San Francisco is set to score a new professional soccer team, as Mayor Daniel Lurie, alongside Golden City Football Club (GCFC), unveiled plans to bring an MLS NEXT Pro league team to the city. The team is slated to start their inaugural season in 2026 or 2027 and will play at Kezar Stadium, which is poised for substantial upgrades funded by GCFC to the tune of at least $10 million. As per the City and County of San Francisco, Mayor Lurie said, “This announcement is more than just a new team—it represents a new era for San Francisco sports.”
Scheduled upkeeps include a cutting-edge natural grass field, a high-definition LED scoreboard, and infrastructural improvements ensuring ADA compliance. Kezar’s makeover, pegged as the most significant in decades, aims to benefit a wide spectrum of users, from professional athletes to community sports programs. “This partnership is a game-changer—not just for soccer, but for everyone who plays, runs, cheers, and gathers at this historic stadium,” Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, told the City and County of San Francisco.
The move is expected to reinvigorate businesses in surrounding neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury and the Inner Sunset, which will see increased foot traffic on game days. Locals are revving up for the inflow of fans, with Cyril Hackett, owner of Kezar Pub, saying, “The energy and excitement that big games bring to the area not only support our business but also help our community thrive.” Christin Evans, who owns Alembic and The Booksmith, echoes the sentiment. “The arrival of Golden City Football Club is a welcome development for our neighborhood and the city as a whole,” Evans said, per the City and County of San Francisco.
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