In August, the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) switched its Phase 2 study of a location for a D.C. United Major League Soccer (MLS) Next Pro “multi-use soccer stadium” from Carroll Park Golf Course and Swann Park to Carroll Park Golf Course and a new location in the Baltimore Peninsula development.
According to Baltimore Business Journal:
The change came after the stadium authority realized Swann would not be a viable option due to a large easement between the City of Baltimore and Baltimore Gas & Electric at the site, which made the available land too small for a stadium.
The Baltimore Peninsula development team also likes the idea of a soccer stadium in the heart of its 235-acre, multi-billion dollar, multi-decade development.
MSA anticipates the study will take approximately 12 months.
MLS Next Pro is the third tier of professional soccer in the United States. D.C. United, which would operate the stadium, is also interested in hosting additional professional soccer games, lacrosse games, rugby games, entertainment, and community events at the stadium.
In addition to being used by D.C. United’s MLS Next Pro club, D.C. United is also looking for a stadium to bring its newly-formed USL Super League women’s team to Baltimore. The USL Super League looks to compete with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as the top level of women’s professional soccer in the United States.
The Phase 1 study selected Carroll Park Golf Course, Reedbird Park in Cherry Hill, and Swann Park as the top three sites for a stadium.
In March, MSA Public Information Office Rachelina Bonacci explained the site selection for Phase 2 to SouthBMore.com:
Carroll Park was selected because it was the top-ranked option. The next option, Reedbird Park, showed quite similar ratings across most metrics while the third option, Swann Park, presented a contrast with very different strengths and weaknesses. After discussion with stakeholders and DC United, there was agreement that Carroll Park and Swann Park would present two different, distinct choices and that it made sense to study those two options further.
Site plans for a soccer stadium at Baltimore Peninsula show a stadium moving north to south and situated just above the newly-built Mission Blvd. and adjacent to the west of the five new buildings constructed in Chapter 1B of the development and just east of Club Volo. The proposed stadium site would take up a lot of the space formerly occupied by the former The Baltimore Sun building, which was demolished in 2023.
The plan also shows space for a practice field above the stadium and below McComas St., as well as additional parking lots.
In recent months, Baltimore Peninsula has announced a dozen new restaurants for its buildings as well as new office and retail tenants. A number of apartments throughout the development have also been leased. No new buildings in the development have been proposed at this time but, even with adding a soccer stadium, there are many development pad sites remaining at the development.
Also under construction in Baltimore Peninsula, and not part of the Baltimore Peninsula development, is Under Armour’s new 50-acre headquarters and the 25-acre Locke Landing residential development.
SouthBMore.com asked the Baltimore Peninsula development team about its interest in a soccer stadium. Below are the answers from a spokesperson for the Baltimore Peninsula development team.
Talk about the decision to study a stadium in the heart of the development and not at Swann Park.
The Baltimore Peninsula team welcomes MSA’s decision to study a centrally located, urban stadium. A sports and entertainment venue would be an amazing addition to our neighborhood, building on the significant momentum we continue to see with residential, commercial and retail leasing.
What are the benefits of having a soccer stadium at Baltimore Peninsula?
Set on a prime waterfront location with maximum visibility from I-95, Baltimore Peninsula has immense potential to be the next sports and entertainment hotspot in our city. We’ve always viewed Baltimore Peninsula as part of a flourishing sports district – stretching from Oriole Park at Camden Yards to the athletic facility at Under Armour’s global HQ. With U.S. soccer truly having its moment, we’re excited by the prospect of Baltimore Peninsula becoming home to a locally-loved team – not to mention the substantial entertainment and employment opportunities that the stadium would bring to our neighborhood and the city as a whole.
Entertainment is at the core of Baltimore Peninsula – from music festivals like Reggae Rise Up and Jazzy Summer Nights to various holiday programming, classes like Sunset Salsa and Wellness on the Waterfront, our Outdoor Movie Nights series and so much more throughout the year.
Beyond this, MaryAnne Gilmartin, Founder and CEO of MAG Partners (the lead developer on Baltimore Peninsula) has a history with sports and entertainment venues; having led the effort to build Barclays Center, the state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue – home to the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty – and the centerpiece of the 22-acre mixed-use Pacific Park Brooklyn development.
How would this stadium alter the Baltimore Peninsula master plan?
Baltimore Peninsula has a flexible master plan, meaning we’re able to shift site uses and density around to accommodate different opportunities. We’ve studied the potential of having a sports and entertainment venue and feel it would be a fantastic fit for the neighborhood, as well as a significant asset to the Greater Baltimore region.
Are you open to an expandable stadium in case the team elevates to high levels of soccer?
Absolutely!
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