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NEWS
David Beckham consortium reveals new-look design for mooted Miami MLS stadium
POSTED 23 May 2017 . BY Kim Megson
Populpus have designed the open-air, 25,000-capacity stadium for Miami Beckham United Credit: Populous
Representatives of footballing icon David Beckham have unveiled the latest version of the stadium the former England captain wants to build as a home for his new franchise in Miami, Florida.

Tim Leiweke, one of the investors behind Miami Beckham United, spoke to local politicians and residents at a Town Hall meeting last Wednesday (17 May) in Overtown, the neighbourhood where Beckham wants to locate the stadium.

According to the Miami Herald, Leiweke conceded Beckham’s consortium had experienced “bumps in the road” in getting public and political approval for the project, which was first revealed almost 18 months ago.

The Beckham group needs an agreement to buy a nine-acre parcel of county land near the Miami River before it can get formal approval from Major League Soccer (MLS) to establish the franchise. Todd Boehly, co-owner of baseball franchise the L.A. Dodgers, is reportedly working with the Beckham group to buy the county land for US$9m (€7.9m, £6.3m) using the state’s economic-development laws.

County representatives are due to vote on the revamped proposals in early June.

At the public meeting, Leiweke introduced changes to the provisional design. According to the Herald, these respond to concerns raised by residents that a “hulking stadium would choke the area”.

The new-look facility, created by sports architects Populous, is lighter and airier than the previous iteration. The open-roofed structure, with a capacity of 25,000, features a thin canopy, with bits of the field visible from above, and walls that are open to the elements above the seats.

Parking spaces are limited, but in what Beckham lobbyist Spencer Crowley described at the meeting as a “paradigm shift” for major leisure facilities, spectators will be encouraged to come by boat, bus or on foot to reduce traffic in the neighbourhood.

“We’re going to be encouraging the use of Metromover, Metrorail, water taxis, ride-sharing,” he said.

Carlos Gimenez, mayor of Miami-Dade County, said the Overtown site is now the only option if Miami is to have an MLS team. A long-running search for suitable land by the Beckham consortium – which includes Leiweke, Bolivian/American telecoms entrepreneur Marcelo Claure and former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller – has previously seen three alternative sites deemed unsustainable.

According to Leiweke, if approved the stadium will not open until 2021, but Miami Beckham United could still play in a temporary venue — such as Hard Rock stadium or nearby Marlins Park — while construction is underway.

MLS' current expansion plans call for 28 teams by 2020. Atlanta, Los Angeles and Minnesota will join the league during the next three years, with Miami taking one step closer on to becoming the 24th team. Teams 25 and 26 will be announced during the second or third quarter of 2017, at an expansion fee of $150m (€133m, £115m) each.

Beckham has long wanted to start his MLS football franchise in Miami Credit: Wiki Commons
PROJECT PROFILE:

MLS Miami Stadium
Former England captain David Beckham, who is driving efforts to establish a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise in Miami, Florida, US has said he’s “frustrated” at the delays in securing a stadium site in the city.

Location: Miami , United States

RELATED STORIES
  David Beckham’s consortium secures MLS backing for stadium site


Former England captain David Beckham’s plans to establish a new football franchise in Miami, Florida, are a step closer after Major League Soccer (MLS) approved stadium plans for the project.
  Beckham’s MLS franchise suffers stadium site issues


David Beckham’s proposal to launch a Miami-based Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise may be in jeopardy after struggling to pin down a site for the stadium.
  David Beckham’s MLS club secures Miami stadium site


Miami Beckham United, the group behind proposals to launch an Major League Soccer (MLS) club in Miami, has secured a site for a 25,000-capacity stadium following an 18-month search.
  David Beckham “frustrated” at lack of Miami stadium progress


Former England captain David Beckham, who is driving efforts to establish a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise in Miami, Florida, US has said he’s “frustrated” at the delays in securing a stadium site in the city.
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NEWS
David Beckham consortium reveals new-look design for mooted Miami MLS stadium
POSTED 23 May 2017 . BY Kim Megson
Populpus have designed the open-air, 25,000-capacity stadium for Miami Beckham United Credit: Populous
Representatives of footballing icon David Beckham have unveiled the latest version of the stadium the former England captain wants to build as a home for his new franchise in Miami, Florida.

Tim Leiweke, one of the investors behind Miami Beckham United, spoke to local politicians and residents at a Town Hall meeting last Wednesday (17 May) in Overtown, the neighbourhood where Beckham wants to locate the stadium.

According to the Miami Herald, Leiweke conceded Beckham’s consortium had experienced “bumps in the road” in getting public and political approval for the project, which was first revealed almost 18 months ago.

The Beckham group needs an agreement to buy a nine-acre parcel of county land near the Miami River before it can get formal approval from Major League Soccer (MLS) to establish the franchise. Todd Boehly, co-owner of baseball franchise the L.A. Dodgers, is reportedly working with the Beckham group to buy the county land for US$9m (€7.9m, £6.3m) using the state’s economic-development laws.

County representatives are due to vote on the revamped proposals in early June.

At the public meeting, Leiweke introduced changes to the provisional design. According to the Herald, these respond to concerns raised by residents that a “hulking stadium would choke the area”.

The new-look facility, created by sports architects Populous, is lighter and airier than the previous iteration. The open-roofed structure, with a capacity of 25,000, features a thin canopy, with bits of the field visible from above, and walls that are open to the elements above the seats.

Parking spaces are limited, but in what Beckham lobbyist Spencer Crowley described at the meeting as a “paradigm shift” for major leisure facilities, spectators will be encouraged to come by boat, bus or on foot to reduce traffic in the neighbourhood.

“We’re going to be encouraging the use of Metromover, Metrorail, water taxis, ride-sharing,” he said.

Carlos Gimenez, mayor of Miami-Dade County, said the Overtown site is now the only option if Miami is to have an MLS team. A long-running search for suitable land by the Beckham consortium – which includes Leiweke, Bolivian/American telecoms entrepreneur Marcelo Claure and former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller – has previously seen three alternative sites deemed unsustainable.

According to Leiweke, if approved the stadium will not open until 2021, but Miami Beckham United could still play in a temporary venue — such as Hard Rock stadium or nearby Marlins Park — while construction is underway.

MLS' current expansion plans call for 28 teams by 2020. Atlanta, Los Angeles and Minnesota will join the league during the next three years, with Miami taking one step closer on to becoming the 24th team. Teams 25 and 26 will be announced during the second or third quarter of 2017, at an expansion fee of $150m (€133m, £115m) each.

Beckham has long wanted to start his MLS football franchise in Miami Credit: Wiki Commons
RELATED STORIES
David Beckham’s consortium secures MLS backing for stadium site


Former England captain David Beckham’s plans to establish a new football franchise in Miami, Florida, are a step closer after Major League Soccer (MLS) approved stadium plans for the project.
Beckham’s MLS franchise suffers stadium site issues


David Beckham’s proposal to launch a Miami-based Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise may be in jeopardy after struggling to pin down a site for the stadium.
David Beckham’s MLS club secures Miami stadium site


Miami Beckham United, the group behind proposals to launch an Major League Soccer (MLS) club in Miami, has secured a site for a 25,000-capacity stadium following an 18-month search.
David Beckham “frustrated” at lack of Miami stadium progress


Former England captain David Beckham, who is driving efforts to establish a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise in Miami, Florida, US has said he’s “frustrated” at the delays in securing a stadium site in the city.
MORE NEWS
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
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By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
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Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
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