Plans unveiled for Fort Wayne soccer stadium
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(rendering courtesy of Design Collaborative)
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(rendering courtesy of Design Collaborative)
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(rendering courtesy of Design Collaborative)
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(rendering courtesy of Design Collaborative)
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(rendering courtesy of Design Collaborative)
The idea of a new soccer stadium in Fort Wayne has been in the works for several months. But now, a local businessman has made plans for such a project official.
Mark Music, owner and CEO of Ruoff Mortgage and majority owner of Fort Wayne Football Club, announced plans Monday for a 7,500-seat stadium that would be the club’s new home beginning in 2026.
Our partners at WPTA-TV reported the project, to be built near I-69 and Bass Road on the city’s west side, will be a privately funded venture led by Music. A specific dollar figure for the investment was not provided.
“While this will be an incredible stadium for soccer fans and event attendees, we want to look beyond the field to the potential of contributing to the growth of sport in northeast Indiana and beyond,” Music said in a news release. “Sports is an integral part of today’s society and adds to the quality of place. Soccer will continue to grow especially with the World Cup phenomenon that will come to the United States in 2026.”
While the stadium will have the seating capacity for 7,500 fans, its design will accommodate a total of nearly 9,300 with standing room only spots for soccer matches and more than 10,000 for concerts and other events, the club said.
Fort Wayne-based Design Collaborative was tapped as the architect for the project.
The design features a wrap-around concourse with seat-back style seating in the lower bowl and upper grandstands, all covered by a continuous canopy roof awning on three sides. The team said there will also be dedicated space for the club’s supporters, as well as 10 field-level suites and additional seating areas.
Music said the design was made with the fan experience as a top priority.
“This stadium is going to be more than just a beautiful structure; it will be a place where long term soccer fans, as well as newcomers who want to learn more about the world’s most popular sport, come together to celebrate the beautiful game,” he said.
A rezoning petition for 32 acres at the site was filed back in March. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette previously reported the site had been set for the new headquarters of Fort Wayne-based Ruoff Mortgage, which in 2022 decided to move into the former Swiss Re building instead.
While a specific timeline for construction was not provided, the club said its 2025 season will be played at the University of Saint Francis Bishop D’Arcy Stadium with the goal of starting the 2026 season at the new stadium.
Fort Wayne Football Club currently competes in the United Soccer League (USL) League 2, and the team expects to make what it says is a major announcement regarding plans to bring professional soccer to northeast Indiana for the 2026 season.
Additionally, the club said naming rights for the stadium and other branding assets will be made available soon for potential corporate partners.