AC Grand Rapids’ inaugural home match will be the first sporting event at the new Amway Stadium in downtown Grand Rapids.
AC Grand Rapids will play its inaugural home opener on Friday, March 19, 2027, at Amway Stadium. The match will be the first sporting event held at the new 8,500-seat stadium in downtown Grand Rapids. AC Grand Rapids’ opponent will be announced at a later date.
- “AC Grand Rapids’ home opener at Amway Stadium will be the culmination of a decade-long effort by so many visionaries to bring high-level professional soccer to West Michigan,” said Darrius Barnes, President of AC Grand Rapids. “We are honored to help bring that vision to life, and we can’t wait for our players to step onto the pitch and feel the energy, noise and passionate support we know our community will bring. March 19, 2027, is going to be a special Friday night under the lights — one that will go in the West Michigan history books.”
A Milestone for Amway Stadium
The announcement also marks a milestone for Amway Stadium itself. A public-private partnership led by Grand Action 2.0, with its partners Kent County, City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc., the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA) and its private donors, the stadium is scheduled to open next March.
Inaugural Season Ticket Deposits are available now.
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Next spring, Grand Action 2.0, Legends Global and the CAA will host a community open house at Amway Stadium featuring family-friendly entertainment and activities for all ages. Details will be announced closer to the date of the home opener.
- “Watching Amway Stadium rise on the west side has been one of the great privileges of my time with Grand Action 2.0,” said Carol Van Andel, Grand Action 2.0 Co-chair. “This stadium reflects years of partnership, collaboration, and investment across our community, and March 19 will be the day it all finally comes together to create a wonderful new venue. I can’t wait to stand alongside my family, friends, neighbors, and visitors to cheer on AC Grand Rapids as we watch that first ball hit the pitch.”
The 134,500-square-foot, 8.2-acre stadium features 16 field-level premium suites, a club level with concessions and dining, tiered general seating and an outdoor courtyard connecting the venue to the surrounding neighborhood. Crews broke ground on the project in April 2025 and celebrated a topping out ceremony in May 2026.
- “The first AC Grand Rapids match at Amway Stadium marks an exciting milestone on our journey,” said Michael Nelson, President and CEO of Amway. “This project reflects what can happen when organizations come together around a shared belief in the future of West Michigan. Soon, families, fans and visitors will experience everything this venue was built to inspire: connection, energy, civic pride, and unforgettable moments. At Amway, we believe strong communities help people thrive, and we are proud to bring this venue to the area for generations to come.”
MLS NEXT Pro’s New Competition Calendar
AC Grand Rapids will open its inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season on the road in February 2027, a month before its home opener, as part of the league’s Sprint Season, which will run February through May.
This condensed transitional season includes 14 regular season matches — seven at Amway Stadium — followed by Playoffs and the MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
The Sprint Season is part of MLS NEXT Pro’s broader shift to a Summer-to-Spring calendar beginning with the 2027-2028 season, which will run July 2027 – June 2028. This new calendar will include a 7-8 week winter break from Mid-December to Early-February.
The shift to a Summer-to-Spring calendar will align the league with Major League Soccer, top global leagues and the U.S. elite youth ecosystem.
