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

[Ken_FSU]

Will be interesting to see where these guys ultimately end up. Have heard everything from Regency to ETown over the last couple of years. Shame that there hasn't seemed to be a path (or a desire) for downtown up to this point. Something like the Fairgrounds (if it were available, of course) with a shared sports & entertainment complex would be pretty rad. Armada do not seem like they will ever scale up operations.

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2026/02/24/sporting-jax-hires-michael-mcnaughton.html

Sporting JAX hires real estate veteran to lead stadium district development plans

Sporting Club Jacksonville is bringing on a veteran of some of the nation's most complex and high-profile real estate projects as it advances plans for a purpose-built stadium district in Northeast Florida.

Sporting JAX announced that Michael McNaughton, a nationally recognized real estate executive with more than 30 years of experience in large-scale development and mixed-use placemaking, has been named president of the Sporting JAX Development Company. In the newly created role, McNaughton will oversee all real estate, master planning and development initiatives tied to the club's long-term vision — including a proposed 15,000-capacity community stadium and training facilities.

"Innovation starts with top-tier talent," Sporting JAX Chairman Ricky Caplin said in a statement. "Michael McNaughton has led some of the most ambitious and iconic development projects in the country, playing a key role in shaping destinations like the Palazzo, Mizner Park and the new World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Michael bringing that level of vision and experience to North Florida is a game-changer."

According to the club, McNaughton will guide the creation of a purpose-built, community-centered sporting district designed to anchor professional soccer here for generations. The broader vision calls for a stadium integrated with entertainment, dining, family-friendly amenities, public spaces and year-round programming, with sport positioned as a catalyst for innovation, access and long-term social and economic benefit for Northeast Florida.

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

My gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.

[Ned Plimpton]

My gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.

If they keep to the plans I heard a few months ago, the site makes a lot of sense for them as an organization, but it's unfortunately not downtown.  What they're trying to do won't fit into downtown even if they were to get control of the Fairgrounds.  It's very exciting and I think it will be great for them and the surrounding area.

[thelakelander]

My gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.

Does their vision fit in with the strip mall vision of what's planned by Regency's current ownership?

[Ken_FSU]

My gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.

Does their vision fit in with the strip mall vision of what's planned by Regency's current ownership?

This was my point of confusion as well. I assumed Regency was dead, given the plan that was released to turn the site into a series of suburban strip malls?

[copperfiend]

My gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.

Does their vision fit in with the strip mall vision of what's planned by Regency's current ownership?

And that's just one of four owners.

Imagine a new soccer stadium on one side, a suburban strip mall on the other. And in between...a church in an old Belk and a Dillard's clearance store.

[Charles Hunter]

Maybe the team owners have deep pockets, or could partner with some deep pockets, and buy out the new owner of Regency Square. Then, they could develop it with a comprehensive master plan, and not a bunch of strip malls and out parcels.

[copperfiend]

Will be interesting to see where these guys ultimately end up. Have heard everything from Regency to ETown over the last couple of years. Shame that there hasn't seemed to be a path (or a desire) for downtown up to this point. Something like the Fairgrounds (if it were available, of course) with a shared sports & entertainment complex would be pretty rad. Armada do not seem like they will ever scale up operations.

A location like eTown that straddles the St John's/Duval line would make a ton of sense logistically, and financially. I think about the MLS stadium in Dallas being out in Frisco.

[jaxoNOLE]

My gut says this goes to Regency. Given Rouse Co. the parent company of Rouse Properties via spinoff and developer of the Landing, this has retail shopping written all over it. Best guess is, unless something terribly concerning comes up with that site, they will revitalize Regency and build an entertainment district around the stadium.

Does their vision fit in with the strip mall vision of what's planned by Regency's current ownership?

And that's just one of four owners.

Imagine a new soccer stadium on one side, a suburban strip mall on the other. And in between...a church in an old Belk and a Dillard's clearance store.

Impact was reportedly supportive of the stadium, fwiw. Though as I mentioned on the Regency Square thread, it's hard to imagine the pending litigation between them and Blackwater improving the prospects for the site.

[jaxlongtimer]

What are the soccer demographics in Jax?  It would seem to me that it is in the southern half of Duval and northern halves of St. Johns and Clay.  If so, I would expect they would seriously consider sites at the intersection of these regions.  Like in proximity to I-295 and I-95?  Likely, could also find larger land parcels, if needed, for future growth/expansion, especially if they want to emulate the Jags and build an entertainment hub adjacent. 

Would seem Arlington is off-center but maybe my perception is off-base or outdated.

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

Town Center area. They're on Live

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1272439971463425&id=1272439971463425&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc3MjQ3NTE1OTAwMCwiciI6IiJ9

[marcuscnelson]

Press release here.

https://www.sportingjax.com/news/2026/03/02/sporting-club-jacksonville-announces-site-for-mixed-use-sporting-district/

"Town Center area" makes me think more like Seven Pines, unless that area across from Brightman Blvd is developable.

Edit: confirmed, it is that Brightman Blvd site.

[marcuscnelson]

Now would be a great time to start thinking about what longer-term mobility is meant to look like in this area, as Town Center Parkway is already packed to the gills despite six to seven lanes and Gate Parkway isn't faring much better. Even with added lanes on Interstate 295 and J Turner Butler Blvd, the resulting induced demand from this project, UNF's growth, Seven Pines, the Intercontinental Exchange campus, and the final few phases of Town Center itself is a lot of people trying to get around this somewhat constrained area.

[copperfiend]

I'm glad after four years there's some actual movement on a stadium. But the traffic in the area is already bad. This past Saturday, it was backed up to UNF. I can't imagine what it will be like with a soccer game bringing thousands more onto Town Center Blvd and St John's Bluff.

[jcjohnpaint]

Funny but I was going to post a picture of that site a few days ago, but never got to it. Nice location. I am a professor at UNF and drive this every day. I do hope they plan for it. Traffic on the beltway segment really can get bad.