Centene Stadium home of St. Louis City SC

Article posted by Coliseum, February 18^th, 2022

Image: St. Louis City FC

The home of St. Louis’ (Missouri, US) new Major League Soccer (MLS) team – St. Louis City SC – officially has a name: Centene Stadium.

‘5ON YOUR SIDE’ stated that St. Louis City SC President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Louis Carolyn Kindle Betz shared the news on February 15^th in a pre-recorded announcement – “This is where premiere sport, advanced technology and local flavor will intersect. Where people from across the region will celebrate what our City represents. Where St. Louisans of every creed and color will come together and rally behind one crest, one team. Yes, our new home finally has a name. Welcome to Centene Stadium.”

The St. Louis City SC is a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise that is expected to begin play in 2023. The club will be based in St. Louis (Missouri, US) with home matches at a planned 22,500-seat soccer-specific stadium.

The Centene Stadium is a $457.8 million 22,500 seat soccer-specific stadium currently under construction in St. Louis, Missouri (US), the future home of St. Louis City SC, the City’s expansion Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. The stadium is being built next to Union Station in the City’s Downtown West neighborhood, and is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2023 MLS season.

The Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men’s professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport’s highest level in the United States. The league comprises 28 teams – 25 in the US and 3 in Canada – and plans to expand to 29 teams by the 2023 season.

5 On Your Side Sports Director Frank Cusumano had confirmed on February 14^th that the St. Louis-based Centene Corporation would be named the stadium naming-rights sponsor for St. Louis City SC.

Centene is a St. Louis-based health insurance company that also has partnerships with the Blues and Cardinals, including the naming rights to the Blues’ practice facility in Maryland Heights, Missouri.

Centene also has a sponsorship deal in the MLS with Charlotte FC, where it houses another base of operations.

‘5ON YOUR SIDE’ further stated that Betz called Centene an “ideal partner” for a couple of different reasons, including the fact the company have a female majority-led workforce, and their focus on health and wellness aligns with the team’s mission.

Betz didn’t disclose how long the naming rights will be in place but said it is a multiyear deal and “they are very excited to have it”.

She also thanked the St. Louis fan base for its continued – and enthusiastic – support so far -“Every time we’ve asked for something, this region has stepped up. Whether it’s community, whether it’s friends and family, whether it’s other corporations. We’re just so grateful that we have the support that we do have.”

St. Louis City SC named another St. Louis-based company, Purina, as its founding sponsor and kit sponsor in March 2021.

Construction on St. Louis City SC’s stadium continues to progress, with the final steel beam of the facility placed back in August 2021. Betz said it should be “substantially complete” by the end of Summer.

She explained, “Right now, seats are going in and they’re getting ready to work on concessions. Aesthetics are being finetuned and they’re honing in on the fan experience.”

St. Louis City SC is set to begin play in the MLS in 2023 and recently named the team’s first head coach in Bradley Carnell, and first player in Selmir Pidro.

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