Milwaukee Soccer Franchise Plans Unveiled For 'Iron District MKE'

MILWAUKEE, WI — A new United Soccer League franchise is headed to Milwaukee as plans move ahead for a new stadium development called "Iron District MKE."

The new franchise comes from a league considered the second-highest tier of professional soccer in the U.S., according to a news release from Kacmarcik Enterprises, Milwaukee Pro Soccer and the USL. The Iron District plans call for an 8,000-seat stadium with a franchise starting in 2025.

“This is an announcement we’ve been working towards behind the scenes for years, and I’m thrilled to bring high-level professional soccer to the city of Milwaukee,” said Jim Kacmarcik, Chairman and CEO of Kacmarcik Enterprises in the news release. The company owns the rights to the new USL franchise.

“Major cities have professional soccer clubs, and we’re proud to deliver that to Milwaukee – a premier sports city with a rich soccer culture that runs deep throughout our community," said Kacmarcik.

The USL league has 27 clubs across metropolitan areas such as Miami, San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and more. The Milwaukee Rampage was the last professional outdoor soccer franchise in the city, but it was dissolved in 2002.

“In discussions with the developers for Iron District MKE and representatives from Milwaukee Pro Soccer, it’s clear that this group’s progressive and ambitious plans can have a transformative impact on an area of our city that needs this kind of investment,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in the release.

Milwaukee Pro Soccer launched a campaign for people to name the new club and select the team's crest, colors and aesthetic.

The construction at the site is set to begin this fall with the demolition of the old Ramada Inn at 633 West Michigan Street. The development will also include a new 3,500-seat indoor concert venue from Pabst Theater Group, 140 residential units, dining, nightlife and more, the news release said.