Fans’ help sought to design West End Stadium

Article posted by Coliseum, May 21^st, 2020

Image: FC Cincinnati

Fans have been asked to pitch in to help choose the under-construction West End Stadium bowl seating design. The stadium authorities want to finalize the bowl seating design at West End Stadium in an organically-focused way.

When West End Stadium opens in Spring 2021, FC Cincinnati’s future home is expected to be one of the most ambitious soccer-specific stadiums in not only North America, but the world.

FC Cincinnati is a professional soccer team that plays in Major League Soccer, having entered the league as its 24th team in 2019.

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A press release sent out in this regard stated that FC Cincinnati fans are being asked to help the club make a very visible, lasting design decision for the club’s under-construction West End Stadium.

Fans have been given the chance to vote for their favorite final bowl seating design from a group of four patterns drawn up by stadium architect Populous. Fans have five days to vote for their favorite design, with FC Cincinnati to announce the winning design on May 27.

Fans can register their vote from among the four possibilities at fccincinnati.com/seatdesign.

FC Cincinnati is expected to begin seating installation at West End Stadium in the autumn before it opens in the spring of 2021. The stadium is slated to have a capacity of between 26,000 and 26,500.

Fans who vote will be entered into a random draw to win two tickets to FC Cincinnati’s first match at West End Stadium, the release added.

FC Cincinnati President Jeff Berding said, “From the first days of FC Cincinnati, our supporters and fans have been a key part of the organic growth of our club. Given their enthusiasm and leadership in helping us build FCC, we wanted to include our fans and our city in this fun decision.”

Berding added, “Images from inside stadiums are iconic and easily recognizable, and so it’s very special to us that our fans will help make this decision that will represent our club for many years to come. We have four great options – all of which would look fantastic inside West End Stadium – so we’re excited to see what the fans like.”

Jeff Berding, President, FC Cincinnati, US, is a member of ‘Coliseum’s’ Strategic Committee.

FC Cincinnati recently unveiled the four unique premium club spaces at West End Stadium. The spaces will represent 4,500 seats at the stadium and will be split on both sides of the venue.

Work on installing the horizontal trusses to support the stadium’s 360-degree canopy began last week. FC Cincinnati entered MLS in 2019 and currently plays at the 40,000-seat Nippert Stadium, which primarily serves as the home of the University of Cincinnati’s American football team.

Critically acclaimed firm Populous designed an innovative and forward-thinking West End stadium that will be one of the largest soccer-specific facilities in Major League Soccer. The $250 million, privately funded stadium will have the closest seats within 15 feet of the field. The design includes 53 traditional suites and 4,500 premium seats throughout four premium club spaces. Additionally, the team’s famous supporters’ section.

The release further added, The Bailey will grow to be more than 3,100 strong and loom over opponents at a 34-degree angle at the stadium’s north end. A 360-degree canopy roof will cover every seat in the stadium, but still allow sufficient sun in to grow a natural grass field. The stadium will have five team locker rooms, including a comprehensive team suite for FC Cincinnati that features a dressing room, coaches’ offices, lounge, equipment storage and the Mercy Health Center of Excellence for the team’s medical and gameday fitness needs.

The West End Stadium will meet all current requirements to host CONCACAF and FIFA events, featuring top national teams from around the world, including the U.S. Men’s and Women’s national teams, as well as the world’s top club teams for friendlies, the release concluded.

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