David Beckham's planned stadium for new Miami MLS side revealed
The proposed design for David Beckham’s planned stadium for new MLS franchise in Miami
David Beckham’s planned stadium for newly planned MLS side in Miami has been revealed.
The stadium will hold a 25,000 crowd which is set to be situated at the Port of Miami. The stadium venue will include a restaurant and a nightclub in an open concourse, as well as a world-class sporting arena!
The yet to be named stadium would host 17 MLS games during the regular season, between March and November. Also additional post-season games, soccer friendlies, and other entertainment shows will also be hosted. Most games would be on Saturday nights.
The port is one of four potential areas for the new stadium, which Beckham and his partners say would create a new destination for Miami residents.
A central plaza on the site will include cafes, restaurants and shops.
Beckham and his partners will pay for the stadium without County or local taxpayer dollars, while the team will also help to grow football’s prominence in Miami by creating a new youth academy.
The vision also includes plans to reconstruct the port’s old bridge into the city’s ‘high line,’ on which fans of the new team would walk to the match.
The other potential sites in the city are the FIU, the Miami International Center and Marlins Park – home of baseball outfit Miami Marlins.
The 25,000 capacity would make the new ground the third-biggest crowd in the MLS, equalling the size of Thierry Henry’s New York Red Bulls’ Red Bull Arena.
Teams like New England Revolution and Vancouver Whitecaps have bigger stadiums, but capacity for ‘soccer’ crowds is topped at below 25,000, with the teams sharing with American Football sides.
It also means the team will pull in a bigger crowd than the city’s basketball team Miami Heat, home to superstar LeBron James.
Although there are some complications regarding the land acquisition, as cruise line companies, who dock in one of the world’s busiest portsare opposing.
Royal Caribbean Cruises have ‘deep reservations’ and have shown a strong objection because they have their own plans to develop the 12 acres that Beckham and his investors have pinpointed.
Daily Mail quoted Beckham: ‘Why not? All joking aside, I wanted to create a team that we can start from scratch with.
“This is an exciting time for myself, family and friends. We’re really looking forward to bringing this to Miami. There was a team here 10 years ago but going forward I wanted to create a team that’s very personal. I want to make it my own team.
‘Miami is a vibrant city with a lot of passion. I know it’s ready for football and this will be successful. I’m committed to this league and I’m committed to this sport.
‘There are a lot of people who want to know what we’re doing and how we’re doing it. I’m not in this to make money.”
Reportedly David Beckham is keen to avail the services of Barcelona midfielder, Xavi Hernandez in the team.