Rhode Island FC Unveils New Centreville Bank Stadium

The finishing touches were being put on Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket this week. (Photo by Lauren Clem)

It’s official — Rhode Island’s newest professional sports team will play its games at Centreville Bank Stadium on the banks of the Seekonk River.

Rhode Island FC revealed the name sponsor Tuesday during a press event in the stadium’s newly completed club area. Harold M. Horvat, president and CEO of Centreville Bank, expressed his excitement in partnering with the team.

“We are thrilled to partner with Rhode Island FC — an organization that we believe is going to make a strong economic impact on the Blackstone Valley and in the state of Rhode Island for many years to come,” he said.

The two organizations already have a close relationship, with Centreville Bank serving as a primary sponsor during RIFC’s inaugural season last year at Bryant University. They’re also neighbors, with Centreville Bank opening a branch last year in the downtown Pawtucket building where the team has its headquarters.

“They’ve already had success on the field, and we have confidence that this team will have success once they get on their brand new pitch at Centreville Bank Stadium,” Horvat said.

The team is set to play its first home game in the new stadium on Saturday, May 3, at 4 p.m. against San Antonio FC. They won their first victory of the season this past weekend against Oakland Roots SC in California.

Brett Johnson, Rhode Island FC co-founder and chairman, recalled the long road that led to the announcement. The team’s leadership has been working to bring a stadium to the formerly contaminated site for several years, including securing a controversial public financing deal in 2022. The stadium broke ground later that year and is expected to open for its first public events later this month.

“This is a special day. This has been an incredible journey that goes back over six years now,” Johnson said.

The fully electric stadium has a capacity of more than 10,500. It features a turf field with premium and general seating, including luxury suites, a riverside lounge and a beer garden. The concession area is expected to include local vendors, including Maven’s Delicatessen and The Guild’s RIFC Pale Ale.

Direct-sale tickets for the May 3 match are already sold out, but fans can find tickets on the resale market. Centreville Bank is also sponsoring a limited number of “401 Tickets” for sale at $4.01 to Rhode Island residents.

While soccer will be the main event at the stadium this summer, team management also hopes to host concerts at the riverfront venue. Perhaps Rhode Island’s most famous summer resident will be interested in making a stop during her next trip up to Gillette?

“Today we celebrate a stadium for all of Rhode Island,” Johnson said.

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