This story has been updated to include a statement from the Connecticut Sports Group.
BRIDGEPORT – The Connecticut Sports Group (CTSG) and co-owner of the CT United FC will have to wait longer to have the state approve a about $100 million to build a soccer stadium on the East Side.
That’s because on the last day of the 2025 general legislation session the Senate chose instead to call for an economic impact statement for the project instead of allocating the funds.
However, the Senate unanimously passed tax increment financing (TIF) legislation that allows the City of Bridgeport to create a district for the billion dollar East Side project.
That bill now goes to Gov. Ned Lamont for signature to become law.
“We are grateful for the leadership of the Bridgeport delegation and of the entire General Assembly for advancing this critical step toward unlocking the full potential of Bridgeport’s waterfront,” CTSG said in a statement. “This legislation will help make possible a transformative live-work-play destination that plans over 1,000 housing units, creates 1,300 permanent jobs, and generates $3.4 billion in statewide economic impact— while generating significant new annual revenue for the City of Bridgeport.
“We also thank the legislature for passing a bill that will have the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Department of Revenue Services conduct an evaluation of the economic impact and state revenue generation from our proposed stadium and housing development. Allowing Governor Lamont and other key decision-makers time to review the full range of data and analysis of the economic impact of these projects is critical to Connecticut’s future.”
Meanwhile, the ownership and development group behind CTUnited FC and its new waterfront stadium announced May 28 the appointment of global sports, music and entertainment company, Wasserman, as their sales agency of record. The collaboration brings together two organizations committed to building professional soccer in one of the country’s most dynamic and underrepresented major markets.
Wasserman will leverage its commercial expertise and unrivaled relationships to secure the founding naming rights partner for the organization’s most visible and impactful asset, according to André Swanston, co-owner of the MLS-Next Pro men’s soccer team and CTSG partner.
“Connecticut is one of the most densely populated and affluent markets in the U.S.—and the largest without a major league team in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, or MLS,” Swanston said. “We’re building something transformational here, and Wasserman is the right partner to help us bring on bold, visionary brands to be part of this journey from day one.”
CTSG also announced its intent to submit formal bids for both a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion club and a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) franchise to play at the stadium.
“This new stadium development is primed to become the epicenter of sports and entertainment in Connecticut,” said Chris Foy, Wasserman executive vice president and managing director, rights sales, North America. “We’re excited to take this opportunity to market as we enter a pivotal period of growth for soccer in America, with the World Cup coming in 2026. This naming rights position will provide a brand the opportunity to become a landmark in the state. Connecticut is ready, and CT United is ready.”
The Bridgeport area state House delegation credited with getting the TIF plan to the Senate includes Rep. Chris Rosario, Rep. Andre Baker, Rep. Marcus Brown, Rep. Antonio Felipe, Rep. Fred Gee, Rep. Cristin McCarthy-Vahey, and Rep. Steven Stafstrom.
TIF legislation
TIF is a public financing method used by municipalities to fund public infrastructure improvements and promote economic development in designated areas. It works by capturing the future tax revenue generated by increased property values within a TIF district and using that revenue to pay for the public improvements.
A portion of any new real estate taxes generated by the project would pay off the debt rather than going directly into Bridgeport’s municipal coffers. There has been a simultaneous push for state lawmakers to also commit about $100 million to Swanston’s project as part of any borrowing or bonding package included in a new two-year Connecticut budget negotiated with Gov. Ned Lamont.
In this year’s state General Assembly session, the House of Representatives on Monday, June 2, approved a bill that would approve the creation of such a district in East Side of Bridgeport to help finance the infrastructure for a MLS Next Pro stadium. It now awaits action by the Senate and possible signature by Lamont, who has voiced his support earlier this year.
In a social media post, Connecticut Sports Group issued the following statement: “Connecticut Sports Group extends its sincere thanks to the Bridgeport House delegation for their leadership and tremendous support of our request to establish a Tax Increment Financing district in Bridgeport – which passed the House unanimously.
“Their support represents a major step forward in realizing a transformative live-work-play destination that will bring over 1,000 housing units, 1,300 permanent jobs, and generate significant new revenue for Bridgeport while delivering $3.4 billion in economic impact to the state.”
TIF has been successfully used in projects like Steelpointe in Bridgeport and Harbor Point in Stamford to unlock private investment and fund essential infrastructure. TIF can support critical components of the project, including public infrastructure improvements, parking structures and site access, waterfront walkways and public spaces, and environmental remediation, according to CSG.
With construction set to begin in 2025, the new 10,000-seat waterfront stadium will be the permanent home of CT United FC, which begins play in MLSNEXT Pro in 2026. Designed with the future in mind, the stadium could support a potential NWSL expansion team and is expandable to accommodate up to 22,000 fans for a future MLS club, according to CTSG.
As the first soccer-specific venue of its kind in the state, it will serve as a year-round hub for professional sports, live entertainment, and community programming.
