Tampa Bay Sun FC and USL unveil plans for waterfront stadium at Ybor Harbor
- Jake Nicholas
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Fresh off their USL Super League championship victory, Tampa Bay Sun FC has revealed a bold new chapter for women’s sports in Florida: a purpose-built waterfront stadium at the heart of the 33-acre Ybor Harbor development. Envisioned in collaboration with Tampa entrepreneur and Ybor Harbor master developer Darryl Shaw and the United Soccer League (USL), the proposed 15,000-seat stadium would be one of the first in the world dedicated to a professional women’s soccer team.
The stadium would serve as the new home of Tampa Bay Sun FC while anchoring a multi-phase urban district that includes residences, offices, restaurants, retail, a boutique hotel, and the new global headquarters for the USL. Designed by The Beck Group, the project aims to celebrate Tampa Bay’s identity while accelerating Ybor City’s revitalization and creating a national landmark for women’s sports. While renderings have been released, timelines and final budgets are still in development.
“The vision is rooted in opportunity and impact,” said Darryl Shaw. “This project honors the legacy of Ybor City and builds toward a future where women’s sports are front and center in the growth of our city.”
Headquartered in Tampa Bay, the USL is the largest soccer organization in North America, with over 120 employees and an expanding league portfolio that includes the USL Championship, League One, League Two, and the top-tier women’s USL Super League. The new stadium would double as the league’s central hub and a flexible year-round venue for major events, concerts, community gatherings, and national team matches.
“This is more than a home for the USL and Tampa Bay Sun FC—it’s a commitment to building something lasting,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “It’s about momentum, vision, and placing Tampa at the heart of the global conversation around women’s soccer.”
Tampa Bay Sun FC concluded its debut season by capturing the 2025 USL Super League title and finishing with a league-best home record. Every match was streamed on NBC’s Peacock platform, which reaches over 41 million subscribers, providing Tampa Bay with widespread international exposure. The team currently plays at a newly renovated riverfront stadium in Downtown Tampa, which recently earned the 2025 Downtown Experience Award from the Tampa Downtown Partnership.
As the team’s ambitions grow, so does its role in reshaping the narrative around professional women’s sports. The new Ybor Harbor stadium is expected to strengthen that mission—offering a vibrant destination that unites sports, culture, and economic growth in a single waterfront district.
“Tampa is a city of champions,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “This stadium would symbolize our commitment to excellence, inclusion, and bold investment in the future of our communities.”
Stay tuned as Tampa Bay continues to redefine what’s possible in women’s sports and urban development.
