Professional soccer team confirmed to play in 2024 in neighboring Rhode Island

PAWTUCKET, RI – In an email to season ticket deposit members sent earlier today, Rhode Island FC announced 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.

“Professional soccer is coming to Rhode Island in 2024,” said Rhode Island FC President Brett Luy. “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.”

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.

“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,” said Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Ph.D. “We appreciate the enthusiasm that pro-sports teams bring to our community and look forward to being part of the excitement.”

In the weeks ahead, information will be made available about how Rhode Island FC season ticket deposit members can convert deposits to season tickets, when the club announces the seating plan for the 2024 season. Rhode Island FC continues to accept season ticket deposits.

Excitement for the 2024 season is growing: An organic network of fans launched a supporter group – Defiance 1636 – that has held a number of events in recent weeks promoting the upcoming season. Last month, Rhode Island FC unveiled Capelli Sport as its official and exclusive on-field apparel and equipment provider. The club has accepted over 4,000 season ticket deposits since November, including more than 1,000 in the first hour they were available. The club hired Khano Smith as its inaugural head coach and general manager and has already filled approximately a half dozen other front office staff positions. Rhode Island FC will create more than 30 jobs prior to the start of the inaugural season.

Construction at Tidewater Landing continues. 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. Upon completion, the development will include a world-class stadium that will host professional soccer, concerts, festivals and other major events, hundreds of new apartments that are affordable for all income ranges, and tens of thousands of square feet of office and retail space.