Remember when Nashville wasn't considered a soccer city? Those days are long gone. The Music City has transformed into a soccer hotspot that's now preparing to host FIFA Club World Cup matches this June.
Soccer fans in Nashville used to be so rare that if you spotted someone with a soccer bumper sticker, you probably knew them personally. Today? There are too many to count.
When Ian Ayre, Nashville SC's first CEO, arrived in town, his cab driver laughed at him. "This isn't a soccer city," the driver said. That skepticism didn't last long.
Nashville SC now plays in GEODIS Park, the largest soccer-specific stadium in America with 30,000 seats. The venue has already welcomed Lionel Messi (who got booed by local fans during the 2023 Leagues Cup Final) and will host Premier League side Aston Villa this August.
Even FIFA President Gianni Infantino was impressed, telling Ayre: "It's incredible not only that you guys built this, but it feels like a truly authentic soccer experience."
From Humble Beginnings to Soccer Boom
Nashville's soccer roots run deep. In the 1970s, Jose Fernandez and Fred Eckhardt built six soccer fields south of the city. These pioneers laid the groundwork for what was to come.
Steve Klein, who played for the Nashville Metros in 1998, remembers drawing crowds of up to 2,000 fans. That's nothing compared to today's attendance figures.
MLS showed interest in Nashville back in 1999, but the timing wasn't right. Fast forward to December 2017, and Nashville was awarded an MLS franchise for $150 million.
The growth has been explosive. About 14 years ago, Tennessee had roughly 35,000 registered soccer players. Now, that's just the number for the Nashville area alone!
The national teams have helped too. The U.S. women's team is undefeated in Nashville with a 5-0-1 record. The men's team first played here in 2009 and has gone 5-2-2 overall.
A memorable moment came in 2011 when fans stood through a rainy match against Paraguay. This dedication caught national attention and showed Nashville's potential as a soccer market.
Creating a Unique Soccer Culture
Nashville has embraced soccer with a distinctly Southern flavor. Tailgating, a staple of American football in the South, has become a beloved tradition for Nashville SC fans.
The team's supporters' section, called the Backline, now features seven different groups. The Roadies, one of these groups, even helps fund local youth soccer programs.
Nashville isn't alone in this Southern soccer revolution. Charlotte FC averages over 33,000 fans per game, while North Carolina boasts the hugely successful NC Courage women's team.
What's next for Nashville? They missed out on hosting 2026 World Cup matches, but they're already targeting the 2031 Women's World Cup. Many local fans are confident a professional women's team is also on the horizon.
For betting enthusiasts, Nashville's rise signals new opportunities. As the city establishes itself on the international soccer map with Club World Cup matches, expect increased betting interest and potentially favorable odds as bookmakers adjust to Nashville's growing soccer significance.
