New England Revolution's proposed soccer-specific stadium is 'expected to be approved by Massachusetts senate' after 28 years of sharing home with owner Robert Kraft's Patriots
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The Massachusetts state senate is expected to pass a proposal on Thursday that would enable the MLS' New England Revolution to build a soccer-specific stadium on the banks of the Mystic River in Everett – a small town north of Boston.
The Boston Globe's Matt Stout was the first to report the development on Monday.
The Kraft Group, which controls the Revolution and is headed by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, revealed renderings of the facility in April.
The project has an estimated cost of $500 million, and would offer soccer fans a much closer viewing experience than they currently get at Gillette Stadium – the arena the Revolution has shared with the Patriots since 1996.
Part of the attraction, according to club officials, is the presence of various immigrant populations throughout eastern Massachusetts, who team officials believe will rally around the team.
The Kraft Group released early renderings in April, although these are not finalized
There is some talk that the stadium could offer some water transit options for commuters
The Mystic River in Everett has traditionally been home to various industries
'These urban soccer stadiums have done really well, and have been big community assets,' Revs president Brian Bilello said in April. 'There's no doubt if we were able to build this project, it would sell out.'
The proposed site does offer plenty in the way of transportation, including a stop on Boston's Orange Line less than a mile away. Other possibilities include extensions for the Silver Line or commuter rails.
There is also talk of adding various water transit options along the Mystic River, which is a large estuary that ultimately flows into the Charles River.
Although perhaps best known for the film by the same name, the Mystic River has traditionally been home to various industries, which have contaminated the waterway.
The Revolution currently sit in 12th place in the MLS' Eastern Conference at 7-1-12.
The club had the best regular season record in 2021, and currently ranks sixth in attendance.
Gillette Stadium is currently scheduled to host seven World Cup matches in 2026.
