County of Sonoma enters negotiations with United Soccer League to evaluate Fairgrounds for stadium development

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a Letter of Intent with the United Soccer League, launching a nine-month process to evaluate the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, and other County-owned properties in Santa Rosa, for a potential new multi-purpose stadium and mixed-use entertainment district.

The actions taken today will allow the County to formally participate in negotiations with the United Soccer League and the City of Santa Rosa while ensuring the public has a voice in the process.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Fairgrounds and for Sonoma County,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Professional soccer has the potential to bring new energy and activity to the site, and we’re committed to working closely with the community as we explore what this could look like.”

The Letter of Intent mirrors a similar agreement between the City of Santa Rosa and USL, the nation’s largest professional soccer organization. The agreement does not commit the County to funding or building a stadium but creates a clear framework for USL to study the Fairgrounds, test design ideas, and examine whether the project makes financial sense. The exclusive negotiating period extends through Sept. 17, 2026.

To support this work, the Board of Supervisors adopted the charter for an ad hoc committee, led by Supervisors Rebecca Hermosillo and Chris Coursey, that will guide staff as the County evaluates a potential public-private partnership with USL to develop a professional soccer stadium at the Fairgrounds.

In addition, the Board allocated $30,000 for public engagement and legal review. A series of public meetings will take place in early 2026 to give neighbors, businesses, labor groups, the soccer community and other stakeholders opportunities to provide input on what they would like to see in a potential sports and entertainment complex.

“The Sonoma County Fairgrounds is a valued public asset, and the Fair Board takes its stewardship seriously,” said Hugo Mata, president of the Sonoma County Fair & Exposition Board of Directors. “We appreciate the County’s commitment to transparent engagement that ensures the Fair and Fair Board remain actively involved as the evaluation moves forward. Any potential project must align with year-round fair operations while continuing to support agriculture, public events, emergency evacuation, and overall community resiliency.”

The actions taken today build upon direction provided at a joint meeting of the Board of Supervisors and the Sonoma County Fair Board on Oct. 17.

USL has expressed interest in Santa Rosa as a potential expansion market for professional men’s and women’s soccer. The Fairgrounds, which is owned by the County of Sonoma, emerged as the preferred location after a preliminary site review conducted by USL and City of Santa Rosa staff earlier this year. USL will now begin developing a funding model to build a stadium that could accommodate at least 5,000 spectators. To finance the project and limit public subsidies, it is anticipated USL will propose a mixed-use entertainment district that would include housing, retail and other uses. It anticipates completing feasibility studies late summer 2026.

The Letter of Intent and other documents approved by the Board of Supervisors today are available on the County of Sonoma’s website. An FAQ on the USL proposal and news updates are available on the City of Santa Rosa’s website.

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Media Contact:
Ted Appel, Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonomacounty.gov
(707) 565-3040
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403