Is a professional soccer stadium finally showing signs of life in Des Moines? It appears that progress is being made toward building the stadium, even though it could still be a while before construction begins.

The original plans for the stadium were to have the construction completed by 2024. Those plans were delayed in 2022, and there hasn't been an update on when construction could begin or will be completed.

It's been 3 years since the plans for the soccer stadium received $23.5 million in state funding. For those excited to see construction begin...you'll have to be patient.

*This is a stock photo of a soccer stadium and not a representation of the stadium being talked about in this article*

Des Moines Soccer Stadium

According to the Des Moines Register, "the Iowa Soccer Development Foundation has formally submitted its application for the Iowa Reinvestment District funds, which come from a share of sales taxes generated by the stadium and other improvements."

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What this means is the Iowa Economic Development Authority board will have until July 1, 2025, to approve or deny these plans, which is required by State Law.

The stadium plans to include 6,300 seats and would be developed by the Krause Group, who are the former owners of the Kum & Go convenience stores. The stadium is expected to cost $95 million and would house a U.S. professional men's soccer team.

If and/or when the stadium is approved, the USL Championship League can officially announce a Des Moines soccer team. That announcement cannot be "official" until the stadium plans are underway.

The Next Steps

The City of Des Moines will need to complete an agreement to remediate the Superfund site, which is where the stadium and plaza are planned to be built, according to the Des Moines Register. A request has been sent to a vote by the Polk County Board of Supervisors for the county's promised $7 million contribution.

The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation will still be in charge of raising the remaining $19.5 million to cover the rest of the costs.

The City Manager in Des Moines is Matt Anderson and he told the Register "This development will serve as a cornerstone for future growth and vibrancy downtown, and we are eager to see it come to life."

Construction on the stadium cannot and will not begin until these final funding gaps are completed and closed. While the Iowa Soccer Development Foundation has made progess in sending their application for the reivestment district funds, it could still be a while before the stadium is completed in Iowa.