CHI Memorial Stadium - Chattanooga Red Wolves

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86

CHI Memorial Stadium 1 Stadium Way East Ridge, TN 37412

Chattanooga Red Wolves website CHI Memorial Stadium website

Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 5,500

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Defend the Den

Chattanooga joined USL League One (USL1) at the start of the 2019 season with the debut of the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, the city’s second professional soccer team after Chattanooga FC, now a member of MLS Next Pro.

In their inaugural season, the Red Wolves played at David Stanton Field on the campus of Chattanooga Christian School, on the city’s south-side. That same year plans were announced to build their own new stadium and surrounding development in East Ridge, Tennessee, just outside Chattanooga. After delays created by Covid-19, CHI Memorial Stadium opened in August 2020.

The venue now serves as the home of the Red Wolves men’s team, their USL W League women’s side, and will also host a USL Super League team, part of a new tier-one women’s league launching in the coming seasons.

Food & Beverage   3

Food and drink options are clustered near the stadium entrance. There is space for several food trucks, but during my most recent visit, only one was present, resulting in long lines. Available food is of high quality with apparent variety, but it seems as if the consistency of the options is hit-or-miss. A popular stop is Pelican’s Snoballs, which has a “create your own flavor” setup.

For those looking to grab a drink, there are several beer and cocktail stations around the stadium. The two-level Howl Bar in the northeast corner primarily serves from its upper level, and a beer trailer with multiple taps is also set up in the main plaza. Beer selections include Corona, Outlaw Light, Five Wits, Pacifico, Modelo, Blue Moon, and Miller Lite. Cutwater canned cocktails and White Claw seltzers are also available. A separate stand under the seating area offers mixed cocktails.

In all, the food and drink options at CHI Memorial Stadium are fine, but it seems an inconsistency in the food truck turnout negatively impacts the eating experience.

Atmosphere   3

CHI Memorial Stadium offers a mix of seating: traditional reserved seating along the near side touchline and general admission bleachers at the north end, along with a safe standing section in the supporters' area and a grassy berm at the south end. There is also a smaller section of seats across the field, but access there does seem to be restricted. One of the more interesting viewing spots is the field-level drink rail, which allows fans to get close to the action.

The stadium has one large scoreboard at the south end of the field that predominately shows a feed of the game, but also has a bar across the top of the screen with match time, score, and shots for each team. The stadium itself is a beautiful place to watch a game, though it does have the feel of a venue where they just put up fencing around an open lot.

Neighborhood   3

Located just outside Chattanooga in East Ridge, Tennessee, CHI Memorial Stadium sits beside I-75 just over the Tennessee-Georgia state line. The site was once forested, but in 2019 a $125 million mixed-use development was proposed, which was to include townhomes, apartments, retail space, and a hotel, with the soccer stadium as the center piece of the development. To date though, only a cluster of townhomes has been completed; the rest remains a gravel lot with minimal evidence of further progress beyond earthmovers parked nearby.

Across I-75 is Camp Jordan, one-time farm land that has been converted to a multi-sport complex with baseball, softball, and soccer fields, as well as beach volleyball courts, a fishing pond, disc golf course, kayak launches, and a multi-purpose arena that is used for many civic events. The surrounding area has begun to develop with the addition of restaurants, hotels, Topgolf, and Bass Pro Shops.

The drawback of the location is its distance from downtown – downtown Chattanooga is just under 10 miles away. While still accessible, it is not the most convenient for visitors seeking a broader urban experience just steps from the stadium.

Fans   3

Attendance numbers may be modest, but Red Wolves fans are loyal and welcoming and quick to compliment the opposing side following the mach. The supporters’ group, while smaller and more subdued than most, brings flags, drums, and smoke bombs to celebrate goals and wins. Whereas some supporter groups can really create a special air in the stadium, the Red Wolves supporters are not able to set that same tone, mostly due to their smaller size.

Access   3

The stadium sits directly off I-75 near the I-24 split. This area can experience heavy traffic, especially near the Ringgold Road exit. GPS often routes drivers to Spring Creek Road, a less direct access point at the rear of the property. However, North Mack Smith Road, although it seems uninviting, is the most straightforward approach.

There is a single entrance to CHI Memorial Stadium near the ticket office, leading to a central plaza flanked by food and merchandise areas. A concrete walkway runs behind the main seating area and continues around to restrooms and the grassy berm on the far side of the field. While most pathways are spacious, the walkway atop the touchline seating can become congested with even light foot traffic. The aluminum walkways can also get slick if wet.

Return on Investment   3

Parking costs $13, while tickets range from $14 (supporters’ section) to $21 (general admission). With little difference between seating areas, the supporters’ section offers the best value. Overall, it is an affordable outing, especially for families or casual fans.

Extras   2

Red Wolves mascot Rusty, makes brief appearances before matches and at halftime, but is not a central part of the game-day experience.

Postgame, players often stay for 15 to 20 minutes to thank fans, sign autographs, and take photos. This is a small touch that strengthens the club’s community connection.

Final Thoughts

The arrival of the Red Wolves introduced new professional soccer energy to Chattanooga, but also sparked some rivalry with the established Chattanooga FC. The Red Wolves provide an entertaining on-field product backed by a loyal and hospitable fan base. However, future growth and sustained success may depend on whether Chattanooga can support two professional soccer teams, and if the progress of the long-promised surrounding development finally materializes, elevating the stadium experience from solid to standout.