Soccer in Nashville

[PaulChinetti]

10 minutes ago, BnaBreaker said:

I watched the game over the weekend, and holy cow, that place was rocking.  Easily the loudest crowd I've ever heard watching an MLS game.  The crowd was quite raucous, but I'm sure the design of the stadium had something to do with it as well.  What a phenomenal home field advantage SC is going to have!  

I drove by during the game and I was impressed with how quiet it was OUTSIDE the stadium. You could barely tell that a game was happening. I'm sure it's much louder when there is a goal scored. 

It'll be interesting how loud concerts are when they happen. 

As a side note whatever was going on atmospherically Sunday night, we could hear Jack White rocking out from Ascend pretty clearly, which we normally can't hear at all. 

[nashvylle]

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/it-s-unbelievable-nashville-sc-left-buzzing-over-geodis-park-atmosphere-in-stadi

 

[markhollin]

FIFA delays announcement on North American host cities for 2026 World Cup until late May or possibly even mid-June. there are currently 16 markets competing for 10 U.S. host city slots. 

More at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2022/05/09/world-cup-host-city-announcement-delayed.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_34&cx_artPos=0#cxrecs_s

[markhollin]

Q&A with some of the construction teams involved with GEODIS Park at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2022/05/12/qa-soccer-stadium-contractors.html

[Bos2Nash]

On 5/10/2022 at 5:36 AM, markhollin said:

FIFA delays announcement on North American host cities for 2026 World Cup until late May or possibly even mid-June. there are currently 16 markets competing for 10 U.S. host city slots. 

More at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2022/05/09/world-cup-host-city-announcement-delayed.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_34&cx_artPos=0#cxrecs_s

We should expect an announcement of stadiums on June 16th from New York

https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/4670737/world-cup-2026-host-venues-to-be-revealed-by-fifa-on-june-16

Quote

The remaining areas and stadiums:

UNITED STATES

Arlington, Texas, AT&T Stadium; Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Baltimore, M&T Bank Stadium; Cincinnati, Paul Brown Stadium; Denver, Empower Field at Mile High; East Rutherford, New Jersey, MetLife Stadium; Foxborough, Massachusetts, Gillette Stadium; Houston, NRG Stadium; Inglewood, California, SoFi Stadium; Kansas City, Missouri, Arrowhead Stadium; Miami Gardens, Florida, Hard Rock Stadium; Nashville, Tennessee, Nissan Stadium; Orlando, Florida, Camping World Stadium; Pasadena, California, Rose Bowl; Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Field; Santa Clara, California, Levi's Stadium; Seattle, Lumen Field.

CANADA

Edmonton, Alberta, Commonwealth Stadium; Toronto, BMO Field; Vancouver, B.C. Place.

MEXICO

Guadalajara, Estadio Akron; Mexico City, Estadio Azteca; Monterrey, Estadio BBVA.

 

[markhollin]

In regards to Nashville's bid to FIFA to be a World Cup host city in 2026:

Nashville has tapped five of its most esteemed business leaders to direct the city’s local organizing committee, headlined by John Ingram. Ingram, owner of the Nashville Soccer Club, who would serve as chairman of the committee. Ingram also is chairman of the board at Ingram Industries Inc. and chairman of Ingram Content Group LLC.

Co-chairs of the local organizing committee include: Ian Ayre, CEO, Nashville Soccer Club, who will chair training sites and international relations/logistics; Burke Nihill, president and CEO, Tennessee Titans, who will chair the stadium committee; Colin Reed, chairman and CEO, Ryman Hospitality Properties, who will oversee fundraising; and Butch Spyridon, president and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, who will chair the host city committee.

More at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2022/05/22/fifa-world-cup-host-cities-nashville-2026.html

[titanhog]

5 hours ago, markhollin said:

In regards to Nashville's bid to FIFA to be a World Cup host city in 2026:

Nashville has tapped five of its most esteemed business leaders to direct the city’s local organizing committee, headlined by John Ingram. Ingram, owner of the Nashville Soccer Club, who would serve as chairman of the committee. Ingram also is chairman of the board at Ingram Industries Inc. and chairman of Ingram Content Group LLC.

Co-chairs of the local organizing committee include: Ian Ayre, CEO, Nashville Soccer Club, who will chair training sites and international relations/logistics; Burke Nihill, president and CEO, Tennessee Titans, who will chair the stadium committee; Colin Reed, chairman and CEO, Ryman Hospitality Properties, who will oversee fundraising; and Butch Spyridon, president and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, who will chair the host city committee.

More at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2022/05/22/fifa-world-cup-host-cities-nashville-2026.html

Mark…do you think the potential new stadium helps us?  I guess there’s no guarantee it will be done by then…but that has to at least spark some interest from the committee…right?

Edited May 23, 2022 by titanhog

[markhollin]

25 minutes ago, titanhog said:

Mark…do you think the potential new stadium helps us?  I guess there’s no guarantee it will be done by then…but that has to at least spark some interest from the committee…right?

I would certainly think so.  Plus, until the new stadium is complete, Nissan will remain standing...so there is always the fall back position.

[nashville born]

 

[Bos2Nash]

21 hours ago, titanhog said:

Mark…do you think the potential new stadium helps us?  I guess there’s no guarantee it will be done by then…but that has to at least spark some interest from the committee…right?

21 hours ago, markhollin said:

I would certainly think so.  Plus, until the new stadium is complete, Nissan will remain standing...so there is always the fall back position.

Interesting article (from September 2021) about how Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta is talking about a conversion to natural grass surface, but only temporarily because natural grass in the retractable roofed stadium is not feasible. 

https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-united/mercedes-benz-stadium-faces-challenge-of-natural-grass-for-world-cup/OH6XT5RCLNFB5N5QF3C6R3JT6I/ (Open the article in Chrome's "Incognito Mode" to read)

Here are some tidbits:

"Early in the design phase of what became Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Falcons executives hoped to have a natural-grass playing surface under the retractable roof. But an extensive “sun study” determined that was not an option. “What we found was … it is impossible to have natural grass in the building because the building is so tall we don’t get enough light on the field to grow the grass,” Bill Johnson, the stadium’s lead architect, said in October 2013."

"Because FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, has a firm requirement that any stadium hosting the 2026 World Cup must have a natural-grass playing surface, Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s artificial turf would have to be temporarily replaced with real grass, which would have to be kept thriving for more than a month."

"Eleven of the 23 North American stadiums under consideration as sites for the 2026 World Cup have artificial turf, according to a FIFA bid evaluation report. All 11 have accepted that they’ll have to convert to grass if they’re among the 16 stadiums chosen for games."

"“There is lots of technology that exists these days,” Smith added. “We just need to get it right. And we have experts on our side, and we are working with multiple third-party companies and consultants as well. Obviously, we will share all that knowledge with Atlanta in terms of coming up with the best plan forward. That’s not a concern. Technology is there. Capability is there. It just needs the proper planning, care and timeline and to do it properly.”"

"Two NFL teams, the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders, have gone to extraordinary lengths to play on natural grass in retractable-roof and fixed-roof stadiums, respectively. The Cardinals’ rollout grass field is contained in a 40-inch-deep tray that is rolled outside the stadium on 546 steel wheels resting on 13 railroad-like tracks to get sunlight on non-game days. Similarly, the Raiders’ new stadium features a sliding field tray containing a natural-grass playing surface, which is rolled outside, powered by 72 motors, into the sunlight on non-game days." – This should not be an option for the new stadium as the plan is to develop around the stadium and this type of technology will take up too much valuable real estate.

[nashvylle]

44 minutes ago, Bos2Nash said:

This should not be an option for the new stadium as the plan is to develop around the stadium and this type of technology will take up too much valuable real estate.

I wonder if the Titans then would want to have the retractable roof and close it only for inclement weather and major events? 

[Bos2Nash]

42 minutes ago, nashvylle said:

I wonder if the Titans then would want to have the retractable roof and close it only for inclement weather and major events? 

I would presume this would be primary goal anyways. It sounds like no matter what though, a natural grass surface will be out of the question. If the stadium is done in time for the World Cup, Metro will most likely be on the hook for putting in a temporary natural grass surface for the month or so that is required to host games. Sounds like a pricy add-on to the stadium.

[Titans10]

FIFA World Cup decision day, are we in or out? Anyone heard anything?

[Sean blackdog]

1 hour ago, Titans10 said:

FIFA World Cup decision day, are we in or out? Anyone heard anything?

Stand by. 
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/nashville-will-learn-thursday-if-its-going-to-be-a-2026-fifa-world-cup-host-city?_amp=true

 

The American finalist venues include:

1. Arlington, Texas, AT&T Stadium
2. Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium 
3. Baltimore, M&T Bank Stadium
4. Cincinnati, Paul Brown Stadium
5. Denver, Empower Field at Mile High
6. East Rutherford, New Jersey, MetLife Stadium 
7. Foxborough, Massachusetts, Gillette Stadium
8. Houston, NRG Stadium
9. Inglewood, California, SoFi Stadium
10. Kansas City, Missouri, Arrowhead Stadium 
11. Miami Gardens, Florida, Hard Rock Stadium 
12. Nashvillee, Tennessee, Nissan Stadium
13. Orlando, Florida, Camping World Stadium
14. Pasadena, California, Rose Bowl
15. Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Field
16. Santa Clara, California, Levi's Stadium
17. Seattle, Lumen Field

Edited June 16, 2022 by Sean blackdog

[smeagolsfree]

I think it is at 4PM Central.

[Bos2Nash]

4pm, yes.

https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/live/event/2AW2CiSKzCAFEDQLnfFm51jm4u3

[titanhog]

Predictions from the Philadelphia Inquirer:

https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/2026-world-cup-possible-host-cities-20220615.html

Nashville

Venue: Nissan Stadium (69,143)

What to know: That’s the venue as of now. Will it be in 2026? The Titans’ recent move to build a new stadium soon has nearly torpedoed a bid that FIFA officials really liked when they visited. Titans officials told FIFA the new place should be ready by 2026, but you can’t tell FIFA should be.

Will it win? Not if FIFA sticks with 10 cities, or even 11.

[Bos2Nash]

4 hours ago, Bos2Nash said:

4pm, yes.

https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/live/event/2AW2CiSKzCAFEDQLnfFm51jm4u3

Host cities have been announced.

Western Region:

• Vancouver, BC
• Seattle, WA
• San Francisco, CA
• Los Angeles, CA (SoFi Stadium)
• Guadalajara, MX

Central Region:

• Kansas City, MO
• Dallas, TX
• Atlanta, GA
• Houston, TX
• Monterrey, MX
• Mexico City, MX

Eastern Region:

• Toronto, OT
• Boston, MA (hometown pride)
• Philadelphia, PA
• Miami, FL
• New York, NJ (MetLife Stadium)

[BnaBreaker]

Man I'm nervous... just seeing Nashville up there with all of those other cities gave me chills and made me so proud... regardless of whether or not we get it, what an honor it is just to be in this group!

EDIT: We did not get it.  

Edited June 16, 2022 by BnaBreaker

[MLBrumby]

I think KC got Nashville's slot. 

[henburg]

We seemingly did not get it, Central region was just announced and Nashville was not among them. Winners included-

Kansas City

Atlanta

Dallas

Houston

Monterrey

Mexico City

[Binbin98]

4 minutes ago, MLBrumby said:

I think KC got Nashville's slot. 

Deserved because they had an actual soccer stadium. This is a clear message to Nashville that you cannot as a city rely on your reputation alone to land events, you have to prepare for them as well.

[WebberThomas4]

That was painful to watch.

[Rick Dalton]

But they’ll go to Gillette stadium?? Middle of nowhere

[MLBrumby]

2 minutes ago, Binbin98 said:

Deserved because they had an actual soccer stadium. This is a clear message to Nashville that you cannot as a city rely on your reputation alone to land events, you have to prepare for them as well.

Good point!  For maybe the first time, Nashville was in the 'ether'... and they need to learn there are different rules.  It's a step UP!