Rhode Island FC to play inaugural season at Bryant University

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WLNE) — After extended questioning of where the Rhode Island Football Club would play its inaugural season, the club announced Friday they will play at Bryant University’s Beirne Stadium.

“This is obviously a great announcement for us,” President Brett Luy said. “We feel fantastic about the partnership there, it is a group that is very well-versed in the needs of professional sports franchises and organizations. They have hosted the New England Patriots for close to two decades for their training camp location so it is a place that we feel fits our needs as a professional organization from a facility’s perspective.”

Part of the reason the field was chosen is because of league standards that needed to be met.

Beirne Stadium holds 4,000 people and the RIFC will be adding an additional 1,000 seats to meet the 5,000 seat requirement set by United Soccer League.

“The most specific and biggest challenge frankly it is mostly U.S. soccer standards and there’s pro league standards at the division two level we have to meet, which are 5,000 fixed seats and a playing dimension of 110 by 70, it either needs to be a FIFA approved artificial surface or a professional grade grass surface,” Luv said. “Obviously that narrowed our scope of areas that we could focus on in terms of venues.”

RIFC will play all of their home matches at the stadium as well as practice on Bryant’s grounds with access to locker rooms and more.

“We’ll train at the facility as well and we will have access to their facilities as well,” Luv said. “We will use locker rooms on game day. We are guests at their home and their facility so we will have to navigate that in collaboration but they have been excellent partners up to this point.” 

Luy noted that the team will be paying Bryant a usage fee, but did not say the amount.

He added with full confidence he fully anticipates the 2025 season to be played at Tidewater Landing.

Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said the Rhode Island Football Club has always been committed to playing in the Blackstone Valley region, and by playing at Bryant, they continue to honor that commitment.