Title
Consider/Discuss on a Request for the use of City-Owned Land for a 2026 World Cup Soccer Training Site
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
(5A: Create affordable recreational and cultural arts activities for all ages throughout the city)
(5B: Develop Parks strategy to preserve green space for future park land)
(5E: Develop sustainable quality of life improvements within the City of McKinney)
MEETING DATE: October 15, 2024
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
CONTACT: Amy Kinkade, Director of Parks and Recreation
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Discussion of the item.
• If Council is in favor of this partnership, Staff recommends issuing the Letter of Intent (LOI) in support of the FIFA application, and subject to the following conditions:
1. The construction of the field and any subsidiary uses such as parking, lighting, seating, etc. are in accordance with City of McKinney development regulations and processes which include but are not limited to the provisions set forth in the Unified Development Code and Engineering Design Manual;
2. City of McKinney bears no design, construction, maintenance, or permitting costs in this project, now or in the future; and
3. Execution of License Agreement for use of City-owned land.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The FIFA World Cup is coming to the United States in 2026, and the Dallas area is 1 of 26 qualifying host cities for matches.
• Team Base Camps are sites selected by FIFA and become the team’s “home away from home”, including where the teams eat, sleep and practice while not participating in matches.
• Inpower IQ has applied to FIFA to become a designated Training Site and has received preliminary approval via a Training Site Agreement with FIFA. Announcements for team/base camp selections will be announced in December 2025.
• Requirements to be considered a Training Site are: a FIFA-sized soccer field, lights, dressing rooms, stands for spectators, parking, catering facilities, security fencing, etc.
• Inpower IQ has the indoor facility requirements to be a Base Camp/Training Site, but it does not have an outdoor field. This fact is why they approached the City about utilizing a portion of City property.
• Inpower IQ has two requests:
1. A Letter of Intent (LOI) from the City supporting Inpower IQ’s full application package to FIFA; and
2. A License Agreement with the City to construct a soccer field situated partially on City land located immediately south of the StarCenter, as the City’s property is not large enough to accommodate the field.
• If Council is in favor of exploring a partnership, staff recommends issuing the LOI in support of the FIFA application; however, subject to the following conditions:
1. The construction of the FIFA-sized field and any subsidiary uses such as parking, lighting, seating, etc. being in accordance with City of McKinney development regulations and processes which shall include, but are not limited to, the provisions set forth in the Unified Development Code and Engineering Design Manual; and
2. The City of McKinney bears no design, construction or permitting costs in this project, now or in the future; and
3. Execution of License Agreement for use of City-owned land.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• Inpower IQ (formerly, the Michael Johnson Performance Center) facility offers customized athletic training for athletes and includes a recovery center, rehabilitation services and technology based predictive injury and movement assessments.
• The City-owned, 4-acre tract south of the StarCenter was originally purchased in 2017 with the intent to expand the StarCenter, however, there are no current plans for such expansion.
• The land is currently vacant with no City plans for immediate use; however, staff has discussed the possibility of a practice soccer field and pedestrian trail connectivity to the McKinney Soccer Complex. In addition, a cell tower lease on the eastern portion of the land will be coming forward to the City Council by the end of 2024.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY: N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: N/A