The United Soccer League (USL) and City of Pensacola have announced the intent to bring men’s and women’s professional soccer to Downtown Pensacola.
The city will enter exclusive negotiations over the next year to evaluate the viability of supporting professional soccer teams and opportunities to enhance the community’s entertainment options. This initial phase will address a number of factors, including funding and the location of a stadium, which has yet to be determined.
“We are thrilled to explore the opportunity of bringing both USL men’s and women’s teams to Pensacola,” said Justin Papadakis, USL Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Real Estate Officer. “Pensacola is a passionate sports community with the potential to become a thriving soccer market, aligning with USL’s vision of growing the sport at all levels. We look forward to working with Mayor Reeves and the City of Pensacola to evaluate how professional soccer and strategic infrastructure investment can drive long-term economic growth. This partnership could create lasting impact by expanding entertainment options, enhancing public spaces, and fueling local business opportunities.”
“USL is a brand that has provided a great product on the field with a history of success,” said Mayor D.C. Reeves. “Our city has proven it supports professional sports, and we expect our community would welcome this league with our exceptional Gulf Coast hospitality.”
About United Soccer League
Founded in 1986, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in the United States, impacting more than 200 communities nationwide. The USL is the first and only organization to offer a comprehensive youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem. This structure includes four men’s leagues: the newly announced, top-tier professional Division I league, the USL Championship (Division II), USL League One (Division III), and USL League Two (pre-professional). The women’s pathway includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024, and USL W League, the country’s leading pre-professional women’s league. The USL also oversees USL Academy, a progressive talent development platform, and USL Youth, a premier national youth platform.
With multi-year national and international media rights agreements across various platforms including CBS Sports, ESPN and Peacock, the USL is the most widely accessible soccer league in the country.
USL FAQs
What does this mean for the City of Pensacola? The USL FAQs.
