Greenville’s new soccer stadium opens with ribbon-cutting. See inside
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The Upstate's new soccer stadium, GE Vernova Park, is officially open after officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the new Mauldin field on Tuesday, June 2.
"Today marks an exciting milestone and is a celebration of a vision that began several years ago to create a permanent home for professional soccer in the Upstate," said Wallace Cheves, chairman of Greenville Triumph SC and Greenville Liberty SC.
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The first Greenville Triumph SC game at the new stadium will take place on Wednesday, June 3, at 7:30 p.m. against Forward Madison FC. The event is already sold out with more than 4,000 fans expected, according to officials.
Is the stadium ready for opening game crowds?
On June 2, the day before GE Vernova's opening game, construction workers were visible throughout the stadium.
Zach Prince, general manager and sporting director for Greenville Triumph SC and Greenville Liberty SC, said that final touches were still being made for the June 3 game.
Though officials say things will be ready for the big day, stadium construction will continue for months to come.
"You are going to see construction through 2026," Prince said. "It's not going to stop."
The stadium's west end will continue to be built up, adding more seating, suites, a club lounge, and a pub, according to Prince.
"Every time you come, it'll just get better and better," Prince said. "The way I look at it is if we're at our worst state right now, we're in a really, really good spot. This is a really special place as it is right now."
Together We Triumph: What's happening at the stadium's opening game
Ahead of Wednesday's game, there will be a free Fan Fest at BridgeWay Station from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The event will have food and drinks, entertainment, family activities, and appearances from the team.
"We want the night to be accessible and meaningful for the whole family before the gates open," Prince said.
Fan Fest will have two activation areas, the Kids' Kick Zone and the Pitchside Social. The Kid's Zone will be in the grass space between BridgeWay Plaza and the entrance to GE Vernova Park. The Pitchside social will feature food and drinks from BridgeWay Brewing Co., as well as merchandise.
The opening game will also have a flyover and fireworks, according to Prince.
Where fans can park, eat and use the restroom on June 3
In addition to parking at BridgeWay Station lots, 2,000 newly secured parking spots will be available at Holland Park Church, Green Lot, Five Forks Methodist Church, and Mauldin High School, according to a recent press release.
Off-site parking is within walking distance of the stadium, and shuttle services will also run before and after the match, according to a press release from the park. Fans are encouraged to approach parking areas via Bridges Road, Holland Road, and East Butler Road rather than entering directly through BridgeWay Boulevard.
Inside the stadium, there will be concessions from Levy, Jeremiah's Ice, Kona Ice, Kendall's Grill, and HipBuger. These vendors will operate through the 2026 season.
No outside food or beverage will be permitted, according to the stadium.
For Wednesday's game, permanent restrooms will be located in the building near the Southeast gate, and temporary restrooms will be in the Northeast and Southwest corners of the stadium, according to the Hughes Agency.
More than a soccer stadium
At GE Vernova Park's ribbon-cutting ceremony, officials said that the new stadium is about more than soccer games.
"In the near future, GE Vernova Park will bring energy, activity, and experiences to BridgeWay Station and the entirety of the Upstate community year-round," Rivers Hughes of the Hughes Agency said. "Through soccer, yes, but also through the concerts, festivals, and gatherings that will fill these stands in this district with life in every season."
Along with the variety of events the stadium plans to host one day, Prince said the stadium is a place for everyone. They were intentional about offering affordable tickets that make it accessible for families to come to games, Prince said.
Ruth Cronin covers Greenville County business, growth, and development. Contact her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: What fans can expect at Greenville's GE Vernova Park opening day