- July 20, 2026
- Posted by: SVB
- Categories: Featured Articles, Features, Home News, Industry News, News, Press Releases
Detroit City Football Club (DCFC) and its development partners have broken ground on the club’s future AlumniFi Field stadium.
The ground-breaking marks a major step forward for the 15,000-seat soccer-specific stadium and broader mixed-use project rising at the former Southwest Detroit Hospital site.
Sean Mann, Co-Founder and CEO of Detroit City FC said:
“As a club built from the ground up by Detroiters, this moment reflects years of work, belief and investment from our supporters and partners.
“Breaking ground on AlumniFi Field brings us one step closer to creating a forever home for our supporters and a development that reflects the pride, history and future of this city.”
The $150 million-plus stadium project is part of a $200 million development that will enhance and connect southwest Detroit as a year-round sports and entertainment destination.
The 2026 SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition – focused on elevating the live experience across sports and entertainment – is being hosted at Everton FC’s spectacular new Hill Dickinson Stadium, Oct 1st and 2nd, with an Opening Night Icebreaker at Liverpool FC’s iconic Anfield Stadium on Sept 30th.
In addition to the stadium, the overall project includes a 421-space parking garage and a 104-unit residential building, including 76 affordable housing units.
April Clobes, President and CEO of naming rights sponsor and official financial partner, AlumniFi, said:
“This project represents what happens when organizations come together around a shared commitment to community.
“We’re proud to partner with Detroit City FC on a development that honors the history of this site while creating new opportunities for the city of Detroit. At AlumniFi, we believe strong communities start with financial well-being, and we’re committed to helping people build the generational wealth needed to thrive and achieve their dreams.”
The groundbreaking follows the Detroit City Council’s unanimous approval of the development in November 2025, following the Community Benefits Ordinance process. That agreement included more than $2.27 million in total community benefits, including:
- $1.2 million dedicated to neighborhood organizations;
- 3,000 free tickets for neighbors each year;
- a $17-an-hour minimum wage; local hiring priorities;
- a $200,000 revolving loan fund for small businesses, and
- investments in public art, transportation, pedestrian safety and neighborhood improvements.
As the site enters a new chapter, DCFC and its development partners continue to recognize the legacy of Southwest Detroit Hospital, which opened in 1973 and was the first hospital in Detroit to accredit African American doctors and nurses.
The club plans to honor that history through artistic installations, historical markers and storytelling elements incorporated throughout the new stadium development.
With the demolition of the long-vacant hospital property completed earlier this year, the project is closer to returning the site to productive use ahead of the stadium’s planned 2028 opening. Mayor Mary Sheffield said:
“This is exactly the kind of neighborhood investment we want to see across Detroit. This property sat vacant for far too long 一 now this redevelopment is creating lasting benefits for Detroiters.
“It will extend beyond the project itself with direct support for neighborhood organizations, local hiring, small businesses and improvements that residents will benefit from for years to come.”
The state’s only privately owned major sports stadium is expected to create 1,030 construction jobs and 142 new permanent full-time positions.
Nearly 6,000 seat orders have already been secured through deposits for the 2028 season, underscoring the strong demand for professional soccer and community-focused entertainment in Detroit.
Founded in 2012, Detroit City FC has grown from a grassroots startup into one of the most recognized soccer clubs in North America, known for its passionate supporters, inclusive culture, and community-driven mission.
DCFC fields a men’s first team in the USL Championship, a women’s side in the USL W League, a growing youth academy, and a statewide youth club network of more than 5,000 players. The club also operates an indoor soccer facility in downtown Detroit.
Source and image courtesy of Detroit City FC
SVB LIVE provides an unrivalled global community, with opportunities to network, collaborate and explore new possibilities year-round via the SVB LIVE Business Club.
Check out the latest sports & entertainment venue development data from across the globe in the exclusive, subscription-only, SVB Global Report here.
