It’s official: In a landmark development for Rhode Island’s sports and entertainment landscape, Rhode Island FC has announced a naming rights partnership with Centreville Bank for its new stadium during a private event held in the stadium’s hospitality suite. After many months (maybe even years?) of fans speculating about what the stadium would eventually be called, the venue formerly known as Tidewater Landing will now be known as Centreville Bank Stadium. (Personally, I was hoping it would tack on “at Tidewater Landing” at the end. It’ll be interesting to see how long it takes before people stop calling it “Tidewater.”)
A Strategic Partnership
As has been a consistent theme across all the announced partnerships and marketing materials the club has shared since its inception, Rhode Island FC has kept its focus on the community and local Rhode Island-based businesses. Centreville Bank, established in 1828 and headquartered in West Warwick, isn’t just some out-of-state corporate sponsor. They’ve been part of this community for almost 200 years, so teaming up with RIFC feels like a natural fit.
In fact, Centreville Bank was already one of RIFC’s four “Anchor Partners” and is the sleeve sponsor for the team’s kit being used in its first two seasons. This naming rights deal marks a significant expansion of the partnership, one that should elevate the bank’s profile within the state. It’s also a good sign that this Anchor Partner was satisfied enough with the return on their investment in Year 1 that they decided to secure the naming rights to a stadium that’s expected to become the crown jewel of the state.
For RIFC, securing a sponsor with this much local clout is a huge win. This partnership isn’t just about slapping a name on the stadium. It’s about aligning with a brand that shares their vision for community engagement and economic development. Centreville Bank Stadium will be more than just a soccer venue; it will be a hub for the community, bringing all kinds of events to the area. For a team that emphasizes its commitment to the community and positions itself as a club for all of Rhode Island, this stadium sponsorship is another step toward following through on that promise.
Opening Day: The Countdown Continues
After overcoming various construction and funding challenges, the stadium is on track to open on May 3, 2025 for RIFC’s inaugural regular-season home game against red-hot San Antonio FC. The team will also host a “soft opening” the week before, holding a two-day youth soccer tournament. One of the goals of that tournament is to test out many of the systems, processes, and protocols they’ll implement for event days moving forward. As the stadium nears its opening, anticipation builds for the positive changes it will bring to Rhode Island’s sports culture and local economy.
The stadium is part of the broader Tidewater Landing development which aims to rejuvenate the riverfront and create a mixed-use community space. As Brett Johnson, RIFC’s co-founder and chairman, put it, it’s going to be the “sports and entertainment epicenter” of the state. That’s huge. Not only will it bring the game closer to the fans, but it will also be a game-changer for local businesses and tourism.
But perhaps most importantly for the soccer sickos among us, the stadium is New England’s first soccer-specific stadium, something crucial to the long-term viability of any soccer club in the U.S. It promises to offer one of the best soccer environments in the country and will certainly become one of the top stadiums in the USL.
This partnership and this stadium are just the beginning. The potential for Rhode Island soccer is massive, and this new chapter with Centreville Bank as the official partner is a huge step in the right direction. The future of RIFC is bright and the new stadium will be at the center of it all.
Get ready, Rhode Island. With the home opener just 25 days away, we’ve still got so much to look forward to. This is going to be something special.
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