D.C. United In Baltimore? Not Looking Great

Baltimore’s quest for a professional outdoor soccer home took a massive leap forward as D.C. United and city officials have been working on plans for a sprawling new soccer campus in the heart of the city—the ambitious project, spearheaded by D.C. United co-owner Jason Levien, endorsed by Mayor Brandon Scott, proposed a 12,000-seat soccer-specific stadium to be built at the site of the city-owned Carroll Park Golf Course in Pigtown. 

The proposed venue would serve as the home for a new MLS Next Pro team, an affiliate of the United, and a professional women’s team set to compete in the USL Super League. One of the most exciting elements of the project is the involvement of NBA legend and Baltimore native Carmelo Anthony, who is joining the ownership group to help lead the women’s team. Anthony’s homecoming as a sports investor adds significant star power and local pride to a project that aims to tap into the region’s deep-rooted soccer culture.  

Beyond the matches themselves, the plan calls for a world-class youth academy to be integrated into the 80-acre site. The vision includes a 40,000-square-foot facility equipped with classrooms, weight rooms, and training spaces designed to cultivate local talent from the ground up. 

Despite the high-profile nature of the proposal, the project failed to secure the necessary financial backing during the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session. While District 46 State Delegate Mark Edelson and District 40 Senator Antonio Hayes introduced legislation to authorize up to $216.6 million in bonds for site acquisition and construction, the effort stalled early in the legislative process.

Ultimately, the bills failed to advance out of committee in both the House and the Senate, leaving the stadium’s immediate funding future in uncertainty. The financial framework for the project involves a significant public-private partnership, with a total estimated cost exceeding $300 million. While D.C. United has pledged approximately $100 million toward the effort.

While the proposal has generated immense excitement among soccer enthusiasts, it has also sparked discussions regarding its impact on the historic Carroll Park Golf Course. Proponents highlight the potential for mixed-use development and the economic spark the stadium could bring to the Pigtown neighborhood. As the legislative process unfolds in Annapolis, fans are eager to see if this project will finally give Baltimore the professional outdoor soccer identity it has long craved, situating a modern stadium just a stone's throw from the Ravens' and Orioles' iconic homes.