Ozark United FC: A 2026 Update on Northwest Arkansas’s Professional Soccer Project
When Ozark United FC unveiled its vision for a professional men’s and women’s soccer club, a new stadium, and a mixed-use district in Rogers, the excitement across Northwest Arkansas was immediate. Thousands signed up for ticket updates, initial investors stepped forward, and youth players filled the fields wearing OZFC badges for the first time.
Two years later, the question many people are asking is simple: “Why is this taking so long?”
It’s a fair question, and one the club says deserves a clear, transparent answer.
“Projects like this take time because they have to be done right,” said Managing Director Wes Harris. “Most clubs are able to start in an existing facility that already meets U.S. Soccer Federation standards, and that simply doesn’t exist in Northwest Arkansas. We’re not just launching a team — we’re building a stadium and a permanent home for the club from the ground up. Rhode Island took seven years to move from announcement to kickoff, and Oklahoma City will have taken nearly eight years after pausing operations to meet USSF standards before opening in 2028. Building a club, a stadium, and a true community destination from scratch is a massive undertaking, but we’re making real, meaningful progress.”
Below is where things stand today, and where the project is heading next.
A Timeline Reset, Not a Change in Vision
When the club first launched, the target to begin play was 2026. Club Co-Founder Chris Martinovic acknowledges the timeline was ambitious, but remains confident in the long-term plan.
“We made the best projections we could with the information we had at the time,” Martinovic said. “But community interest grew so quickly that our initial site became too small almost overnight. Pivoting to a larger site allowed us to think bigger, which ultimately serves the community better.”
This spring, the club shifted the stadium project to a 36-acre site at Perry and Bellview, a move that unlocked a more future-proof vision.
“The new site allows us to build a stadium people will be proud of for decades,” Martinovic said. “The fan experience, the ability to expand, the mixed-use development — all of it is significantly better than what would have been possible before.”
Is the Project Stalled? The Club Says Absolutely Not.
Despite a quieter public presence, Martonivic says momentum behind the scenes is strong. “We’re in a better position now than at any point since we launched,” Martinovic said. “The expanded project scope attracted new interest from regional and national investment groups. We’re moving through design, permitting, and financing; all the unglamorous but essential work that gets a stadium built.”
Co-Founder Warren Smith emphasizes that recalibration is normal for stadium developments of this size.
“A lot of people assume a long timeline means something’s wrong,” Smith said. “It’s actually the opposite. Every major soccer stadium project goes through these phases: site changes, financing models, design refinements, and development partnerships. It is tedious work figuring out how to connect all of the tiny puzzle pieces. That’s how sustainable stadiums and clubs are built. We’re right where we should be.”
Why Funding Takes Time, Especially in Arkansas
Professional stadiums are expensive, and most in the U.S. rely heavily on public funding tools. Arkansas does not currently have access to many of those mechanisms.
“Most stadiums in America require significant public finance, like the Naturals Stadium in Springdale, which was financed by a sales tax measure voted on by the Springdale community. OKC recently completed the financing for a new $120mm brick-and-mortar facility funded completely by the City of OKC.” Smith said. “That is a burden we didn’t feel the community should carry, and many of the tools in the toolbox for stadium finance simply do not exist yet in the State of Arkansas. So we’re pursuing a primarily private model in which the development around the stadium helps pay for the stadium itself. It’s harder, but it gives us greater control and long-term stability, and most importantly, it isn’t being funded by the community.”
The Realistic Path Forward
With strong investor interest and key financing pathways in development, the next 12–18 months will be pivotal.
“Our focus is on finalizing the ownership group and development partners who will help make this a long-term success story,” Smith said. “Once those pieces are in place, construction and team-building can move quickly. We’re not just building for opening day. We’re building something that will serve this community for generations.”
Why the USL’s Promotion and Relegation Vision Matters
One of the most important developments shaping Ozark United FC’s future is happening at the league level.
The United Soccer League has made clear its intent to introduce promotion and relegation across its professional men’s divisions, creating the first open competitive pyramid in major U.S. professional sports. While details and timelines are still evolving, the direction is already influencing how forward-looking clubs are being built.
“Promotion and relegation is about opportunity,” said Managing Director Wes Harris. “It gives ambitious clubs in growing markets a real pathway to compete at higher levels based on performance, not just market size. This country was built on merit-based success, and we’re excited to prove that Northwest Arkansas can compete with anyone.”
For communities like Northwest Arkansas, that matters. Instead of a closed system where advancement is capped, the USL’s model rewards strong ownership, smart development, and sustained investment in infrastructure and talent – principles that mirror how this region itself has grown. Northwest Arkansas is home to companies that compete at the highest level in their industries every day, and Ozark United aims to bring that same competitive mindset to the pitch.
“This aligns with how we’re building Ozark United,” said Co-Founder Warren Smith. “We’re focused on long-term sustainability and doing things the right way. In an open system, that work matters.”
As global soccer continues to gain momentum in the U.S., the appeal of leagues where every match carries meaning is growing. For Ozark United supporters, the message is simple: this club is being built with ambition and flexibility, not for a single season or a single level, but for long-term growth alongside the league.
“We’re positioning ourselves to grow with the USL and with this community,” said Martinovic. “That’s the opportunity in front of us.”
What’s Happening in the Meantime? Plenty.
While long-term stadium and development planning continues, Ozark United FC is steadily expanding its presence and impact across Northwest Arkansas.
Working with Proven Community Builders
Although the club is not yet ready to announce the partners who will lead its development efforts, the caliber of the organizations involved and, most importantly, the people behind them, encourage leadership. Ozark United has been intentional about identifying partners with deep regional experience and a strong understanding of the Northwest Arkansas market.
“We’re not developers,” Smith noted. “Our focus is on building a club and a community asset. Finding the right partner to help deliver the kind of entertainment district this region deserves is critical, and we think we are on the right track and are partnering with the right people.”
At the same time, the club is already building something tangible: a growing soccer ecosystem rooted in youth development and community engagement.
A Growing Academy Program
The club’s collaboration with Sporting Arkansas has now produced a full slate of MLS NEXT Academy teams. Founding partners Unilever, Arkansas Children’s, and America’s Car-Mart have helped deliver free clinics, community outreach, and new competitive pathways for young players.
“This is one of the clearest signs of momentum,” Harris said. “The academy is thriving. The kids are incredible. And our partners see the impact firsthand.”
Girls Program Incoming
The club is diligently working toward adding a girls pathway that we hope will mirror the success we have garnered in our partnership with Sporting AR. This is much harder to accomplish but we are determined to have a solution soon. Martinovic notes this is a top priority.
“The demand is there. The talent is there. We want to do this the right way,” Martinovic said.
Community Engagement Continues
From a 250-player free youth clinic in July to international visibility through the Marshall Islands’ first-ever 11v11 national team matches, Ozark United continues to invest in the region’s soccer culture.
The club’s fan database is now nearing 10,000 supporters, before a single ticket has gone on sale.
A Project Worth the Wait
From stadium approvals to financing structures to development partnerships, projects of this scope move slowly until, suddenly, they move very fast.
Harris believes Northwest Arkansas is nearing that inflection point.
“We’re building something lasting and meaningful: a club, a stadium, and a community hub that will bring people together,” he said. “It takes time. But it’s worth it. And we’re getting closer every day.”