.