Are you ready for some futbol, Tampa? Women’s professional soccer is coming to the city in 2024. The Super League Tampa Bay squad revealed renderings for a new waterfront stadium (a temporary location) in partnership with Howard W Blake High School (1701 N Blvd). The stadium will have a capacity of 5,000 and feature FIFA-approved turf. The team will play on this field for around 3-5 years ahead of creating a permanent stadium in the region.
“We want to thank the Hillsborough County School Board for supporting this historic partnership that will become an important legacy for the school community and for our new club,” wrote team representatives in a joint statement following the plan’s approval.
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As part of the agreement, the team will pay for enhancements that will transform the school’s stadium. The team would provide additional upgrades that will be identified as plans are completed. The team will also work with school leaders to identify beautification projects on the adjacent Blake campus.
A waterfront soccer stadium in downtown Tampa
“Our schools have been the site of so much history, and the birthplace of so many important traditions. It will be wonderful to add to that legacy with this new soccer team. There’s something special about sports that brings out the best in people and brings people together,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, a former Hillsborough County Public Schools student athlete.
Blake shares a history with Middleton High School as the only two high schools open to Black students during the segregation era. Today, Blake and its extensive network of Yellow Jacket alumni carry on the school’s legacy as a light of learning for people of all backgrounds, while adding one of the top Performing Arts magnet programs in Florida.
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Creating strong partnerships in the Tampa community
“How do we make our amazing community even stronger? Partnerships like this. When businesses and community groups invest in our schools, we unlock new doors for everyone,” said Shaun Drinkard, Interim President of the Tampa Downtown Partnership.
Located a quick walk or water taxi ride from Downtown activity hubs such as the Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa Heights, Armature Works, and the University of Tampa, the temporary stadium will host the club’s first several seasons while a permanent soccer-specific stadium is being planned.
The team is now accepting deposits for season tickets. The deposit for the club’s August 2024 debut is $24 per ticket. Click here to sign up now. Follow Super League Tampa Bay on its website and Instagram for updates.
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