The new venue on the former Southwest Detroit Hospital site will anchor community
revitalization and debut in the 2027 USL season.
NEW YORK — United Soccer League Championship club Detroit City FC has chosen global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm HOK to lead the design of its new 15,000-seat stadium in southwest Detroit. The stadium is expected to open in the 2027 USL season.
The city’s first soccer-specific stadium will rise on the abandoned site of the former Southwest Detroit Hospital. HOK’s design will create a welcoming community hub that bridges downtown Detroit between the historic Corktown and Southwest neighborhoods. Beyond match days, Detroit City FC’s owners envision the stadium supporting economic development in the neighborhoods and city.
“This partnership with HOK marks an exciting new chapter for our stadium project and DCFC,” said Sean Mann, CEO of DCFC. “This stadium represents more than a home for our club—it’s a testament to the passion and resilience of our supporters and the spirit of our city. As one of the first major projects led by a new generation of Detroiters, we take immense pride in creating a place where our community can gather and celebrate for years.” We look forward to working with an industry leader like HOK to bring this vision to life.”
“We’re honored to collaborate with Detroit City FC on a project that will celebrate the club’s passionate supporters while energizing the city,” said Chris DeVolder, director of Sports + Recreation + Entertainment at HOK. “The stadium will be a vibrant example of urban placemaking. Our design will embrace the unique site and offer fans an exceptional, hospitality-driven game-day experience.”
About Detroit City Football Club
Founded in 2012, Detroit City FC has established itself as one of the most talked-about soccer teams in North America. The organization’s founding vision was to satisfy the demand for soccer in downtown Detroit, represent the city in a positive light, and build community through “the beautiful game.” Founded by a group of young Detroiters, Detroit City FC has developed into a minor league soccer success story, with one of the most exciting match atmospheres in North America, consistently sold-out games, and passionate supporters. Today, DCFC fields a men’s first team that participates in the USL Championship – the second highest level in the US men’s game; a women’s team that plays in the amateur USL W League, a growing youth academy, a growing statewide affiliation of youth clubs numbering over 3000 players, as well as a successful indoor soccer facility in downtown Detroit.
About HOK
HOK’s Sports + Recreation + Entertainment practice specializes in designing stadiums, arenas, ballparks, training and recreation facilities, and entertainment complexes that anchor thriving entertainment districts. Recent and ongoing projects include Etihad Park, New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium for New York City FC; Energizer Park for St. Louis CITY SC; Little Caesars Arena and The District Detroit in Detroit; Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the State Farm Arena renovation in Atlanta; the Footprint Center renovation in Phoenix; Hard Rock Stadium in Miami; and Rogers Place and the ICE District in Edmonton. Celebrating our 70th anniversary in 2025, HOK is a collective of future-forward thinkers and designers who are driven to face the critical challenges of our time. We are dedicated to improving people’s lives, serving our clients and healing the planet. Together, we cultivate a culture of design excellence at the confluence of art and science, blending the power of creative expression with a clear sense of purpose. hok.com
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