The NFL is set to begin preparations for the Super Bowl on January 5, taking over the Youth Soccer Park adjacent to Levi”s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This move will require hundreds of youth soccer players to seek alternative playing fields.
The Santa Clara Youth Soccer League, which serves around 1,500 young athletes, is facing significant challenges as a result of this disruption. Board Member Steve Robertson expressed concern over the lack of available field space, noting that while there are some grass fields in the city, very few have lighting, which is crucial for evening practices and games.
Efforts are underway to find solutions quickly. Recently, a parent rented a tower light to evaluate its effectiveness for potential use. Robertson stated, “We”re scrambling right now, to be honest, without a concrete plan in place as to how the city or other constituents can help us.”
The Youth Soccer Park features two grass fields and one turf field. The NFL plans to utilize this venue from January 5 until February 22, although there are concerns within the soccer community that the occupation could extend beyond this timeframe. Previous experience during the last Super Bowl at Levi”s in 2016 raised alarms about field conditions post-event. Robertson noted, “It takes a number of weeks to figure out the best way to return the field to normal condition. So in the last go around, the field was trashed candidly.”
In response to these concerns, Parks and Recreation Director Damon Sparacino assured that the agreement with the NFL mandates the league to repair any damage inflicted on the fields during their operations.
Mayor Lisa Gillmor emphasized the importance of ensuring that the turf field remains intact, stating, “This is the big rub, because if they have to replace that synthetic turf field, that will take six to nine months if we”re lucky.” She highlighted soccer”s popularity in the city and expressed her hope for a swift resolution, especially with upcoming events leading to the World Cup in June.
Back in the lead-up to Super Bowl 50, the Santa Clara Youth Soccer League took legal action against the NFL due to the short notice regarding field usage. This year, city officials indicated that discussions with youth soccer organizations and the NFL started as early as August. Robertson pointed out that with large-scale events, last-minute developments are common and expressed hope for building lasting partnerships. “We just want to make sure that the kids are not forgotten in the process, that”s all,” he said.
