Portland Hearts of Pine plan to build a 9,000- to 11,000-seat soccer-specific stadium at Cassidy Point in Portland. The project will transform an industrial coal storage site into a permanent home for the club's men's and women's teams, as well as a new recreation space, while preserving the "working waterfront" marine.

Construction is slated to begin in 2027, with the goal of opening the stadium in early 2029. The project, estimated to cost more than $50 million, will be predominantly privately funded.

"The support this community has shown our club has exceeded anything we could have imagined," said Hearts founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson. "From supporters filling Fitzpatrick Stadium to the 8,000-person season ticket waitlist to the excitement surrounding our women's team, we've reached a point where it's time to start planning for what comes next. This is about building a permanent home that allows Hearts of Pine to grow responsibly alongside the community that has embraced us."

Hearts have sold out every home game at Fitzpatrick Stadium since the club began play in 2025. They've made conscientious steps to welcome more fans while preserving the unique game-day atmosphere. 

Having an 8,000-person season ticket waitlist for their men's team and 5,000 season ticket deposits for the women's team (set to kick off in 2027) sell out in less than an hour is evidence of how much this club means to the community.

The club will continue to play games at Fitzpatrick Stadium while the Cassidy Point project takes shape.

"Fitzy has been an incredible home for this club," said club president Kevin Schohl. "So much of what we're accomplishing together has happened there, and planning for Cassidy Point doesn't change that. Even though we now plan to leave our current home sooner than we ever originally expected, we are proud to have invested nearly $3 million into Fitzpatrick, for the benefit of all who use it. We want to leave every place we touch better than we found it."

Located along the Fore River at Cassidy Point, Hearts' new stadium will be recognizable from air, land, and sea.

The lot was previously used for coal storage, but the Portland City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance requiring large coal stockpiles to be removed amid concern about environmental and public health impacts.

"Opportunities like this don't come around often," said Schohl. "Cassidy Point is like the front porch of Portland, where people gain their first impression as they arrive into the city. We now have an opportunity to transform a site that's been inaccessible for generations into a place that reflects the pride, creativity, and competitive spirit of Maine, while giving our community a waterfront destination it can enjoy year-round. That's a responsibility we take incredibly seriously, and we're excited to get started."

Hearts are dedicated to hearing feedback from various parties as the project comes to life. The aim is to create something that enhances the Western Waterfront. The site’s 600-foot pier will remain zoned for marine industrial use, but other portions of the land will be transformed so that the public can access parts of the riverfront that have been historically inaccessible.

While nothing is finalized and all stadium designs are conceptual, the club is committed to maintaining the festival-like atmosphere that many have enjoyed at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

"This announcement is just the beginning of a conversation," said Hoffman-Johnson. "Cassidy Point presents us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build something lasting for the city of Portland, and for the future of the sport here in Maine. There's a lot of work ahead for every member of this club and this community to bring this dream to life. We can’t wait to get started."

Community members are encouraged to follow the project, receive updates, and share ideas by visiting heartsofpine.com/cassidypoint, joining the mailing list here, or by reaching out directly to CassidyPoint@heartsofpine.com.