Pro soccer returning to Jacksonville with Tim Tebow-backed USL franchise

[jcjohnpaint]

I try to live in the world of reality. We've been around for a while with renderings in this town. I have 20 years of renderings saved at this point. We may run them as an article at some point.

On this mall property, a gas station and fast food restaurant will be under construction soon on the JCPenney side of the property. Neither are exciting, but that's what the actual owner is doing with their portion of the property. I look forward to seeing the Sears property being redevelop one day. When and if that time comes, it won't be what that rendering shows. I'm not being negative, I'm just stating what's real.

I would love to see a story on all renderings. There must be over 100 at this point. I know some were on Metrojacksonville when that was around. Great ones from 2010 when we moved here.

[Jax_Developer]

I'd rather get excited about this project, even if it is "iffy", that a drawing of a parking lot for the location of a Circle K gas station. That rendering if you call it a rendering was put out the December 2024, what are we seeing since then? How can you be negative about the possibility of something as significant as this proposal happening? Again it's iffy, that's better than having no dream at all.

Is this Tim Tebow?

[blizz01]

Freddie T!

[dorsey69]

Let's see what happens. You may be entirely right, but poo-pooing the rendering without giving it a chance seems prematurely judgmental tome. I'd rather keep my mind open about the matter. Cleary, a developer would want to develop the property around the stadium to make a profit and there seems to be a lot of property at Regency Square that may be available to develop. Again, I hope the day never comes that I resign myself to compare in a project like this with a drawing about a Circle K gas station and parking lot. I hope that doesn't offend any Circle K fans.

[Zac T]

I think all of this is premature and we should wait until Sporting JAX makes an official announcement on a location before making any assumptions about anything. If they choose somewhere other than Regency then this is all a moot point anyways

[thelakelander]

I don't have anything negative to say about the soccer project. I can't speak on it until there is a project with a selected site. I do wish we in Jax would stop putting out conceptual renderings so early in the process though. They mostly lead to let down for a general public that's not familiar with the development process.

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

I went to the Frontrunner/Community first ice rink to watch the jags away game this past Sunday. Great atmosphere, lots of ppl, decent food and drink selection. There's a lot for sale, probably not big enough for a 15k soccer stadium and entertainment district, but a better location than regency. It's right off of 95 and in a more centralized location + it's right off the highway.

They've held most of their press conferences there. IMO that would be a better location to redevelop into a true mixed use sports and entertainment district. Just sucks about the size and capacity of the property.

[jaxlongtimer]

I have to think that anything like this would prefer being in proximity to an I-95 or 9B interchange.  Adding another candidate, being near the new proposed surf park that has a similar idea of mixed use development around a sports themed activity.  Surfing and soccer might draw a similar demographic, at least among young people, and their master plans might have some mutual benefits to each other.

[urban_]

They could put it near US 1 so it could be connected with commuter rail in 2100, lol

[edjax]

There is a new story on the Daily Record that Sporting Jax rep has made a statement that Regency is NOT under consideration.

[copperfiend]

They've narrowed it down to 54 potential sites.

How many more years until they announce their decision?

[thelakelander]

There is a new story on the Daily Record that Sporting Jax rep has made a statement that Regency is NOT under consideration.

So now we can add that fake Regency rendering to our renderingville collection. Hoping no one's hopes got up to high looking at that thing.

[dorsey69]

Touché

[Charles Hunter]

I know we have asked this question before - "Can two pro soccer-development operations both survive in Jacksonville?" But, two articles in this morning's Jacksonville Business Journal's daily email bring it to mind. Again. Both were written by "James Cannon, Editor in Chief" of the Jacksonville Business Journal.

Local attorney Chris Campione becomes majority owner of Jacksonville Armada

Story Highlights

    Chris Campione becomes majority owner of Jacksonville Armada FC soccer club.
    Armada plans 8,000-seat stadium in downtown Jacksonville's Sports District.
    Club aims to join MLS NEXT Pro in 2027.

Campione will oversee the club's next phase of expansion, including an initial 8,000-seat privately funded soccer-specific stadium in the heart of downtown Jacksonville's Sports and Entertainment District, according to the statement released Thursday afternoon.

The stadium, described as a multi-purpose community venue, will host concerts, festivals, tournaments, and national competitions in addition to Armada matches. Campione said the facility will feature modern amenities and flexible spaces to attract year-round events, serving as a "centerpiece for Jacksonville's growing downtown."

Under Campione's direction, the Armada are moving forward with plans to join MLS NEXT Pro in 2027, part of Major League Soccer's player development system. Campione also expressed interest in eventually bringing a National Women's Soccer League franchise to Jacksonville, ensuring equal opportunities for professional athletes on both sides of the game.

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2025/10/30/chris-campione-buys-jacksonville-armada-fc.html?ana=e_JA_me&j=42276576&senddate=2025-10-31&empos=p2

and

Sporting Club Jacksonville to launch men's pro soccer team in USL Championship starting 2026

Story Highlights

    Sporting Club Jacksonville will launch men's USL Championship team in March 2026.
    Team will play at University of North Florida's 9,400-seat Hodges Stadium.
    Club plans 15,000-seat stadium for both men's and women's teams by 2026.

Marking the next phase in its ambitious growth plan, Sporting Club Jacksonville will bring men's professional soccer back to the city for the first time since 2017.

The club announced Thursday that it will launch a men's team in the USL Championship — the nation's second division of professional soccer — beginning in March 2026. The move represents a major step toward Sporting JAX's long-term vision of creating a complete player pathway from youth development to the professional ranks.

The USL Championship, sanctioned as the second division of U.S. professional soccer, ... Matches are broadcast nationally and internationally on CBS, CBS Sports Network and ESPN2, and streamed on CBS Golazo and ESPN+.

The 2026 season will feature 18 home matches at Hodges Stadium, followed by the USL Championship Playoffs in November.

Its upcoming expansion includes a proposed 15,000-seat community stadium and training complex, to be unveiled in 2026, which would serve as a permanent home for both professional teams.

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2025/10/30/sporting-club-jacksonville.html?ana=e_JA_me&j=42276576&senddate=2025-10-31&empos=p11

It seems a good journalist would try to integrate these story threads. Clear things up for us unversed in the intricacies of pro soccer leagues and player development.

[copperfiend]

I'm glad Sporting Jax is finally going to actually start fielding a men's team. But watching at UNF is not good.

They announced a men's USL team in 2022 and are now pushing back a stadium announcement to next year. This should not take this long.