Austin FC Stadium Coming Into Focus As MLS Launch Draws Closer

MLS expansion club Austin FC continues construction of its new stadium, and club President Andy Loughnane said the community is "probably starting to become aware that this is real," according to Chris Bils of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. Loughnane said just in the last two weeks, construction has "gone vertical quickly." Bils notes there are about 450 construction workers on site six days a week. Meanwhile, the business side of the team is "rolling along just fine." Loughnane said that the team recently "surpassed a milestone of deposits for 40,000 seats, more than enough to fill the venue." The franchise also will "unveil a major sponsor next week." Before they purchase tickets, deposit holders are getting a preview of the $250M stadium via a virtual reality "experience center" that uses renderings to create a 3D view from each seat. The stadium is slated to open in April '21 (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2/5). SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL's Bill King reports all 27 of the stadium's suites "are leased, at prices expected to set new highs for the league." Loge boxes topping out at more than $40,000 annually "also are spoken for, with twice as many deposits collected as there are boxes." About 400 premium field-level seats priced similarly to some NBA courtside seats "also are gone" (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/3 issue).