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When worlds collide! With the delay of Tidewater Landing and it's continuous construction, Rhode Island FC has been searching for their new home for the inaugural season.
In a press release to season ticket depositors, the football club shared the news that Bryant University’s Beirne Stadium will be the temporary home of the Ocean State’s new professional soccer team for the club’s inaugural USL Championship 2024 season. The club will create a unique and authentic fan experience for Rhode Island FC supporters at Beirne Stadium while construction continues on the Stadium at Tidewater Landing.
With one of the larger sporting venues available in the state, it seem inevitable that this duo would combine. Bryant University President, Ross Gittell Ph.D., said “Bryant University is happy to welcome Rhode Island’s new professional soccer team to play their inaugural season at Beirne Stadium on our Smithfield campus, We appreciate the enthusiasm that pro-sports teams bring to our community and look forward to being part of the excitement.”
Rhode Island FC President, Brett Luy, doubled down on the statement.
“We are committed to creating a uniquely Rhode Island fan experience from our opening match. Our club will kick off USL action in 2024 at Bryant University while we complete construction of a world-class stadium at Tidewater Landing. This decision will allow the club to focus on the fan experience in the inaugural season and prioritize the work necessary to field a team that is ready to compete for trophies from the opening match.” - Rhode Island FC President Brett Luy.
For people that aren't familar with the university, this won't be the first time Bryant hosted a pro-team. Bryant University’s athletic facilities were home to the New England Patriots’ training camp for two decades. The Beirne Stadium complex includes all the amenities and facilities that Rhode Island FC and visiting sides will need for training and match day competition.
Despite all of the recent struggles with the stadium construction, Rhode Island FC still remains to be committed to the advancement of pro-soccer in the state. To date, Fortuitous Partners has invested nearly $30 million in private capital in the development and construction is accelerating. No public dollars have been invested in the project yet. The Tidewater Landing development will transform Pawtucket and bring jobs, residents and private capital to the city. The club has hired a head coach and general manager, they have filled a handful of jobs, and will be creating dozens more. And clearly, the buzz is still prevalent. The club has accepted over 4,000 season ticket deposits since November, including more than 1,000 in the first hour they were available.