Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park

Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park is a soccer-specific stadium located in Cary, North Carolina, and is home to the North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage teams, which compete in the USL Championship and National Women's Soccer League respectively. The stadium has hosted numerous high-profile events, including matches featuring the United States men's national soccer team and the United States women's national soccer team, as well as concerts and festivals. The stadium is situated within the WakeMed Soccer Park complex, which also includes several practice fields and a North Carolina FC Youth academy. The complex is owned and operated by the Town of Cary, in partnership with North Carolina FC and other local organizations, including the Cary Chamber of Commerce and the Raleigh-Durham Sports Commission.

● History

The stadium was opened in 2002, with the first match being played between the Raleigh Flyers and the Richmond Kickers, two teams that competed in the A-League (1995-2004). Since then, the stadium has undergone several renovations and expansions, including the addition of new seating and amenities, such as the WakeMed Soccer Park complex's Cary Amphitheatre and the North Carolina FC team store. The stadium has hosted numerous notable events, including the 2005 USL First Division championship match, which featured the Seattle Sounders FC and the Richmond Kickers, as well as the 2012 USL Pro championship match, which featured the Charleston Battery and the Wilmington Hammerheads. The stadium has also hosted matches featuring top-level teams from Major League Soccer, including the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls, as well as international teams, such as the Mexican national football team and the English national football team.

● Design and Features

The stadium features a natural grass playing surface, which is maintained by a team of groundskeepers from the Town of Cary and North Carolina FC. The stadium's seating capacity is approximately 10,000, with the option to expand to 20,000 for larger events, such as concerts and festivals. The stadium's design includes a unique cantilevered roof that provides shade and protection from the elements for spectators, as well as a state-of-the-art sound system and video scoreboard. The stadium is also equipped with a variety of amenities, including concession stands, restrooms, and a team store featuring merchandise from North Carolina FC and other local teams, such as the Carolina Hurricanes and the North Carolina Tar Heels. The stadium's design and features have been recognized with several awards, including the 2003 Sports Turf Managers Association "Field of the Year" award and the 2012 American Sports Builders Association "Outstanding Sports Facility" award.

● Tenants

The stadium is home to the North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage teams, which compete in the USL Championship and National Women's Soccer League respectively. The stadium has also hosted matches featuring other local teams, including the Carolina RailHawks and the Triangle Futbol Club, as well as top-level teams from Major League Soccer, such as the D.C. United and the Chicago Fire SC. The stadium has also been used as a training facility by the United States men's national soccer team and the United States women's national soccer team, as well as other international teams, such as the Brazilian national football team and the German national football team. The stadium is also used by local colleges and universities, including North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, for soccer matches and other events, such as the Atlantic Coast Conference men's soccer tournament.

● Events

The stadium has hosted numerous high-profile events, including matches featuring the United States men's national soccer team and the United States women's national soccer team, as well as concerts and festivals. The stadium has also hosted the USL Championship final, the National Women's Soccer League championship match, and the NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship. The stadium has also been used as a venue for the CONCACAF Champions League and the U.S. Open Cup, featuring teams such as the Seattle Sounders FC and the Houston Dynamo. The stadium has also hosted matches featuring top-level teams from Major League Soccer, such as the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls, as well as international teams, such as the Mexican national football team and the English national football team. The stadium is also used for other events, such as the Cary Greenway Trail festival and the North Carolina FC summer camp, which features coaching and instruction from North Carolina FC players and staff, including Dave Sarachan and Paul Riley.

● Location and Accessibility

The stadium is located in Cary, North Carolina, within the WakeMed Soccer Park complex, which is situated near the intersection of NC Highway 55 and I-40. The stadium is accessible by car, with several parking lots and garages available, including the WakeMed Soccer Park parking garage and the Cary Towne Center parking lot. The stadium is also accessible by public transportation, with several bus routes and GoTriangle stops nearby, including the Cary Station and the Research Triangle Park station. The stadium is also within walking distance of several hotels and restaurants, including the Hilton Garden Inn and the The Cheesecake Factory, as well as other local attractions, such as the Cary Greenway Trail and the Marla Dorrel Park. The stadium's location and accessibility make it an ideal venue for events and matches, with easy access to Raleigh-Durham International Airport and other nearby cities, including Raleigh, North Carolina and Durham, North Carolina.