Scott Gerardo (left) and Jackie Gerardo (right) were excited to see players take the field at Sacramento Republic’s Fan Fest Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.Sarit Laschinsky/CapRadioNew season, big changes
This year’s Fan Fest came amid a series of big changes for Sacramento Republic.
The team played its first game under new head coach Neill Collins, who joined the “Indomitable Club” late last year after Sacramento parted ways with longtime coach Mark Briggs.
In November it was announced that Republic FC has a new majority owner–Wilton Rancheria, the first Tribe to hold majority ownership in a men’s professional sports franchise.
At the same time Sacramento unveiled plans to build a new $175 million stadium in the Downtown Railyards, which is expected to open in 2027. The new stadium is expected to accommodate 12,000 people, but could be expanded to over 20,000 seats should another opportunity to join MLS arise.
As part of the project, Wilton Rancheria will also develop infrastructure to support a 3,600 seat entertainment venue in the Railyard’s historic Central Shops for a projected total cost of $321 million.
“That will enhance the gameday experience for sure,” said Sacramento Republic’s Chief Revenue Officer Dustin Vicari.
“This is going to sit in the heartbeat of the Railyards, and when we attract up to 40 events a year, including concerts, having this district creates for a better experience.”
Vicari said plans also call for housing and commercial developments around the stadium, adding that Wilton Rancheria is “very active” in planning and designing the project.
Community feedback sought for Republic FC’s new home
With the stadium’s design still in its infancy, the team reached out to its fanbase last week via an online survey to help improve the visitor experience. This includes sharing opinions on parking, food and beverage pricing, seating options and other amenities not available at Heart Health Park.
“We had an overwhelming response this week,” Vicari said. “Really significant response that's going to help us greatly inform some of these key decisions.”
Vicari said over 500 people who completed the survey expressed interest in participating in follow-up focus groups.
“We're at this phase of planning right now where we can take that step and really continue to influence the design, because the design is not baked at this point,” he explained.
The fan survey will be available through the end of February.
Fans call for shade, voice excitement for Railyards stadium
Attendees at Fan Fest said they hoped the new stadium would have a roof canopy or other coverings to protect fans from the summer heat, which can often reach triple digits.
“Maybe like the stadiums they have in Europe,” said Fritz Lichnock, a Sacramento Republic fan since the team’s founding in 2014. “The pitch is still open but the stadiums are covered.”
Mark Rudkin (left) and Fritz Lichnock (right) attend Sacramento Republic’s annual Fan Fest at Heart Health Park Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.Chris Felts/CapRadioNava said attending summer games at Cal Expo means braving the heat, and she hopes the new facility will have more shade.
“Once the sun comes down it's not too bad,” she said, “but if you're in one of the seats that is not shaded yet… you have to wait it out.”
During Sacramento Republic’s original bid to join Major League Soccer, stadium plans approved by the city council included a covered roof. But over five years later designs have changed, and the latest renderings show open rows of seats.
A new rendering of Sacramento Republic FC’s proposed stadium in the Downtown Railyards.Courtesy of Sacramento Republic FC
“We're trying to develop and design a stadium that meets our current needs for both capacity and for the league we currently play in,” Vicari said, adding that most team games are played in the evening.
“It's a very difficult economic decision to make, whether to add a roof, not add a roof,” he said. “When you weigh that against the reality of our games [being] at night, we think we’re going to move forward with the design that fits our current needs the most.”
Aside from more sun protection, Fan Fest visitors said other aspects of the new stadium project also appealed to them.
Lichnock said the stadium’s location will be much more accessible for those using public transit.
“[The] light rail is supposed to go right by it,” he explained. “We just have to park somewhere, catch the light rail in."
Gerardo said he hopes to watch the first match played in the Railyards. He described the new facility as a symbol of the team’s growth, and a permanent home for Sacramento Republic.
“It’s going to be just for us,” Gerardo said. “It’s not going to be a rented place, or secondhand. It’s going to be built directly for soccer.”
Mixed opinions on pursuing MLS, top-flight soccer again
Sacramento Republic’s Major League Soccer ambitions date back to 2015. Team and city officials announced plans for the first Downtown Railyards stadium in 2019, and months later MLS announced Sacramento as its newest expansion franchise.
The team was supposed to make its debut in 2022, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the team’s start date. Lead investor Ron Burkle backed out in 2021, putting an end to the team’s top-flight bid.
Sacramento Republic midfielder Michelle Benítez takes a corner kick during a preseason friendly against Ventura County FC at Heart Health Park Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.Chris Felts/CapRadio
At Fan Fest, visitors differed on whether Sacramento should pursue another bid for MLS or an equivalent like the recently-announced USL Division One league, scheduled to start in 2027-28.
Nava said she was hopeful Republic FC will play at soccer’s highest level in the future. “That would be awesome to see,” she said.
Lichnock does not want to see the “Indomitable Club” try and join MLS again.
“They’ve been hanging that carrot in front of us for how many years now?,” Lichnock said. “I disagree with the ‘buying into it.’ You spend a lot of money, you join into that, and that’s it.”
Gerardo said while playing in MLS would result in more opportunities for Republic FC, he is not a fan of the way the league operates.
“It’s a closed league… I’d prefer relegation and promotion standards,” he explained, “but it definitely means more eyes on Sacramento.”
Vicari declined to comment on whether Republic FC was looking to join the new USL league. As for MLS, he said the team is focused on getting the Railyards project done first.
“If and when an investment group comes along… and if and when Major League Soccer comes around to say to Sacramento, ‘hey, we’re ready for you again,’ we’ll evaluate all those decisions again,” Vicari said.
Sacramento Republic will play the opening match of its 2025 season March 8 at Heart Health Park against New Mexico United.
