Albany makes a pitch for MLS NEXT Pro; new soccer stadium downtown

ALBANY, N.Y. — Business for Good Co-Founders Ed and Lisa Mitzen announced their intent to bring Major League Soccer (MLS) NEXT Pro to Albany along with a group of investors, including real estate developers Jeff Buell and Chris Spraragen, and professional soccer coach Steve Freeman.

“We are incredibly excited about the possibilities with MLS NEXT Pro. Soccer popularity is exploding in the U.S., and with the World Cup coming to the U.S. in 2026, the time has never been brighter to make this a reality,” Ed Mitzen said. “The MLS NEXT Pro project will serve as a catalyst for the reinvention of Albany and will be a big part of our efforts to invest in the community in a meaningful way. It’s everything that Albany needs.”

“We are focused on bringing an MLS NEXT Pro team to Albany. We are hopeful that the state and affiliate organizations will work to support the new development and stadium and the surrounding community infrastructure. The Mitzens are the ideal local leaders to drive this transformational project,” Charles Altchek, president of MLS NEXT Pro and executive vice president, of MLS, remarked.

The local group will seek permission from Capitalize Albany to redevelop Liberty Park — currently a sea of underutilized parking lots — in a manner befitting of the Capital of New York State. In addition to the use of the land, the group will also seek the support of the State in financing the development. The expected cost will likely reach $300 million.

“This is true economic development,” Buell, who has led more than $200 million in development in the last five years near the site, noted. “Albany has reached an inflection point. We must make dramatic investments that improve our livability. This is a massive urban development of which the stadium is just one-quarter of the total cost. It also includes huge green spaces, hundreds of mixed-income housing units, new hotel rooms, parking facilities, and more. It is of the proper scale for the neighborhood and will prove long term to be a turning point for Albany.”

The stadium would be built in the heart of downtown with mixed-use intentionality.

Featuring 8,000 seats and modeled after similarly sized markets, the capacity can balloon to 12,000 for non-sporting events.

“More than the money and jobs, Albany needs a morale boost,” Mitzen added. “The new MLS team could re-energize a revival of the entire area and bring back a sense of excitement and pride that the region has been desperately needing.”