Zions Bank Stadium

Zions Bank Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium in Herriman, Utah, United States, with a seating capacity of 5,000. The stadium is home to Real Monarchs, a MLS Next Pro team affiliated with Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer, and the Utah Warriors, a Major League Rugby team.[1] The stadium is part of the $78 million Zions Bank Real Academy, which includes the academy and training facilities for Real Salt Lake, and is near the Mountain View Corridor.[2] It was originally scheduled to open on March 31, 2018, but moved back to April after construction delays.[3][4] In May 2017, Real Salt Lake and Zions Bank announced a sponsorship deal that would give the bank naming rights to the stadium.[2]

Zions Bank Stadium
Address14788 South Academy Parkway
Herriman, Utah 84096
Coordinates40°29′02″N 111°58′46″W
Owner
OperatorReal Monarchs
Capacity5,000
Field size120 x 75 yards
Construction
Broke groundAugust 2016
OpenedApril 20, 2018 (2018-04-20)
Tenants
Real Monarchs (MLS Next Pro) (2018–present)
Utah Warriors (MLR) (2018–present)

Facilities

Zions Bank Stadium is a 5,000-seat stadium at the center of the Zions Bank Real Academy, a 40-acre (16 ha) sports campus in Herriman, Utah. The pitch measures 120 by 75 yards (110 by 69 m), the same dimensions as Rio Tinto Stadium (the home of Real Salt Lake), and uses a Greenfields MX artificial surface. The east side includes a press box, an owners suite, and hospitality spaces on the east side of the pitch. The stadium's roof has 9,800 square feet (910 m2) of solar panels that provide 166 kW of electricity.[5]

History

Real Salt Lake chose Herriman as the site of the stadium and academy in early 2016.[6] The club had previously considered options in the West Valley City area and planned an 8,000-seat stadium at the Utah State Fairpark until negotiations in the state government fell apart.[7][8][9] Construction began in August 2016 and the academy's charter school opened in August 2017.[10][11] The charter school, built to serve players and residents of nearby areas, focuses on a STEM curriculum and includes an on-site dormitory.[12] Real Salt Lake and Real Monarchs began using the indoor training facilities in January 2018, replacing preseason camps held in California and Arizona.[13]

Due to the stadium's proximity to the academy's charter school, 100 feet (30 m) away, it was unable to obtain a liquor license and was not initially able to serve alcoholic beverages. Under state laws, the license cannot be issued to businesses whose entrance is within 200 feet (61 m) of a school.[14] In response, Real Salt Lake relocated the entrance to the northwest corner, at a cost of $250,000, and received a license from the state liquor commission.[15][16] The stadium also features a 166-kilowatt array of solar panels on its roof.[17]

The first sporting event at the stadium, a Utah Warriors match against the Prairie Wolf Pack, took place on April 20 and was attended by 3,143 people.[18] Real Monarchs played their first home match on April 30, a scoreless draw against Las Vegas Lights FC that was attended by 4,065 spectators.[19] In January 2022, the stadium and Real Monarchs were sold to David Blitzer and Ryan Smith.[20]

Other events

Soccer

In June and July 2020, Zions Bank Stadium and Rio Tinto Stadium hosted the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, a special competition to begin the National Women's Soccer League's 2020 season after it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Zions Bank Stadium hosted the competition's early rounds, with play moving to Rio Tinto Stadium for the semifinals and final.[21]

Lacrosse

The 2020 season of the Premier Lacrosse League was moved to Zions Bank Stadium, with the Championship Series played in July and August. The teams and support staff were housed at the Real Salt Lake Training Academy under quarantine.[22]

References
  1. "Utah Warriors Announce Home Venue for the Major League Rugby Season" (Press release). Utah Warriors. January 25, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  2. Kamrani, Cristopher (May 24, 2017). "Dell Loy Hansen's vision taking shape in Herriman". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  3. "Real Monarchs SLC unveil 2018 Schedule" (Press release). Real Salt Lake. January 19, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  4. "Real Monarchs SLC Move Home Opener to Rio Tinto Stadium" (Press release). Real Salt Lake. March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  5. Meyer, Taran (April 26, 2018). "Zions Bank Stadium Provides Unique Soccer Experience". Real Salt Lake. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  6. Edward, James (April 9, 2016). "Real Salt Lake unveils plans for $50 million training facility in Herriman". Deseret News. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  7. McKellar, Katie; Romboy, Dennis (July 13, 2016). "Legislature commits $10 million to new stadium at Utah State Fairpark". Deseret News. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  8. Green, Mark; Boyd, Robert (February 25, 2015). "Proposal to build soccer stadium at Utah State Fairpark rescinded". FOX 13 Now. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  9. Lee, Jasen (March 3, 2015). "Real Monarchs reveal new stadium proposal in West Valley". KSL. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  10. Falk, Aaron (August 24, 2016). "Real Salt Lake breaks ground on $50-million Herriman training facility". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  11. Lee, Maddie (September 11, 2017). "Real Salt Lake relying heavily on homegrown talent as it rebuilds itself into an MLS contender". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  12. Rosen, Peter (September 7, 2017). "Dreams are soaring for new Utah soccer academy". KSL. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  13. Lee, Maddie (January 24, 2018). "Real Salt Lake opens camp and finds its footing in the great indoors of Herriman". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  14. Stephenson, Kathy (December 9, 2017). "Utah soccer fans may not be able to buy beer at Monarchs games because the new stadium is too close to RSL's charter school". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  15. Stephenson, Kathy (March 1, 2018). "Real Monarchs spend an extra $250,000 to comply with Utah liquor law, but DABC still holds off on beer license for new Herriman soccer stadium". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  16. Stephenson, Kathy (March 16, 2018). "Beer will flow at Monarchs soccer games after DABC says new Herriman stadium meets liquor laws". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  17. Walker, Sean (February 28, 2018). "Real Salt Lake christens $78 million academy complex, high school in Herriman". KSL.com. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  18. Deaver, Mike (April 20, 2018). "Utah Warriors open Zions Bank Stadium with big win". Deseret News. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  19. Lee, Maddie (April 30, 2018). "Monarchs christen Zions Bank Stadium with a scoreless draw". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  20. RSL Communications. "David Blitzer & Smith Entertainment Group to Purchase Real Salt Lake". rsl.com. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  21. Vejar, Alex (May 27, 2020). "NWSL makes it official: Utah Royals will host league tournament this summer at Zions Bank, Rio Tinto stadiums". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  22. Pickman, Ben (June 11, 2020). "Premier Lacrosse League Championship Series to Be Held at Zions Bank Stadium". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
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