FC Cincinnati planning for mid-May 2021 opener at West End Stadium

Updated West End Stadium renderings - THUMB - FC Cincinnati

Put mid-May on the calendars, FC Cincinnati supporters.


FC Cincinnati president Jeff Berding announced Thursday that their home opener is roughly three months away, as the club eyes a mid-May debut game at West End Stadium. They’ll also host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 1.


The 2021 MLS season is now slated to begin April 17, with the full schedule expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.


“Our new home is built by Cincinnati, for Cincinnati, and we can’t wait!” Berding said in a team release. “As soon as we receive our schedule from Major League Soccer we will share with the public and hope everyone can enjoy a match in our inaugural season in West End Stadium.” 

FC Cincinnati, entering their third season in MLS, have previously played their home matches at Nippert Stadium on the University of Cincinnati campus. The club spent 2016-18 in USL, then joined MLS in 2019 as an expansion side.


The club broke ground on West End Stadium in December 2018. The soccer-specific venue is expected to seat 26,000 fans, with the playing surface utilizing new turfgrass technology.