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MLS’s Stadium Boom Is Changing the League Forever
Inter Miami has a new home. New York City FC is building its first true soccer-specific stadium. Chicago is spending $750 million on a new venue. Across MLS, clubs are no longer just building places to play — they are building long-term business assets.
This week, Michael and Asli break down why stadium ownership has become one of the biggest drivers of growth in American soccer.
Because this is not just about matchday anymore.
It is about naming rights, sponsorships, concerts, retail, restaurants, hotels and entertainment districts that create revenue all year round. When clubs own their own venue, they control the calendar, the fan experience and far more of the money.
That is why Inter Miami’s new stadium opening matters. It is why NYCFC’s Etihad Park project in Queens is such a big moment. And it is why Chicago Fire’s new stadium signals where the league is heading next.
Michael and Asli dig into what Michael calls “MLS 3.0” — a new era where soccer-specific stadiums are no longer a luxury. They are central to club value, fan culture and long-term growth.
The episode also looks at how these venues can become more than stadiums over time: cultural landmarks with shops, tours, traditions and year-round appeal far beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch.
Then the conversation shifts to 2026 World Cup ticket chaos.
Michael and Asli react to FIFA’s final ticket sales phase, the long wait times and the eye-watering prices fans are being asked to pay. As dynamic pricing pushes costs higher, they ask a bigger question: is the world’s most popular sport becoming an event only wealthier fans can afford?
---
For more, follow Asli and Michael on Instagram
Asli - @brefootcontessa
Michael - @michale.lore
And follow the show…
On Instagram - @financeoffootballpod
On Facebook - /financeoffootball
---
The Finance of Football, a Frequency Machine Podcast, is…
Written, Hosted, and Produced by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé
Editing and Sound Design by Ryan Hammond
Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski
Executive Produced by Ryan Hammond, Stacey Book and Avi Glijansky
---
Check out more of Frequency Machine’s podcasts - including Undercover Sports, a show about the wildest sports conspiracy theories, at frequencymachine.com
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
View all episodes
By Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé & Frequency MachineInter Miami has a new home. New York City FC is building its first true soccer-specific stadium. Chicago is spending $750 million on a new venue. Across MLS, clubs are no longer just building places to play — they are building long-term business assets.
This week, Michael and Asli break down why stadium ownership has become one of the biggest drivers of growth in American soccer.
Because this is not just about matchday anymore.
It is about naming rights, sponsorships, concerts, retail, restaurants, hotels and entertainment districts that create revenue all year round. When clubs own their own venue, they control the calendar, the fan experience and far more of the money.
That is why Inter Miami’s new stadium opening matters. It is why NYCFC’s Etihad Park project in Queens is such a big moment. And it is why Chicago Fire’s new stadium signals where the league is heading next.
Michael and Asli dig into what Michael calls “MLS 3.0” — a new era where soccer-specific stadiums are no longer a luxury. They are central to club value, fan culture and long-term growth.
The episode also looks at how these venues can become more than stadiums over time: cultural landmarks with shops, tours, traditions and year-round appeal far beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch.
Then the conversation shifts to 2026 World Cup ticket chaos.
Michael and Asli react to FIFA’s final ticket sales phase, the long wait times and the eye-watering prices fans are being asked to pay. As dynamic pricing pushes costs higher, they ask a bigger question: is the world’s most popular sport becoming an event only wealthier fans can afford?
---
For more, follow Asli and Michael on Instagram
Asli - @brefootcontessa
Michael - @michale.lore
And follow the show…
On Instagram - @financeoffootballpod
On Facebook - /financeoffootball
---
The Finance of Football, a Frequency Machine Podcast, is…
Written, Hosted, and Produced by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé
Editing and Sound Design by Ryan Hammond
Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski
Executive Produced by Ryan Hammond, Stacey Book and Avi Glijansky
---
Check out more of Frequency Machine’s podcasts - including Undercover Sports, a show about the wildest sports conspiracy theories, at frequencymachine.com
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.