FC Cincinnati: How they got cooking in two stadiums at once

FC Cincinnati have a spanking new stadium under construction. They also generate a terrific atmosphere at Nippert Stadium. This is how they got cooking in two stadiums at once.

FC Cincinnati officials start their first MLS season with divided minds. They have two stadiums to worry about during the final two seasons at Nippert. While building work continues on the West End Stadium, Cincinnati, for now, will play their home matches at Nippert Stadium.

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats will benefit as FC Cincinnati laid a new artificial surface there. They also updated the locker rooms, among other improvements. On his own, team owner Carl Lindner III paid for a new video board, four times larger than before. He also upgraded the sound system and installed technology to improve cell phone coverage.

Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati has blazed a trail through government procedures and community involvement for their new West End MLS stadium. The government actions haven’t finished yet.

Cincinnati City Council just approved the necessary rezoning in the West End for stadium construction to start. That happened February 21. Team President and General Manager Jeff Berding said the vote came in time to keep the $250 million stadium – privately funded – on track.

West End residents had to be convinced this wasn’t a plan simply to dig a hole, pour concrete, move in the team and start selling tickets. After a full slate of community meetings with all stakeholders, residents became convinced there were benefits for them, as well.

One restaurant owner reported she would have to close her business for the project. In a separate vote at the same rezoning meeting, the Council voted to pay the owner $75,000. The money is meant to fund reestablishment and relocation of her business, including a possible food truck.

Berding assured that FC Cincinnati stood by all stakeholders, including Just Cookin.

Once the stadium gets built and all the area businesses get settled, they’ll see something amazing. The front office of FC Cincinnati knows how to grow a soccer culture and build attendance better than anyone in sports.

So Just Cookin should expect to stay very busy around West End, especially on game days.

During FC Cincinnati’s three USL years, there were few weeks that the team didn’t outdraw most soccer teams in North American in any league. In their last USL season, they seated 437,197 fans, averaging 25,717.

Jam that record into the 2018 MLS attendance report and FC Cincinnati comes in fourth, just behind Toronto FC. The team has already pledged more attendance milestones as an MLS franchise, even before taking residence in their new stadium. They have a goal of 25,000 season tickets for 2019. They broke their record, going over 18,000 season tickets sold, late last year.

Their first home game is March 17, a day game against the Portland Timbers. So FC Cincinnati already has things heating up at home. Before you know it, everyone in West End will be cookin.