It took a lot of footwork to get here, but Indy’s first USL W League team officially kick starts its inaugural season tonight. Here’s a field guide for what you need to know.
Fast facts
- This isn’t just the first pre-professional women’s game in Indy — it’s the first pre-professional women’s game period.
- National Women’s Soccer League viewership increased by 300% in 2020, which bodes well for Indy Eleven’s popularity.
- The USL W League is providing 750+ opportunities for women to work in, play + coach soccer.
- There are about 46 teams across the US and they’re divided regionally.
The stadium
The establishment of Indy Eleven’s women’s team was the one of the last pieces it needed to finalize Eleven Park — a $550 million mixed-use development with a 20,000-seat stadium.
The “transformational neighborhood development” is also proposed to include a hotel, office, apartments, retail, and public areas. For a visual of Eleven Park’s plans, check out this video on YouTube.
The US is scheduled to host the 2026 World Cup and if this project is completed by then, it could put Indy on the list of potential hosts.
The site for this stadium hasn’t been announced yet, but we’ll keep you updated as the story develops.
The game
If you’d like to go to tonight’s historic game against Ohio-based Kings Hammer FC, tickets are still available + it starts at 7 p.m. at Westfield’s Grand Park Events Center.
If the drive to Westfield is too far, Indy Eleven’s doubleheader will be held at Carroll Stadium on IUPUI’s campus — the same field the men plan on.
