Soccer Stadiums

Major League Soccer is known as the fastest growing sport in America, with ticket sales and viewership increasing at an impressive rate each year. Nearly two dozen teams across the country now play in venues designed specifically for playing soccer, with even more making bids to join their ranks. While viewership is high and rising fast, the live, raucous stadium experience is the soul of this fan-driven sport.

Boasting state-of-the-art designs and high-tech features, today’s soccer stadiums provide a fan experience on par with many of the country’s top pro sports arenas. The Orlando City Soccer Stadium is widely considered one of the best thanks to a beautiful natural grass field and fan-focused details like a safe standing section. The Avaya Stadium, home to the San Jose Earthquakes, seats nearly 20,000 and features roofed stands known for generating serious sound. Designed by international architecture firm Populous, Houston Dynamo’s BBVA Compass Stadium boasts a sleek design and a lively European-style atmosphere.

The MLS fan experience varies widely, depending on the arena. New England Revolution fans can feel dwarfed at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts—both by its massive size, and its excess of Patriots signage. Venues like Colorado Rapids’ Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Columbus Crew’s Mapfre Stadium and Chicago Fire’s Toyota Field offer a more intimate feel, with room for 20,000 or less. Tailgating is an important part of game day for many fans, and the pre-game ritual gives a distinctly American flair to the soccer experience. Besides offering a chance to bond with like-minded fans, tailgating is the perfect time to brush up on your team’s club chants.

The regular season MLS schedule typically stretches from March to October, with clubs playing each of their conference opponents at least twice—once at home, and once away. The MLS Playoff schedule includes 17 matches between the top teams. There’s also an annual MLS All-Star Game, with the top players in the league teaming up against an international opponent. Also, scope out the Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Team schedule for a chance to see some of the country’s top talent in action.