AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Bold FC broke ground on Bold Stadium on Wednesday morning at Circuit of The Americas in an event that marked the latest landmark for the organization as it builds toward its inaugural season in the USL in 2019.
Scheduled to open next spring, the venue will initially seat 5,000+ fans upon completion, but the location of the stadium sitting northwest of the Austin360 Amphitheater and tucked between sections of the Formula 1 race track could allow for expansion as needed in years to come.
“We want something we can fill up from the start with an electric atmosphere of about 5,000 people and also have the ability to grow,” Majority Owner and COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein told the Austin American-Statesman’s Chris Bils. “We’ve left ourselves some of that flexibility.”
On hand for the ceremony was Bold FC’s newest signing, former Liga MX midfielder Xavier Baez, who participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking alongside Epstein.
Here are some of the sights and sounds from Circuit of The Americas on Wednesday.
Austin Bold FC leadership led by majority owner Bobby Epstein welcomed guests to Circuit of The Americas on Wednesday for the official groundbreaking ceremony for Bold Stadium, the club's home venue that will open next spring for Bold FC's inaugural USL campaign.
Stage is set for the @AustinBoldFC ground breaking, and there’s a new signing in attendance. Mexican MF Xavier Báez just arrived from Necaxa in #LigaMX. Formerly with Chivas and Cruz Azul. #USL pic.twitter.com/hwATjDOEK4
— Chris Bils (@ChrisBils) October 24, 2018
Announcement of a new signing by @AustinBoldFC former @LIGABancomerMX veteran midfielder Xavier Baez pic.twitter.com/Z3BdyiCSPb
— Texas Soccer Journal (@TXsoccerjournal) October 24, 2018
Ground is broken on the @AustinBoldFC stadium at @COTA. #USL pic.twitter.com/pNJmFjuK9z
— Chris Bils (@ChrisBils) October 24, 2018
Looking forward to roadtrippin' up with a bunch of my fellow @SanAntonioFC fanatics... pic.twitter.com/6OfLS8tjQB
— Erin Reat (@ErinReat) October 24, 2018
BREAKING GROUND: @AustinBoldFC begins construction on $5M stadium https://t.co/23Pm6whpAJ pic.twitter.com/wx1oLrHH5w
— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) October 24, 2018
New: Soccer stadium for @USL's @AustinBoldFC breaks ground at @COTA https://t.co/J98clt8TOP via @MyABJ
— Daniel Salazar (@imdanielsalazar) October 24, 2018
Waiting for @AustinBoldFC ground breaking at COTA. Looking forward to 2019 season. Stadium renderings look good so far. pic.twitter.com/8yy3EepLLw
— mgrayscale (@mgrayscale) October 24, 2018
Báez (translated from Spanish): “This is a beautiful project. ... I’m very excited about the new stadium. I’ve never played at a Formula One circuit.” #USL @AustinBoldFC pic.twitter.com/teiLRewiID
— Chris Bils (@ChrisBils) October 24, 2018
Groundbreaking new @AustinBoldFC stadium @COTA pic.twitter.com/cfWcdDfA4Y
— Texas Soccer Journal (@TXsoccerjournal) October 24, 2018
Cool groundbreaking moment for @AustinBoldFC at @COTA!
— Dennis de la Pena (@dennisonfox7) October 24, 2018
Austin's new #USL squad will begin its inaugural season in March of next year in a shiny new 5,000 seat stadium. #AustinBoldFC #GoBold pic.twitter.com/OQGoeZ835J
It's official... The newest soccer club, @AustinBoldFC, breaks ground at @COTA with Superintendent Dr. Kelly Crook and others in attendance. #DVPROUD https://t.co/p95Ur1XdEF
— Del Valle ISD (@DelValleISD) October 24, 2018
#AustinBoldFC GM Roberto Silva is kicking things off. #GoBold #ABFC pic.twitter.com/uc4khnsZAD
— Austin Bold FC (@AustinBoldFC) October 24, 2018
What a great signing for @AustinBoldFC and @USL!!! Xavi was ex teammate at chivas and opponent many times. Xavi will help boost an already great USL league!!! https://t.co/7cUnoJ6vLb
— Rodrigo Lopez (@Lopez_Roro) October 24, 2018
.@COTA and @AustinBoldFC chairman Bobby Epstein: “This was always part of the dream out here. We’re going to give this a fair shot.” #USL pic.twitter.com/z2ApXyyHaV
— Chris Bils (@ChrisBils) October 24, 2018
We can't wait for the stadiums debut #GoBold #ABFC #TealWall
— Comediverse (@ComediVerseNet) October 24, 2018
The COTA @AustinBoldFC stadium will be behind the Amphitheater, overlooking the second-to-last corner and Haas Hill. Bring a football next year :) https://t.co/df2Q3w9zZv
— Sean Kelly (@virtualstatman) October 24, 2018