Austin, Texas
⚽ Austin FC

Austin FC was launched as an MLS expansion franchise in 2021, coinciding with the opening of its home venue, Q2 Stadium. The arrival of the team gave Austin – the 25th largest metro in the country and a city best known for hosting the Texas Longhorns – its first top-level professional sports franchise. Q2 Stadium at McKalla Place sits 11 miles north of downtown, and the surrounding area is steadily being developed to include restaurants, retail and living spaces, helping transform it into a destination for both Austin FC fans and local casuals.

The stadium was inaugurated on June 16, 2021 with a women’s friendly between the United States and Nigeria, and Austin FC would take to the pitch for the first time three days later against the San Jose Earthquakes. The club has five main supporters’ sections, including Austin Anthem and Los Verdes, a nod to the squad’s bright green kits. They also have a full band, La Murga de Austin, while a local celebrity usually leads the Heartbeat of Austin group. Fans often sing in unison, belting tunes like “True Love Will Win in the End” by local artist Daniel Johnston.

Thus far, Austin FC has sold out every single match, fast approaching 100 consecutive sellouts at their just-over-20,000-seat stadium, an MLS record. The team has reached the playoffs twice in its first five seasons, including a conference finals appearance. Additionally, the club participates in Copa Tejas, a round-robin tournament against their in-state foes of FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo, in which they compete for a trophy cannon known as “El Capitan.”

Austin itself is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. While Austin FC has staked its claim as the first top-level pro team in the city, recent reports about expansion interest by MLB and the NHL could help develop the capital region into an even bigger sports hub. Q2 Stadium is even rumored to be a potential host of a United Football League franchise, as well as an NWSL club at some point in the future. Whether that happens or not, one thing is for sure: Q2 Stadium and its screen of green make Austin a hot soccer destination.