Phoenix Rising releases renderings of future MLS stadium in Tempe

PHOENIX — Phoenix Rising FC released renderings Thursday of the team’s proposed Major League Soccer stadium that would be built in Tempe.

“The renderings really bring the stadium to life,” Brett Johnson, co-chairman of the team, said in a release.

“We are excited for the fans to see the innovative, one-of-a-kind design with special attention paid to maximizing shade and airflow in the stadium to ensure player and fan comfort.”

The stadium was designed by Populous, an architecture firm that has designed seven MLS stadiums, and Phoenix-based Gould Evans. It would seat about 21,000 fans when it is built near McClintock Drive and the Loop 202 on tribal land.

No timeline was given to begin construction.

The team currently plays in a pop-up stadium that seats about 6,000 on the same site.

The stadium would be asymmetrically built so a majority of the seats would be on the west side. The higher seating stand would help cut down on direct afternoon sunlight in the open-air facility.

Breathable canopies and shaded entrances would also be placed around the stadium to keep fans cool, along with misting systems and other measures to keep temperatures down.

“We want Phoenix Rising fans to have a game day experience that is second-to-none, so comfort and first-class amenities are top priorities,” Populous Design Director Scott Capstack said.

“From the four unique seating sections to diverse social spaces, this stadium will be the standard-bearer for soccer in the Southwest.”

The team missed out on the latest round of MLS expansion teams, but the new stadium should considerably boost its bid standing.

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