Senate Leader Says 'Not Much Chance' for Indianapolis MLS Stadium

Lack of financing and ownership group raise doubts about bringing Major League Soccer to the city.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray said on February 12th that there seems to be little chance of Indianapolis securing a Major League Soccer (MLS) team and stadium, citing difficulties in finding the necessary financial numbers to make it work. Mayor Joe Hogsett's administration has been pursuing an MLS expansion team and 20,000-seat downtown stadium, but positive developments have been sparse, with no ownership group publicly emerging and the city's purchase of a potential stadium site stalling amid legal challenges.

Why it matters

Indianapolis has been eager to join MLS, seeing it as a way to boost the city's profile and attract more investment and tourism. However, the lack of a clear financing plan and committed ownership group have been major obstacles, raising doubts about whether the city will be able to meet the league's requirements to join by 2028, a timeline set by Mayor Hogsett.

The details

Senate leader Rodric Bray said the "math isn't working" for an MLS stadium in Indianapolis. The city has been trying to acquire land for a potential stadium site, but the purchase of a downtown heliport has stalled due to legal challenges from the state Attorney General and a local billionaire. Meanwhile, a potential ownership group has yet to publicly emerge, and specific financial commitments are lacking. Experts say Indianapolis needs three key elements to join MLS: a solid ownership group, a soccer-specific stadium, and strong fan and corporate support.

  • On February 12, 2026, Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray said the prospects for an MLS stadium in Indianapolis were dim.
  • In mid-2024, Mayor Joe Hogsett pledged the city would submit a formal bid to MLS for an expansion team.
  • In December 2025, the Capital Improvement Board selected a firm to do pre-construction planning for a potential stadium.

The players

Rodric Bray

The Republican Senate President Pro Tempore of Indiana, who expressed skepticism about the chances of an MLS stadium in Indianapolis.

Joe Hogsett

The mayor of Indianapolis, who has made bringing an MLS team and stadium to the city a priority of his administration.

Todd Rokita

The Indiana Attorney General, who has objected to the city's purchase of a downtown heliport site that was eyed as a potential stadium location.

Chuck Surack

A Fort Wayne billionaire who owns a flight chartering company and bought a hotel near the heliport site, stifling the city's redevelopment plans.

Don Garber

The Commissioner of Major League Soccer, who met with Indiana Governor Mike Braun about the prospect of an Indianapolis expansion team.

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What they’re saying

“Doesn't look like there's much chance there. I think they're having a hard time finding the numbers that work.”

— Rodric Bray, Senate President Pro Tempore (IndyStar)

“Lots of people were telling me it didn't make sense.”

— Chuck Surack, Investor in Indy Eleven (IndyStar)

What’s next

If the city wants to open a soccer stadium by 2028, a priority for Mayor Hogsett, the lengthy construction process needs to begin this year. The Capital Improvement Board is currently working on pre-construction planning to help nail down the cost of building a stadium, expected to be in the hundreds of millions.

The takeaway

Indianapolis' pursuit of an MLS expansion team and stadium faces significant hurdles, with a lack of a committed ownership group, clear financing plan, and skepticism from state lawmakers about the viability of the project. The city will need to address these challenges if it hopes to bring top-tier professional soccer to the city by the end of the decade.