Portland Hearts of Pine Announce Plans for New Soccer Specific Stadium

Portland Hearts of Pine recently unveiled plans for a permanent home at Cassidy Point in Portland’s West End along the Fore River. The site sits at the western end of Commercial Street, opposite the city’s Old Port district, Portland’s tourism hub. The club has entered into an agreement to acquire the property, where it hopes to construct a privately funded, $50 million, 9,000 to 11,000-seat soccer-specific stadium that would become the home of both its USL League One men’s team and future women’s side.

The proposed development at Cassidy Point extends beyond soccer. For decades, the property has served as an industrial coal storage site, but the club’s vision would transform this area into a community gathering space, while preserving the site's 600-foot working waterfront pier for marine use. The project would also expand public waterfront access and recreational space, aligning with the City of Portland’s long-term waterfront redevelopment goals.

The project has created excitement among city officials, who have praised Hearts of Pine for the way the club has connected with the community.

"So far, the team's success has shown the power of sports to bring our community together, and I think that's something worth recognizing," City Councilor Pious Ali said.

City Councilor Anna Bullett acknowledges that Hearts of Pine’s current home at Fitzpatrick Stadium has not been large enough to meet the overwhelming demand for tickets.

"I applaud Hearts' leaders for staying in Portland, and I look forward to partnering with the team to ensure our multifaceted waterfront continues to meet community needs, from fishing to tourism and everything in between," Bullett said.

Sites in surrounding communities, including South Portland, Westbrook, and Scarborough, were considered before the club identified Cassidy Point as its preferred location.

"Cassidy Point presents us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build something lasting for the City of Portland and for the future of the sport here in Maine," founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson said.

In just two seasons on the pitch, Portland Hearts of Pine has established itself as one of the best-supported clubs in American soccer, outside of MLS. The club has sold out every home match at Fitzpatrick Stadium, built a season-ticket waiting list more than 8,000 fans deep, and ranks seventh in attendance among all 42 clubs across USL Championship and USL League One. The club’s upcoming women’s team also comes with much anticipation, selling 5,000 season-ticket deposits in less than an hour.

The need for a new stadium extends beyond creating additional capacity for supporters. It would also provide Hearts of Pine with a regulation soccer-specific venue; Portland currently plays at Fitzpatrick Stadium under a USL waiver because the field does not meet the league's minimum width requirements. While the city-owned stadium has created a cozy atmosphere and helped establish the club's identity, its shared use and physical limitations have also raised questions about the long-term viability of Hearts at "Fort Fitzy."

The project will now enter a lengthy approval process. The property is not currently zoned for a stadium, requiring amendments to the city's zoning ordinance before construction can begin. Hearts of Pine officials estimate the permitting process will take approximately nine months.

"We will approach the process with humility and an understanding that the bar is high, as it should be for new development projects in Portland," founding partner Jonathan Culley said. "The onus will be on us to demonstrate that the project is good for Portland."

As has been the case throughout the club's history, Hearts of Pine is seeking community input as they begin the stadium design process. The club plans to hold several public forums as the project develops and is encouraging supporters to submit suggestions to CassidyPoint@heartsofpine.com.

If approved, construction could begin in 2027, with an anticipated opening in early 2029.