USL_Arkansas
USL Arkansas
American soccer team
USL Arkansas is an upcoming American professional soccer team based in Rogers, Arkansas. Founded in 2023, the club plans to have a men's team in the USL Championship before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and a women's team in the USL Super League debuting in late 2026.
| Full name | USL Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Founded | July 12, 2023; 10 months ago (2023-07-12) |
| Stadium | USL Arkansas Stadium (proposed) Rogers, Arkansas |
| Capacity | 5,000 |
| Founders | Chris Martinovic Warren Smith |
| League | USL Championship |
| Website | Club website |
On July 12, 2023, the USL awarded an expansion team to the city of Rogers, Arkansas that will represent the Northwest Arkansas region.[1][2][3] The ownership group consists of Chris Martinovic and Warren Smith.
The club plans to build a new, 5,000-seat stadium located in Rogers, just north of the Pinnacle Hills Promenade. On July 19, 2023, the City of Rogers officially approved the rezoning of the stadium site.[4] USL Arkansas is expected to buy the land through an agreement with Rogers philanthropist Johnelle Hunt, the landowner.[5]
A "Name the Team" campaign created by ownership to hear fan suggestions for team names and branding happened in October 2023.[6] The development of the club's name and branding identity will be led by Stone Ward, an advertising agency with offices in Rogers, Chicago, and Little Rock.[7]
On January 5, 2024, USL Arkansas announced the launch of a Founding Fans panel, a group of 36 fans who will "be instrumental in shaping the club’s defining elements – its name, crest, and logo, ensuring that every aspect resonates with the spirit and values of USL Arkansas’ supporters and community."[8]
- "Professional Soccer Landing in Northwest Arkansas". Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- "Pro soccer teams and a new 5,000-seat stadium are coming to Northwest Arkansas". Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- "USL Arkansas plans soccer club in Northwest Arkansas". Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- "Rogers approves rezoning for new professional soccer stadium". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- "Warren Smith updates USL backing, branding, naming". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- "USL Arkansas Invites Community to "Name The Team" in Latest Campaign". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- "USL Arkansas Partners with Stone Ward to Shape a Dynamic Soccer Brand in Northwest Arkansas in Latest Campaign". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- "USL Arkansas Partners with Stone Ward to Shape a Dynamic Soccer Brand in Northwest Arkansas in Latest Campaign". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 5 January 2024.