The USL awarded a new franchise to a local investment group in Milwaukee. The club will compete in the USL Championship, the second tier of men’s soccer in the U.S. (MLS is first). A source said the expansion fee for a USL Championship club is currently $20M. Led by local investor groups Kacmarcik Enterprises and Milwaukee Pro Soccer, the club will begin play in 2025 and serve as the primary tenant of an 8,000-seat stadium to be built in a new sports and entertainment district.
Designed by architecture firm Kahler Slater in association with JLG Architects, the Iron District MKE mixed-use development will include a 3,500-seat indoor concert venue, 140-unit residential development, hotel, dining, nightlife and retail operations. The stadium also will host Marquette’s men’s and women’s soccer and lacrosse.
Kacmarcik Enterprises Chair & CEO Jim Kacmarcik is a minority owner of the Bucks, and Kacmarcik Enterprises also owns a majority stake in Forward Madison FC, a nearby club in the third-division USL League One. USL’s expansion to Milwaukee is the latest step in its ambitious plan to operate pro soccer franchises in 70-80 markets by the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In addition to men’s USL teams, that includes women’s teams in the new Super League, which will launch in 2023.
