NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Officials announced that the new MLS stadium in Nashville won't be ready until 2022.
With the delay, the Nashville Soccer Club won't start playing in their new stadium until then.
"Given the size, scope and challenges in building what will be the largest soccer specific stadium in the U.S., we have adjusted our construction timeline such that we will begin play in our new stadium at the start of the 2022 MLS season."
The announcement was made Thursday in a letter to fans by Ian Ayre. The team still plans to join MLS for the 2020 season and will play at Nissan Stadium until the new stadium is finished.
Representatives from Nashville SC said the change of schedule was due to changes in design of the stadium itself. Initially, there was only a concept for the stadium, but after working with architects and developers, they decided they needed to change the timeline to fit the needs of building the MLS stadium, which will be the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States.
While the change of schedule may have some disappointed, many believe it may actually be a positive for many groups, including Nashville SC fans who will end up getting a stadium that isn't rushed, as well as the State Fair, which will likely have more options at The Fairgrounds Nashville, if they choose to stay at the location.
“The schedule readjustment could actually be a really good thing for the State Fair because it then would allow them to use both the current facilities and the new facilities that are being built right now. They’re going to be ready by summer, so they’ll be perfect for the State Fair in the fall," council member Colby Sledge said of the changes.
Fairgrounds public information officer, Holly McCall, agreed with Sledge. “Obviously if the soccer stadium had been in construction, we’d done demolition of these buildings, I can understand why that would be a concern for the State Fair Association, so I hope this will alleviate their concerns about this year at least, and we’re looking forward to another positive State Fair experience.”
Representatives from the State Fair have not made any comment about the State Fair at the Fairgrounds following the announcement of the adjusted construction schedule at the Fairgrounds.
