ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United’s plan to bring a new soccer-specific stadium to Balloon Fiesta Park took a major step forward on Monday night as a lease agreement between the club and the City of Albuquerque was approved by Albuquerque City Council by a 7-2 margin.

The venue, which will be privately funded by the club, is set to have a capacity between 8,000 to 10,000 seats. The stadium will be located in a seven-acre lot east of the Balloon Field Park launch field, with planning for construction now set to move ahead.

“We are excited that the Council has approved a lease that allows New Mexico United to move forward with the construction of a privately-funded stadium that will be for all New Mexicans,” said United Owner/President Peter Trevisani. “We still have a lot of work to do, and are honored to represent our incredible state. Somos Unidos.”

Monday’s vote – which had initially been postponed for more discussion in October – was preceded by an 8-1 vote in favor of the project last week by the Environmental Planning Commission, which recommended approving the stadium’s construction. The approval of the City Council was greeted warmly by Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller.

“Scoring a pro soccer stadium in Albuquerque is a big win for families,” said Keller in a statement. “We listened to voters, worked together, and now the ultimate goal is one step closer to being realized.”

New Mexico United has been one of the best-attended clubs in the USL Championship since its launch in the 2019 season. During the 2023 regular season, United averaged a crowd of 9,619 fans at Isotopes Park, the fourth-highest average in the league.

The new venue will join the growing number of soccer-specific venues set to arrive in the USL Championship in the coming years, joining recently opened venues such as Louisville City FC’s Lynn Family Stadium, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Weider Field, and Monterey Bay F.C.’s Cardinale Stadium.