Florida’s Winter Garden gets USL stadium

Article posted by Coliseum, May 29^th, 2025

Image: USL

The United Soccer League (USL) and Central Florida Pro Soccer have unveiled plans to build a new 5,000-seat soccer stadium in the city of Winter Garden in Florida.

USL said that the duo have also announced their intent to bring a professional men’s soccer team to the region.

Tampa (US)-based the United Soccer League (USL) is an organizer of various professional and amateur soccer leagues in the United States league system.

In March 2025, Federal Finance, the ownership group of Central Florida Pro Soccer, secured a letter of intent with the city of Winter Garden for a 72-acre site in East Winter Garden, with plans for a mixed-use development anchored by a multi-purpose stadium.

Pending city approvals, Central Florida Pro Soccer plans to move forward with a 5,000-seat multi-purpose soccer stadium and 14 acres of recreational fields with three practice fields, baseball fields, pickleball courts and padel courts.

The development also features more than 150,000 square feet of commercial space, multi-family units, a 160-room hotel, nearly 100,000 square feet of retail, public parks, and a walking trail.

Justin Papadakis, Deputy CEO and Chief Real Estate Officer with the USL said, “Winter Garden is one of the most family-friendly cities in the country with a passionate soccer fanbase, making it a perfect place to build one of our community-centric clubs.

“Central Florida Pro Soccer’s project is an ambitious mixed-use development that will serve as a true community asset and local gathering place.

“As the centerpiece of the project, the soccer stadium will unite residents, drive economic growth and inspire youth athletes for generations to come.”

Central Florida Pro Soccer is founded by an international ownership team with strong local ties and deep experience in real estate development.

The group is led by Federal Finance’s Tan Bahia and Austin Root, who also launched Federal Sports Alliance — a boutique sports and real estate management firm focused on creating Live-Work-Play ecosystems that add value not only to clubs, but to the communities around them.

Bahia said, “Given soccer’s incredible growth trajectory in the United States and The World Cup right around the corner, it’s time that Winter Garden – one of America’s top 10 cities to live in – joins the movement with its own professional team.

“With games broadcast nationally and on streaming services, our club will help Winter Garden become known around the world as not only a great place to live but one with a world-class soccer club, too.

“Central Florida has a strong youth soccer culture, and we’re excited to join the USL ecosystem and provide a pathway for homegrown players to move up to the professional ranks.”

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