Finley Stadium - Chattanooga FC

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86

Finley Stadium 1826 Reggie White Blvd Chattanooga, TN 37402

Chattanooga FC website Finley Stadium website

Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 20, 421

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This is Home

Semi-professional soccer first arrived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1992 with the Chattanooga Railroaders, later renamed the Express. The team played in the United States Interregional Soccer League, but it wasn’t until 2009 that Chattanooga FC (CFC) debuted in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Chattanooga finished third in the Southeast Division that year, then won the division eight times over the next ten years. During their 11-season NPSL run, CFC reached the national championship four times and captured the Hank Steinbrecher Cup in 2015.

In 2020 Chattanooga FC moved up to the third tier of American soccer by joining the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) – during their five seasons in the NISA Chattanooga established themselves as a consistent contender in the league, topping the table three times. Another major shift came in 2024 when “The Boys in Blue” joined MLS NEXT Pro, a developmental league affiliated with Major League Soccer (MLS).

Since their founding, Chattanooga FC has called Finley Stadium home. Nicknamed Fort Finley by its supporters, Finley Stadium also hosts the club’s women’s team, as well as serves as the fall home of University of Tennessee-Chattanooga football.

Food & Beverage   4

A collection of concession stalls lines the exterior walls of the south concourse. Concession options are solid; fans can enjoy Mac’s various styles of Philly steaks, chicken sandwiches, burgers, sausages, or veggie subs, while Chestnut Bakes offers more traditional stadium foods, such as pizza, popcorn, pretzels, and candy. In addition, The Max sticks to traditional burgers and hot dogs, and Moe’s Southwest Grill brings a limited menu of tacos, burritos, and bowls. Lastly, Fort Finley Market offers more of a grab-and-go, convenience store-like setup, but other than a food truck, local flavors do seem to be somewhat limited here.

Access to the Ultra Lounge does offer premium food and drink options in the comfort of a climate-controlled area, along with a large television that shows a live feed of the game, since the lounge doesn’t have a view of the pitch.

Drink options at Finley Stadium are extensive; in addition to domestic beer, Fort Finley Market stocks craft selections like Hi-Wire’s Mosaic IPA, Mountucky Cold Snacks Lager, and Wiseacre’s Tiny Bomb Pilsner. Canned cocktails, seltzers, margaritas, and Jack Daniels premixed cocktails are also available, and the stadium proudly serves Chattahooligan Kölsch, named for the club’s supporters. Non-alcoholic options include fresh squeezed lemonade, Powerade, and Coca-Cola products.

Atmosphere   3

Finley Stadium has a split-seating design with individual seating structures on both sidelines. For Chattanooga FC matches, however, typically only the south stands are used. The west end includes a plaza area, while the east end has a grassy berm popular with younger fans.

Chattanooga FC has done as good of a job as they can to brand the stadium as their own, with signage, crest-emblazoned padding, and kiosks promoting both the men’s and women’s clubs. UT-Chattanooga branding is minimal on match days. The stadium has two scoreboards, one for basic time and score information and a larger one with a live match feed. What does seem to be missing though is any type of match stats: shots, saves, corners earned, and fouls.

When looking for ideal seats, there is little in the way of a bad location. The Midfield Club is made up of three sections of individual chairback seats in the upper tier of the stands, with a lone section of field level chairbacks. The rest of the stadium is comprised of aluminum bleacher seating.

The nature of soccer does not create a lot of downtime during the match that needs to be filled with games, contests, or other fan interaction pieces. There are a handful of ad reads throughout, but nothing that distracts from the game.

Neighborhood   5

Finley Stadium is in the southern reaches of downtown Chattanooga in the West Village neighborhood. The neighborhood that directly surrounds the stadium is in the process of an ongoing renaissance, while the area that sits along the Tennessee River was once more an industrial area with warehouses and foundries, much of which has been transformed into the First Horizon Pavilion of the Chattanooga City Market, as well as the neighboring Naked River Brewing Company. To the east is Southside Social, an “eat, drink, play” establishment with bowling and over half a dozen other games.

Downtown Chattanooga is less than five minutes away and is often regarded as one of the top small cities in the United States. Attractions include the Tennessee Riverwalk, Tennessee Aquarium, Coolidge Park, and its historic carousel. Dining ranges from upscale restaurants to gems like Main Street Meats, a butcher shop and restaurant combo; North Shore is another hotspot for niche eateries and coffee shops.

Chattanooga has as a wide variety of museums, including the International Towing and Recovery Museum, Hunter Museum of American Art, and Classic Arcade Pinball Museum of Chattanooga. The city is also rich in historical and cultural points of significance, with landmarks tied to key Civil War battles and the starting point of the Trail of Tears at Ross’ Landing, located just downhill from the soon-to-be-retired home of the Chattanooga Lookouts minor league baseball team, AT&T Field. Just a short walk from Finley Stadium, the Hotel Chalet is on the grounds of the famed Chattanooga Choo Choo, while those a bit more attracted to outdoor adventures might want to check out Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain, and Point Park, all offering stunning views of the city.

In coming years the Chattanooga Lookouts’ South Broad District will be less than a mile away, just on the other side of I-24. Not only will this bring another high-profile piece of Chattanooga professional sports to the neighborhood, but along with it will come several shopping and restaurant options – this will greatly complement the extensive entertainment choices that downtown Chattanooga already has to offer.

Fans   4

Chattanooga FC’s supporter group, the Chattahooligans, does an outstanding job creating an energetic and memorable match day atmosphere. Even when weather affects attendance, their passion never wavers; they invite fans to join them in Section 109 to chant, sing, and dance throughout the match. Even those who remain in their seats often follow the Chattahooligans’ lead, rising to their feet for the final minute and during stoppage time in each half.

While the Chattahooligans play a central role in setting the tone, the broader fan base deserves recognition as well. In 2024 Chattanooga FC averaged nearly 3,700 fans per match, and their 2025 Open Cup derby against crosstown rival Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL 1 drew a crowd of more than 12,000.

Access   4

Finley Stadium is conveniently located just off I-24 that runs south of downtown. The largest concentration of parking is on the north side of the stadium, with another lot adjacent to neighboring Chattanooga Market.

Chattanooga also has a city-wide bike share program with a bike rack just outside the stadium’s north side, which definitely can be useful for locals or those staying nearby.

There are two main entrances, one on 19th Street and a second on Reggie White Boulevard. Three gates on 19th Street help manage crowds efficiently, while the Reggie White Boulevard entrance is often less crowded and quicker to get through.

Inside, navigation takes a bit of getting used to. The walkway between the upper and lower sections does not connect directly to the concourse that encircles the pitch, so fans must go back under the stands to move between areas – it is not difficult but can be a touch inconvenient.

In general, getting to and around Finley Stadium is manageable, but it does take just a bit of patience (as well as going against conventional wisdom) here and there.

Return on Investment   4

There are several different ticket options at Finley Stadium; prices start at $11 to sit on the grassy berm and $15 in the supporters section. A service fee is applied for each ticket purchased, and tax is also added on. Tickets are well priced and fees seem reasonable, but can start to add up when purchasing multiple tickets. Seats in the most comfortable areas of the stadium do seem a touch expensive , but there certainly are seats that come with great value.

Parking runs $15, which does seem a touch high, but not necessarily outrageously so. Concessions are well priced and not subject to super-inflated stadium prices.

Extras   3

It can be difficult for a team that shares a facility with a college football program to establish a home field feel, but Chattanooga FC does their best with the Chattanooga Football Club Hall of Legends. Enshrined are former gaffer Bill Elliott, defender Thomas Clark, and forward Zeca Ferraz.

Outside the stadium, kiosk displays allow fans to access information on both the men’s and women’s clubs.

Chattanooga FC is in the final stages of completing their headquarters, which will be within walking distance of Finley Stadium – the headquarters facility will feature office space for the club’s staff and coaches, apartments for the players, a training facility, retail space, a restaurant, and a rooftop bar. This development should go a long way in solidifying the soccer atmosphere of the neighborhood.

Final Thoughts

It can be challenging to transform a large football stadium into an intimate environment for soccer, especially at the lower tiers of the American soccer pyramid. Despite this, Chattanooga FC goes above and beyond to provide a high-quality professional sporting experience. Much of the credit for creating this memorable atmosphere belongs to the Chattahooligans and the nonstop passion they bring throughout the match. All in all, it would be hard to be disappointed by an evening spent with Chattanooga’s longest-established soccer club.