Garland, Texas (Jan. 27, 2025) – New details are being released about the City of Garland soon becoming a professional soccer hub. Mayor Scott LeMay announced during his State of the City address Jan. 27 that the City is in final negotiations to develop a professional and youth soccer complex located at President George Bush Turnpike and Holford Road. This news comes after the November 2024 announcement by USL Dallas that it will be bringing a men’s Championship League team to Garland.

Founded in 1986, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in the United States, with three men’s leagues and two women’s leagues. USL Dallas joins a lineup of 24 teams in the Championship League and is sanctioned as a men’s Division II professional team by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
“I remember the City’s first meeting about bringing professional sports to Garland,” said Mayor LeMay. “That meeting took place in September 2021. Lots of hours of planning, what ifs and why nots have gotten us to where we are today.”
Recognizing the power of sports to unite people across cities, states and even countries, Garland’s proposed professional and youth soccer complex delivers on residents’ desire to create a destination. It would be a crown jewel of the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan, laying the foundation for a broader mixed use entertainment district.
Not just an attraction, however, it would also be a home for the Garland community. Proclaimed a soccer city by Mayor LeMay, the Garland Soccer Association is in its 53rd year of existence.

“That’s tens of thousands of kids that have been impacted over the years,” he explained. “This summer, we will also host our sixth annual DFW Asian American Soccer Tournament with more than 30 teams from multiple countries competing. And our third annual First Responders Soccer Tournament will bring together police and fire teams from all over North Texas.”
Additionally, the Garland Independent School District’s soccer programs continue to grow year-after-year. A big part of the USL Dallas mission will be to empower young athletes and inspire the next generation of leaders. In fact, the United Soccer League is the first and only organization to offer a comprehensive youth-to-professional pathway.
“We are so excited for the chance to bring professional sports to the City of Garland and East Dallas,” said Matt Valentine, founder and chairman of USL Dallas.
“This partnership to build a top tier sports complex could be a huge draw for both professional and community soccer in North Texas.”
From the community to USL Dallas to all of North Texas, Garland’s proposed professional and youth soccer complex is expected to foster a new level of excitement. Its multipurpose amenities would include the USL Dallas headquarters and practice fields, as well as community soccer fields, a public plaza and a 5,000 to 10,000 seat stadium. The City of Garland anticipates a 2027 opening, which will kick off USL Dallas’ inaugural season.
City Council is considering the future of this project at its Feb. 4, 2025, regular meeting. To livestream the Council meeting, visit GarlandTX.gov. And to stay connected with USL Dallas on the journey to its first game, visit USLDallas.com.
ABOUT CITY OF GARLAND
As the 13th most populous city in Texas, Garland is centralized and easily accessible to anywhere in the metroplex. It also boasts one of Texas’ most affordable housing markets, as well as a nationally acclaimed school district and a uniquely diverse culinary scene — from food trucks to fine dining to cuisines from around the world. With more than 63 parks and nature preserves, a revitalized Downtown Square, and live music, cultural festivals and special events happening all of the time, Garland is a one-of-a-kind destination to live, work and play. Additional amenities include Lake Ray Hubbard, Firewheel Town Center outdoor shopping mall, Granville Performing Arts Center, Hawaiian Waters waterpark, Lakewood Brewing Company and a PGA-caliber golf course.
ABOUT USL DALLAS
USL Dallas is a USL Championship club sanctioned as a men’s Division II professional team by the U.S. Soccer Federation. USL Dallas was co-founded by lifelong friends and soccer enthusiasts Matt Valentine and Sam Morton with a mission to build community through professional soccer. The organization is committed to making soccer a sport for everyone and to inspire the next generation of athletes and leaders.
ABOUT UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE
Founded in 1986, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in the United States, impacting more than 200 communities nationwide. The USL is the first and only organization to offer a comprehensive youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem. This structure includes three men’s leagues: the USL Championship (Division II), USL League One (Division III), and USL League Two (pre-professional). The women’s pathway includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024, and USL W League, the country’s leading pre-professional women’s league. The USL also oversees USL Academy, a progressive talent development platform, and USL Youth, a premier national youth competition. With multi-year national and international media rights agreements across various platforms including CBS Sports, ESPN and Peacock, the USL is the most widely accessible soccer league in the country.