Toyota Stadium is a soccer stadium in Dallas, USA and serves as the home of Major League Soccer side FC Dallas. It is one of the few soccer specific stadiums in USA.
Toyota Stadium capacity is around 21,000. The stadium has changed its name numerous times after its inception. In 2013, Toyota won the rights to rename the stadium as Toyota stadium.
Toyota stadium is recognized as one of the best and upcoming stadiums with regard to the facilities and infrastructure. It has 17 tournament sized soccer practice fields, 18 luxury suites, permanent stage for hosting concerts and also facilities for other sports like American Football, rugby etc.
History
The history of the stadium is restricted to last 12 years only as it was built as recently as 2005. Despite its nascent history, it is still one of the oldest stadiums of MLS.
Since it was built in the city of Frisco, Texas, the stadium was initially named Frisco stadium. In 2005, Pizza Hut won the naming rights and the stadium was called Pizza Hut stadium till 2012.
The home team FC Dallas then took over the naming rights and renamed it FC Dallas stadium, before, finally in 2013, the current name was adopted.
The first game played here was between home team FC Dallas and Metrostars (current New York Red Bulls).
Major Matches
Toyota stadium was restricted to domestic matches until the venue was chosen as one of the hosts for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
It has also hosted two group stage matches in the recently concluded 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The stadium has had its share of sell outs. In an exhibition match between FC Dallas and Inter Milan in 2011, the total attendance was 21,193. In the MLS match between FC Dallas and LA Galaxy, record attendance of 22,565 saw that match.
Recent Matches and News
The stadium is a regular host of various domestic soccer events like MLS etc. for FC Dallas. It also hosted matches in 2016 Women’s CONCACAF qualifiers and 2017 Gold Cup.
Toyota stadium is set to undergo massive upgradation in 2018 which is about to cost more than half of what it took to build it. It will be home to National Soccer Hall of Fame museum.
There has been a huge debate related to the total expenditure involved in the proposed plan with questions raised over the cost benefit of it.
