Morrison Stadium - Union Omaha
- James Clotfelter
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Morrison Stadium 1804 California St Omaha, NE 68102
Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 6,000
More Than a Baseball Town
Unless you are a true USL League One sicko, soccer is most certainly not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Omaha. You are much more likely to associate the city with the College World Series, the Old Market District, or, if you are like me, Union Pacific and train infrastructure. But if you give it a chance, you'll find a successful soccer club nestled in a surprisingly vibrant city.
Union Omaha has built a strong following despite its relatively short history. The club spent the past few years playing in Papillion at Werner Park, home of the MiLB's Omaha Storm Chasers, and now temporarily resides at Morrison Stadium on the campus of Creighton University while its permanent home is being built in downtown Omaha. While Morrison Stadium is clearly a temporary venue for the club, it still offers a quality experience and serves as a home for soccer culture in the Midwest.
Food & Beverage 3
One of the few aspects that reminds you this is a temporary home is the food and beverage selection, which is not much to write home about. There are two concession windows along the main stand offering stadium basics such as Coca-Cola products, snacks, pretzels, pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and more. Prices are reasonable, the quality is average, and if all you want is a drink, there are card-operated vending machines scattered throughout the concourse for grab-and-go options.
What does stand out is the drink selection, which is heavily supported by local craft beer offerings. Multiple Union Omaha-themed craft beers are available alongside domestic beers and seltzers at drink kiosks located in the corners of the main concourse. A special shout-out goes to the Union Omaha Vienna Lager and Fairy Nectar Hazy, both produced by local breweries.
Atmosphere 3
A common concern with temporary stadiums is the atmosphere, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the experience. First, Creighton has a beautiful campus to walk through before reaching the stadium, and Morrison Stadium's exterior blends seamlessly with the rest of campus.
There is one main stand along the west sideline with a concourse overlooking the field. This is where you'll most likely enter the stadium and find the concession stands, merchandise tent, restrooms, and championship banners commemorating the success of Creighton soccer. Below the concourse sits the main seating bowl, featuring blue chairback seats on the lower level and a second deck consisting of premium seating. The south end houses the supporters' section, the north end contains group seating with oversized plastic beach chairs, and the east side features general admission with tiered grass seating. If you don't mind sitting without a chairback, I recommend general admission, as it offers the same sightlines at a lower price.
During the match, the stadium filled in well, especially considering this is a temporary home for a third-division soccer club. The atmosphere is relaxed. There are chants throughout the match, but most people are there for a fun night out while casually supporting the local team. It feels like many of the attendees are regulars, with fans spending the pre-match catching up with one another while kids find a patch of grass behind the concourse to play pickup soccer. While it is not the most intense environment, the crowd clearly cares about the success of its team, and the soccer never takes a backseat to the communal atmosphere.
Neighborhood 4
This was my first visit to Omaha, and it quickly became one of my favorite mid-sized cities. Morrison Stadium sits on Creighton's beautiful downtown campus, less than a mile west of the Capitol District, home to Charles Schwab Field, CHI Health Center, and the famous Matt Bar & Grill.
Roughly the same distance to the south brings you into downtown and the historic Old Market District, characterized by brick-lined streets, quirky shops, dessert stores, restaurants, and breweries. While you're there, I recommend Brickway Brewery & Distillery for a drink and Chic Bao Bao for some fried rice.
It is also worth visiting the Durham Museum. Housed in Omaha's original Union Station, it serves as both a railroad museum and a museum highlighting Omaha's history. On Tuesdays, admission is only $5, making it one of the city's best values. Omaha is an extremely walkable city, so honestly, the best thing you can do is explore it for yourself because it has much more to offer than first meets the eye.
Fans 3
The fans at Morrison Stadium are about what you would expect for lower-division soccer. Attendance ranks around the middle of USL League One, and considering the club is still waiting for its permanent home, there is nothing to hang their heads about.
While not particularly vocal, the fans are knowledgeable about their players and attentive to the action on the pitch. Many locals spend pregame and halftime catching up with friends around the stadium, giving the fanbase a very communal feel. As the team settles into its new stadium, attendance numbers should only continue to grow.
Access 4
Morrison Stadium is located on the campus of Creighton University in Omaha's Capitol District and is within walking distance of many downtown attractions, including the Old Market District.
If you're driving, there are several paid lots surrounding the stadium, and regardless of which direction you approach from, you'll find signage directing you to the parking areas. Once inside, the concourse is easy to navigate. It sits above the seating bowl and wraps around roughly three-quarters of the stadium. Restrooms are located in the corners, and exiting after the match is simple thanks to the wide concourse.
Return on Investment 4
Perhaps the biggest strength of an already enjoyable experience is the value offered by a Union Omaha match. Parking prices vary by lot, but you shouldn't expect to pay more than $20. General admission tickets cost $16.50 at the gate, which was actually a few dollars cheaper than buying online.
Once inside, concession prices are reasonable, with food ranging from $3 to $12 and beer and seltzers hovering around $7. The club also routinely offers attendance giveaways, providing fans with a free souvenir to take home.
Extras 2
There isn't much in the way of extras, which is understandable given the temporary nature of the venue. The stadium does feature a beautiful downtown skyline backdrop. At the match I attended, the giveaway was a Union Omaha hand towel with the trim featuring the national flags of every country represented on the roster—a thoughtful touch that deserves some credit.
Final Thoughts
Is this the best experience in USL League One? Probably not. Is it the worst? Certainly not. Morrison Stadium offers a clean, enjoyable venue for this level of soccer, and while it is well worth a visit, I am excited to see what Union Omaha's new downtown stadium will bring.
