Q2 Stadium
{{Short description|Soccer stadium in Austin, Texas, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Q2 Stadium
| nickname = McKalla Place
| fullname = Q2 Stadium at McKalla Place
| former names = Austin FC Stadium (tentative name)
| logo_image = Q2_Stadium_logo.svg
| logo_caption =
| logo_size = 150px
| image = Austin FC Stadium vs. Columbus Crew.jpg
| image_caption = Austin FC vs. Columbus Crew in June 2021
| pushpin_map = Texas#USA
| pushpin_label = Q2 Stadium
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Texas##Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief = yes
| address = 10414 McKalla Place
Austin, TX 78758
| location =
| coordinates = {{Coord|30.3877|-97.7195|display=title,inline|type:landmark_region:US-TX}}
| type = Soccer-specific stadium
| genre =
| broke_ground = September 9, 2019
| built =
| opened = June 16, 2021
| renovated =
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = Anthony Precourt
| operator = Two Oak Ventures LLC
| surface = Grass
| scoreboard =
| production =
| cost = ~$260 million
| architect = Gensler
| builder = Austin Commercial
| project_manager =
| structural engineer = Walter P Moore
| services engineer = Henderson Engineers
| general_contractor =
| main_contractors = Idibri
| seating_type = Seated, safe standing{{cite web|url=https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2019/04/austin-fc-stadium-design-taking-shape/|title=Austin FC Stadium Design Taking Shape|first=Zach|last=Spedden|date=April 26, 2019|website=Soccerstadiumdigest.com|access-date=June 7, 2019}}
| suites =
| record_attendance =
| dimensions = {{convert|115|x|75|yd|m|abbr=on}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statesman.com/sports/20200204/rising-stadium-signals-that-austin-fc-mls-are-on-their-way|title = Rising stadium signals that Austin FC, MLS are on their way}}
| acreage =
| volume =
| tenants = Austin FC (MLS) 2021–present
| embedded =
| website =
| publictransit = CapMetro Rapid Braker/Stadium station
McKalla station
}}
Q2 Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium located in the North Burnet section of North Austin, Texas, United States. It is the home of Austin FC, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team that began play in 2021. The stadium hosted its first event on June 16, 2021, an international friendly between the United States women's national team and Nigeria.
Site history
The earliest noted development of the tract of land was in 1956, when the land was christened as a 23.5 acre chemical manufacturing plant. The manufacturing plant produced various chemicals for Reichhold Chemicals, generally peroxides, for the majority of its 29 years as a chemical plant. The facility was closed following a series of on-site safety incidents in December, 1985, which made it economically infeasible to operate.{{cite web|url=https://www.estadiomckalla.com/about-mckalla/history-of-mckalla-place/|title=History of McKalla Place|website=Estadiomckalla.com|access-date=June 7, 2019}}
The land was annexed into the Austin city limits on July 19, 1973.{{cite web|url=http://www.austintexas.gov/GIS/JurisdictionsWebMap/|title=Geocortex Viewer for HTML5|website=Austintexas.gov|access-date=June 7, 2019}}
Reichhold's parent company, DIC Corporation, sold the land to the City of Austin in 1995 for $1.4 million, with the city planning on using it as the Austin Water North Service Center. However, during construction of the facility in 2003, an explosion occurred, with workers finding illegally stored chemical waste on the site. Remediation was undertaken, stripping the site down to bedrock. The city sued DIC, and received $3.6 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20180222/mckalla-place-the-good-bad-and-ugly-for-possible-mls-stadium-site|title=McKalla Place: The good, bad and ugly for possible MLS stadium site|first=Kevin|last=Lyttle|website=Austin American-Statesman|access-date=June 7, 2019}}
When Precourt Sports Ventures, operator of Columbus Crew SC, announced they were intending to move the team to Austin, city staff identified eight potential sites for a permanent stadium.{{cite web|url=https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/city-county/2017/12/12/map-austin-recommends-8-public-properties-new-major-league-soccer-field/|title=MAP: Austin recommends these 8 public properties for a new Major League Soccer field|first=Christopher|last=Neely|date=December 12, 2017|website=Community Impact Newspaper|access-date=June 7, 2019}} 10414 McKalla Place was identified as one of those eight sites, and following some public debate, became the prime candidate following the Austin City Council meeting on March 22, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2018/03/council-approves-study-of-mckalla-place-as-soccer-stadium-site/|title=Council approves study of McKalla Place as soccer stadium site|date=March 26, 2018|website=Austin Monitor|access-date=June 7, 2019}} After several sessions, the Austin City Council granted the City Manager the authority to negotiate and execute a lease with the 7–4 vote during a special session on August 15, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20180816/austin-city-council-votes-yes-to-mls-at-mckalla-place|title=Austin City Council votes 'yes' to MLS at McKalla Place|first=Kevin|last=Lyttle|website=Austin American-Statesman|access-date=June 7, 2019}} The city announced that the lease had been completed and signed on December 19, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.kut.org/post/major-league-soccer-and-precourt-sports-sign-lease-stadium-site-north-austin|title=Major League Soccer And Precourt Sports Sign Lease For Stadium Site In North Austin|author=Jimmy Maas|website=Kut.org|date=December 19, 2018|access-date=June 7, 2019}}
The 20-year lease of the site includes yearly rent of $550,000 beginning in year six, with an additional $3.6 million being given to CapMetro for transit. The stadium would be fully financed and built with private money, though stadium ownership would be held by the city itself. The club has the ability to extend the lease up to three times, with each extension being ten years.{{cite web|url=http://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Austin_Stadium_Lease_and_Development_Agreement__Final_.pdf|title=LEASE AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT by and between CITY OF AUSTIN, as Landlord and AUSTIN STADCO LLC, as Tenant|website=Austintexas.gov|access-date=7 June 2019}}
Construction
File:Austin FC Stadium Construction July 2020.jpg
The approximately 20,500-seat stadium was expected to cost $260 million, with team operator Precourt Sports Ventures privately financing the construction.{{cite news |url= https://www.mystatesman.com/sports/soccer/details-potential-mckalla-place-soccer-deal-emerge/ByfLr2PeeytT6G9XLmmZ9O/ |title= Details of potential McKalla Place soccer deal emerge|website=Mystatesman.com |access-date= July 28, 2018}} Other elements for the 24-acre site and surroundings include green space, potential housing, and mixed-use retail.
In March 2019, Precourt Sports named Austin Commercial as the construction manager and Gensler as the lead architect for the stadium, and announced that groundbreaking will take place in September 2019.
Re-zoning the site to stadium requirements passed Austin City Council unanimously on June 6, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PhilJankowski/status/1136754000269840384|title=On to No. 97, rezoning McKalla Place to build the MLS stadium for @austinfc. Some speakers on this one. Could get interesting! #ATXcouncil #mls2atx #AustinFCpic.twitter.com/HZsbvo7xb3|first=Phil|last=Jankowski|date=June 6, 2019|publisher=Twitter|access-date=June 7, 2019}}
On August 19, 2019, a site plan for the Austin FC stadium in North Austin was approved by the city of Austin, Texas.{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2019/08/19/site-plan-approved-for-austin-fc-stadium.html|title=Site plan approved for Austin FC stadium|date=August 19, 2019|publisher=bizjournals.com}}
In January 2021, Austin FC entered a naming rights partnership with Q2 Holdings, a local online banking provider, resulting in the stadium formally being named Q2 Stadium on January 25, 2021.{{cite news |last1=Rosner |first1=Mark |title=Austin's MLS stadium now officially has a name |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/pro/2021/01/25/austin-fc-stadium-q-2-holdings-mls-texas/6701530002 |access-date=January 25, 2021 |work=Austin American-Statesman |publisher=Statesman.com |date=January 25, 2021 |location=Austin, Texas}}{{cite web |title=Austin FC announce stadium naming rights partnership with Q2 Holdings Inc. |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2021/01/25/austin-fc-announce-stadium-naming-rights-partnership-q2-holdings-inc |publisher=MLS |access-date=January 25, 2021 |date=January 25, 2021}}
Public transportation
{{see also|McKalla station}}
Q2 Stadium sits next to McKalla station on CapMetro's Red Line commuter rail service, opened in 2024 specifically to serve the stadium.{{Cite web |last=KUT |first=Nathan Bernier |date=2024-02-26 |title=New Cap Metro train station opens at Q2 Stadium as 'quiet zones' take effect |url=https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2024/02/new-cap-metro-train-station-opens-at-q2-stadium-as-quiet-zones-take-effect/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Austin Monitor |language=en-US}} Before then, the closest existing station on the Red Line was Kramer station, about a {{convert|0.5|mi|km|adj=on}} walk from the stadium. The new station provides a much shorter and more direct walking route from rail services to the stadium without having to cross any roads. Kramer station is expected to be relocated about {{convert|0.6|mi|km|adj=on}} north to the Broadmoor campus and be renamed Broadmoor station.{{Cite web |title=CapMetro Rail Red Line Map |url=https://capmetro.org/uploadedFiles/New2016/ProjectConnect/Maps/RedLineMap.pdf |access-date=June 20, 2020 |website=CapMetro}}
Bus connections to the stadium include CapMetro Rapid route 803 and CapMetro Bus routes 3, 383, 392, and 466.{{Cite web|title=Capital Metro Memorandum|url=http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/3_2018_COA_MLS_Stadium_Evaluation_-_Capital_Metro_MEMO_050718.pdf|access-date=June 20, 2020|website=Austin, Texas}}{{Dead link|date=January 2021}}
Events
The stadium opened on June 16, 2021, hosting an international women's friendly between the United States and Nigeria. Christen Press scored the first ever goal in the stadium.
Austin FC played their first ever match at the stadium on June 19, 2021, against the San Jose Earthquakes.{{cite news |last1=Klick |first1=Andrea |last2=Jankowski |first2=Philip |date=June 16, 2021 |title=How to get in and out of Austin FC's new soccer stadium: First big test looms |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/2021/06/15/how-get-in-out-austinfc-q-2-soccer-stadium/7640816002/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |accessdate=June 16, 2021}} The match ended with a 0–0 draw in front of a sellout crowd of 20,738.{{cite news |last1=Sigal |first1=Jonathan |date=June 19, 2021|title=Recap: Austin FC 0, San Jose Earthquakes 0 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/recap-austin-fc-0-san-jose-earthquakes-0}} On July 1, 2021, Jon Gallagher scored the first ever competitive goal in Q2 Stadium history, during the 27th minute of Austin FC's 3rd ever regular MLS season home match versus Portland Timbers, eventually finishing as a 4–1 win to Austin FC.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/austin-fc-savor-momentous-occasion-of-first-win-first-goals-at-q2-stadium|title=Austin FC Savor "Momentous Occasion" Of First Win, First Goals At Q2 Stadium|first=Jonathan|last=Sigal|website=MLS.com|access-date=July 2, 2021}}
On July 29, 2021, USA beat Qatar in the Gold Cup Semifinals on a Gyasi Zardes goal in the 86th minute, and Q2 hosted its first World Cup qualifying match that October, a 2–0 win against Jamaica. Q2 hosted its first Nations League match on June 10, 2022, a 5–0 win against Grenada. FC Dallas striker Jesús Ferreira scored 4 goals for the Americans in the match, the first ever hat-trick in Q2 Stadium.
On July 4, 2022, Q2 Stadium held its first non-sporting event, when it hosted Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic and Firework show, an annual event that was started in 1972.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinfc.com/news/willie-nelson-announces-4th-of-july-picnic-and-fireworks#:~:text=America's%20beloved%20icon%20Willie%20Nelson,%2C%20on%20Monday%2C%20July%204. |title=Willie Nelson Announces 4th of July Picnic and Fireworks At Q2 Stadium |date=April 8, 2022 |website=www.AustinFC.com |publisher=Q2 Stadium |access-date=December 8, 2023}}
On July 30, 2022, Q2 hosted its first non-soccer event, Premier Rugby Sevens, featuring a single day Rugby sevens tournament with the Experts, Loonies, Headliners, and Loggerheads.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-26 |title=The Championship for Premier Rugby Sevens Comes To Austin's Q2 Stadium |url=https://www.kxan.com/studio-512/the-championship-for-premier-rugby-sevens-comes-to-austins-q2-stadium/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=KXAN Austin |language=en-US}} PR7s returned to Q2 on June 17, 2023, for the Eastern Conference Kickoff.{{Cite web |title=Premier Rugby Sevens' return to Austin shows budding interest, potential audience |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/local/2023/06/16/2023-premier-rugby-sevens-returns-to-q2-stadium-in-austin/70327112007/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=Austin American-Statesman |language=en-US}}
In December 2023, Q2 was selected to host 2 matches for the 2024 Copa América, a quadrennial CONMEBOL soccer tournament. Copa América is the oldest national team soccer tournament in the world. Q2 was one of fourteen stadium selected in the United States and one of three soccer specific stadiums chosen to host matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinfc.com/news/q2-stadium-named-as-a-host-venue-for-the-2024-conmebol-copa-america |title=Q2 Stadium Named As A Host Venue For The 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America |date=December 4, 2023 |website=www.AustinFC.com |publisher=Q2 Stadium |access-date=December 8, 2023}} Later that month, the 2024 Copa América draw revealed that the first game would feature Venezuela and Jamaica, and the second game would feature Paraguay and the winner of qualifying play-off match between Costa Rica and Honduras.{{cite web |url=https://www.austinfc.com/news/2024-conmebol-copa-america-draw-confirms-matchups-to-take-place-at-q2-stadium |title=2024 CONMEBOL Copa America Draw Confirms Matchups To Take Place at Q2 Stadium |date=December 7, 2023 |website=www.AustinFC.com |publisher=Q2 Stadium |access-date=December 8, 2023}}
=International Soccer=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; width:95%;" style="text-align:center" | |||||
| style="text-align:center; background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#00AE42|2px}}:"|Date
!style="text-align:center; background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#00AE42|2px}};"|Team #1 !style="text-align:center; background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#00AE42|2px}};"|Result !style="text-align:center; background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#00AE42|2px}};"|Team #2 !style="text-align:center; background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#00AE42|2px}};"|Tournament !style="text-align:center; background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#00AE42|2px}};"|Spectators | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center;|June 16, 2021 | {{fbw|USA}} | style="text-align:center;|2–0 | {{fbw|NGA}} | style="text-align:center;|Women's International Friendly | style="text-align:center;|20,500 |
| style="text-align:center;|July 29, 2021 | {{fb|QAT}} | style="text-align:center;|0–1 | {{fb|USA}} | style="text-align:center;|2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinal | style="text-align:center;|20,500 |
| style="text-align:center;|October 7, 2021 | {{fb|USA}} | style="text-align:center;|2–0 | {{fb|JAM}} | style="text-align:center;|2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying | style="text-align:center;|20,500 |
| style="text-align:center;|December 8, 2021 | {{fb|MEX}} | style="text-align:center;|2–2 | {{fb|CHI}} | style="text-align:center;|Friendly | 17,202 |
| style="text-align:center;|June 10, 2022 | {{fb|USA}} | style="text-align:center;|5–0 | {{fb|GRN}} | style="text-align:center;|2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A | 20,500 |
| style="text-align:center;|April 8, 2023 | {{fbw|USA}} | style="text-align:center;|2–0 | {{fbw|IRL}} | style="text-align:center;|Women's International Friendly | style="text-align:center;|20,593 |
| style="text-align:center;|November 16, 2023 | {{fb|USA}} | style="text-align:center;|3–0 | {{fb|TTO}} | style="text-align:center;|2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League A | 19,850 |
| style="text-align:center;|June 30, 2024 | {{fb|JAM}} | style="text-align:center;|0–3 | {{fb|VEN}} | rowspan=2|2024 Copa América | 20,240 |
| style="text-align:center;|July 2, 2024 | {{fb|CRC}} | style="text-align:center;|2–1 | {{fb|PAR}} | 12,765 | |
| style="text-align:center;|October 12, 2024 | {{fb|USA}} | style="text-align:center;|2–0 | {{fb|PAN}} | style="text-align:center;|Friendly | 20,239 |
| style="text-align:center;|October 24, 2024 | {{fbw|USA}} | style="text-align:center;|3–1 | {{fbw|ISL}} | style="text-align:center;|Women's International Friendly | style="text-align:center;|18,580 |
| style="text-align:center;|June 19, 2025 | {{fb|KSA}} | style="text-align:center;|– | {{fb|USA}} | style="text-align:center;|2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group D | style="text-align:center;| |
| style="text-align:center;|June 20, 2025 | {{fb|GUA}} | style="text-align:center;|– | {{fb|PAN}} | style="text-align:center;|2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C | style="text-align:center;| |
| style="text-align:center;|June 24, 2025 | {{fb|PAN}} | style="text-align:center;|– | {{fb|JAM}} | style="text-align:center;|2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C | style="text-align:center;| |
Average attendances
{{row counter|
| class{{=}}"wikitable sortable"
!Tenants!!League season!!Home games!!Average attendancehttps://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/usa-major-league-soccer-2024/1/https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/usa-major-league-soccer-2023/1/ | |||
| Austin FC | 2024 | 17 | 20,738 |
| Austin FC | 2023 | 17 | 20,738 |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Q2 Stadium}}
- {{official website|https://www.q2stadium.com}}
{{Austin FC}}
{{Major League Soccer stadiums}}
{{2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup stadiums}}
{{2024 Copa América venues}}
{{2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup venues}}
Category:Soccer venues in Texas
Category:Sports venues in Austin, Texas
Category:Major League Soccer stadiums