New Mexico United has been one of the best-supported clubs in the USL Championship since its inaugural 2019 season when it led the league with an average of 12,693 viewers per game at Isotopes Park. This season, as United are back in action at the venue after spending the length of the shortened 2020 season playing on the streets due to local health protocols, the club has welcomed 8,383 fans per game while hosting restricted competitions.
New Mexico ranks second in the league this season against Louisville City FC, whose story began at Louisville Slugger Field in 2015. The club – now a two-time USL championship title winner – grew attendance at this venue year on year in its final season in 2019, where it had an average of more than 9,000 fans per game. Louisville’s box office success resulted in a stadium proposal similar to United’s approved in 2018, which led LouCity to open its new 15,304-seat Lynn Family Stadium in the city’s Butchertown neighborhood, where the club plays this season, last year welcomed five-digit visitor numbers after fully opening earlier this month after the local health precautions were withdrawn.
The proposal for United’s new venue, which would include numerous other facilities in addition to the cultural center, received an overwhelming support from local residents. In a poll conducted by Research and Polling, Inc. last January, Albuquerque residents were almost 3 to 1 in favor of the new stadium, with broad support among respondents who identified themselves as male, female , Hispanic Designated, Anglo, Ages 18 to 34, Ages 35 to 49, Ages 50 to 64, as well as all income, education, residence time in Albuquerque and region of residence of Albuquerque.
“This is the beginning of an exciting conversation about an institution that could be a turning point for our community and the state,” said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. “Since joining the team in 2018, New Mexico United has captured the spirit of our city and has become an outstanding community partner. While we are facing challenges on many fronts in our city, we must also look ahead and invest in projects that will strengthen our state for decades to come. This facility will attract fans from across the state for sporting events and concerts, and will be an asset to local businesses in the community. With strong support from the Council, Albuquerque families will have the opportunity to make decisions. ”
If the proposed loan is approved by the city council, it would go to the polls for Albuquerque voters in November. If the voters approve, the funding would complement the approximately $ 8 million previously raised by New Mexico United, as well as additional private funding to be determined.
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