Sacramento City Council approves new 12,000-seat stadium in Railyards district.

On Tuesday, the Sacramento City Council gave the green light for a new 12,000-seat stadium in the Railyards district. For many Sacramentans, reaching this milestone feels like an early score in a high-stakes game—there’s still a long way to go, but the excitement is building.

The news first broke on November 7, when Mayor Steinberg announced at a press conference that the city had struck a tentative deal with Sacramento Republic FC and Wilton Rancheria, now the club’s majority owners, to develop a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose sports facility that will become the home of Sacramento Republic FC.

Mayor Steinberg gave a similar speech five years ago, sharing the stage with Governor Newsom, team owner Kevin Nagle, and investor Ronald Burkle, who at the time was leading the charge for the team’s MLS expansion bid. Back then, the city announced plans for a new $300-million soccer stadium at the Railyards to attract an MLS franchise. That plan was never finalized, as Burkle withdrew from the deal in 2021, citing COVID-19 and economic uncertainties.

Given these past setbacks, the recent announcement of a new partnership and stadium deal with Sacramento Republic FC and Wilton Rancheria has sparked renewed hope among fans and city officials, although some remain cautiously optimistic.

During the recent press conference, Wilton Rancheria Chairman Jesus Tarango announced that the tribe is the first in the Native American nation to hold a majority stake in a men’s professional sports team. Wilton Rancheria also owns Sky River Casino in Elk Grove.

The preliminary term sheet approved by the Sacramento City Council on Tuesday outlines the partnership between the city, Republic FC, and Downtown Railyard Venture LLC, the master developer of the Railyards project. Each entity will play a crucial role in advancing the project.

The stadium is envisioned as a 12,000-seat facility with the flexibility to expand to over 20,000 seats in the future. It will occupy 14 acres of a 31-acre site, located on the eastern portion of the Railyards, east of Seventh Street and south of North B Street. The remaining 17 acres are designated for future development, which could include housing, retail, and a potential hotel.

Wilton Rancheria and Sacramento Republic FC will be responsible for securing financing for the stadium, projected to cost $175 million, along with an additional $42 million for infrastructure improvements. The infrastructure costs will be reimbursed to Wilton Rancheria through incremental tax revenue generated by the Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD).

In addition to constructing the stadium, Sacramento Republic FC will commit to a community benefit program that includes charitable donations, free youth soccer clinics, ticket donations to local charities and nonprofits, and more.

Construction of the stadium could begin as early as 2025, with completion expected by 2027.