government
Sports Rush: Building The Soccer Boom
By Rush Olson at Fort Worth Weekly
· July 2, 2026
· 4 min read
In the early days of Major League Soccer, many of the league’s teams played home games in stadiums designed for American football. Their predecessors in the North American Soccer League had done the same. NFL and college buildings offered professional facilities with large grassy spaces and built-in
Key takeaway Their predecessors in the North American Soccer League had done the same.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The opening of Texas Health Mansfield Stadium marks a significant milestone in the growth of soccer in North Texas. As the primary tenant, North Texas SC of the MLS Next Pro league will have a state-of-the-art facility to call home, tailored to the specific needs of the sport. This development is a testament to the progress made since the early days of Major League Soccer, when teams were forced to play in stadiums designed for American football. The Hunt family's efforts to promote soccer in the region have been instrumental in this growth, and their legacy continues to shape the sport's landscape in Fort Worth and beyond. With the new stadium, fans can expect a more intimate and immersive game experience, which will likely contribute to the increasing popularity of soccer in the area. As the sport continues to gain traction, it will be interesting to see how the stadium impacts the local soccer scene and potentially attracts more events and teams to the region.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Weekly . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: government ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Weekly ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? In the early days of Major League Soccer, many of the league’s teams played home games in stadiums designed for American football. Their predecessors in the North American Soccer League had done the same. NFL and college buildings offered professional facilities with large grassy spaces and built-in
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by Fort Worth Weekly and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Rush Olson at Fort Worth Weekly. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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