Construction has officially started on Detroit City FC’s new US$150 million AlumniFi Field, marking the beginning of a major sports and mixed-use development in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. The 15,000-seat stadium will become the club’s permanent home when it opens in spring 2028, replacing its current venue at Keyworth Stadium in nearby Hamtramck.
Club executives joined Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, league officials, community members and supporters on July 15 for the groundbreaking ceremony at the former Southwest Detroit Hospital site near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and 20th Street.
The stadium forms the centerpiece of a broader US$200 million development that combines sports infrastructure with housing, commercial space and parking facilities.
Stadium Anchors Mixed-Use Development
Detroit City FC plans to transform the long-vacant property into a mixed-use destination that extends beyond professional soccer.
The development includes:
- A 15,000-seat AlumniFi Field stadium
- A 421-space parking structure
- Commercial retail space
- A 104-unit mixed-income apartment building, including 76 affordable housing units
The apartment complex will wrap around the parking structure and begin construction after the parking deck reaches completion. Club officials recently expanded the residential component by adding 28 market-rate apartments to improve the project’s financial viability.
The full development carries an estimated value of approximately US$200 million.
Stadium Capacity Supports Club Growth
AlumniFi Field will more than double Detroit City FC’s current seating capacity. The club currently plays home matches at Keyworth Stadium, which accommodates approximately 7,200 spectators.
Detroit City FC competes in the USL Championship, the second tier of professional men’s soccer in the United States, below Major League Soccer.
Sean Mann, co-founder and CEO of Detroit City FC, described the project as a milestone for both the club and American soccer.
“We’re building something very unique here in American soccer and pro sports,” Mann said during the groundbreaking ceremony.
He also described the project as an important turning point for the club, which launched in 2012 and has grown into one of the country’s best-supported lower-division soccer organizations.
Redevelopment Revives Former Hospital Site
The project replaces the former Southwest Detroit Hospital, which remained vacant for years before demolition cleared the site earlier this year.
Mayor Mary Sheffield said the redevelopment transforms a long-neglected property into a community asset that will create employment opportunities, attract investment and expand access to affordable housing.
“Today, we break ground on what it will become,” Sheffield said. “That is a vibrant community asset that will create jobs. It will generate investment. It will provide affordable housing, and bring thousands of people together for generations to come.”
City leaders also expect the development to strengthen connections between Corktown and Mexicantown while revitalizing a previously underused corridor.
Public Support and Private Investment Drive Project
Detroit approved up to US$88 million in development incentives and tax abatements to support the stadium and housing project. The city also approved a US$2 million Community Benefits Agreement to deliver neighborhood improvements alongside construction.
Project leaders estimate the completed development will generate approximately US$25 million in annual economic impact for the surrounding area.
The project team includes:
- Architect: HOK
- General Contractor: Barton Malow
Detroit City FC also recently secured its largest single private investment after former Rocket Companies CEO Jay Farner committed significant financial support. The club did not disclose the investment amount.
Soccer Growth Supports Long-Term Investment
USL Championship President Jeremy Alumbaugh said the timing aligns with rising interest in soccer across the United States as the sport continues to gain momentum ahead of future international competitions.
“The timing for this milestone couldn’t be better,” Alumbaugh said. “Excitement around soccer in the United States continues to build, and as the FIFA World Cup captures global attention, fans are showing up to their local clubs in record numbers like never before.”
Detroit City FC has built a strong community presence since its founding. In addition to its men’s USL Championship team, the organization operates a women’s team in the USL W League, manages a statewide youth network with more than 5,000 players and runs an indoor soccer facility in downtown Detroit.
The club also maintains a unique supporter ownership model. During the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 2,700 supporters invested US$1.48 million, giving fans roughly 10% ownership of the club.
Construction Reflects Broader Stadium Development Trends
The AlumniFi Field project highlights a growing trend in sports venue development, where stadiums serve as anchors for larger mixed-use districts that combine housing, retail and public spaces. Developers increasingly integrate residential and commercial components to strengthen long-term financial performance while generating year-round economic activity. For Detroit City FC, the project represents more than a stadium. It establishes a permanent home for the club while transforming a former brownfield site into a new destination for sports, housing and community investment.
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