SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The long-awaited Sacramento Republic FC stadium is closer to becoming reality.
The Sacramento City Council unanimously approved a preliminary term sheet to build a soccer stadium at the Railyards at its Tuesday meeting. The term sheet includes the financial and infrastructure framework for the proposed soccer venue.
“On behalf of the entire club and its fans, we’re incredibly grateful for the support of the entire City Council and Mayor Darrell Steinberg as well as the diligent work of the City Manager Howard Chan and his staff. Tonight’s vote is yet another important milestone in solidifying our new home,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “We’re excited to press forward and begin building a new neighborhood for the Indomitable City.”
New Republic FC majority owners Wilton Rancheria and Sacramento city leaders announced the proposed $226 million stadium on Nov. 7.
The proposed stadium, which would be privately funded, would anchor a 31-acre development that expects to expand Downtown Sacramento to the north.
The development will transform the Railyards into an entertainment district with a 3,600-seat music venue, housing, retail and commercial spaces. The proposed music venue is expected cost $95 million in private funding.
The stadium is scheduled for a 2026 completion date while construction of the music venue is estimated to finish the following year.
Fans have waited a long time for Republic FC to get built in Sacramento since the club arrived in Sacramento in 2014.
A Railyards stadium has been a process prior to the recent the city's vote. Here’s a look at what led up to recent stadium plans after previous proposals and the club’s MLS bid fell through.
49ers, Kings partner with club for MLS bid
Following the Republic FC’s inaugural championship season, the Sacramento Kings announced in 2015 they would invest in the club’s bid to become an MLS franchise.
A day-later, then-Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson announced in his State of the City address that the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers will join the club’s efforts to secure an MLS bid.
“We’re here to come to win and I think we have a great opportunity to do it,” 49ers owner Jed York said in 2015. “We’re going to pull it together. I’m really excited. I think the time is now for an MLS franchise for Sacramento.”
The 49ers’ investment never materialized as the club’s jump to MLS never came.
Republic FC submits MLS expansion bid
MLS was interested in expanding to more cities as it had 19 teams in 2014. The league is currently comprised of 29 and is expected to add a 30th team in 2025.
Sacramento submitted an MLS bid in 2017 as the league was reviewing bids from 12 cities. At the time, Sacramento was widely viewed as a front-runner to land a MLS franchise.
If elevated, the Republic FC hoped to break ground on a stadium by June 2018.
Republic FC gets lead investor for MLS bid
The Republic FC’s push for an MLS bid started to heat up when Ron Burkle came on board as the club’s billionaire lead investor in January 2019.
Burkle led the investment group after the club was beaten out by Cincinnati and Nashville to become MLS expansions teams.
It was Burkle’s second attempt at sports ownership in Sacramento; he tried to buy the Kings before they were sold to Vivek Ranadive.
In April of that year, the Sacramento City Council voted to approve a $252 million privately financed stadium in the Railyards. The proposed MLS stadium was originally set have a capacity of 22,000.
MLS awards Republic FC expansion bid, but is short lived
In October 2019, the Republic FC to the MLS was set to become a reality after Sacramento was announced as the league's 29th franchise.
At the time, the club was expected to play their inaugural MLS game in 2022.
Their MLS debut was pushed back to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the delay in the construction of a railyard's stadium.
Republic FC’s MLS dreams became grim after Burkle withdrew his support due to reasons related to the pandemic.
Since then, St. Louis was awarded MLS’ 29th franchise and San Diego is slated to join the league as its 30th team in 2025.
Club owner announces unveils new stadium plans
Republic FC owner Kevin Nagle announced new plans for a Railyards stadium in April 2022.
The announcement included new renderings of the venue and details such as capacity being 12,000 to 15,000 with the potential to expand for the MLS.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg the city would continue to work to identify a potential investor for the MLS while simultaneously building a Railyards stadium.
Talks emerge with new investor
Republic FC’s Cinderella run to the 2022 Open Cup Final inspired hopes of reviving their MLS bid through a new investor group.
In July 2023, talks begin between Republic FC and a Canadian investment group led by Belinda Stronach.
The Stronach Group is an entertainment and real estate company, which owns horse racing venues including Santa Anita Park and the now-closed Golden Gate Fields in the Bay Area.
“This is the type of investment that is of interest to us as we look to add to our existing sports and entertainment portfolio,” Kevin Gilmore, EVP and Chief Operating Officer of the Stronach Group said at that time. “However, the dynamics of exploring such an opportunity that we refrain from discussing this broadly in the media.”
There had been no news involving The Stronach’s Group potential investment in the club.
Wilton Rancheria becomes majority owner
Over a year later, Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento County’s only federally-recognized tribe, joined Republic FC’s operations as a majority owner.
It’s a historic move for Wilton Rancheria, who became the first Native American tribe to hold majority ownership in men’s professional sports.
Wilton Rancheria’s investment in the group gives new hope for the city to build a Railyards stadium along with development in the area.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10 | Sacramento Republic FC unveil new owners and stadium plan
