Athletic Club Boise to Join USL Championship, Announces Stadium Expansion
Club’s move reflects Boise’s overwhelming support and continued investment in the future of professional soccer in Idaho
BOISE, ID — Athletic Club Boise today announced it will move from USL League One to the USL Championship for the 2027 season, bringing Division II professional soccer to Boise following the club’s inaugural season and the strong support it has received from fans, partners and the broader community.
The move will bring a higher level of professional competition to Idaho, matching Athletic Club Boise against some of the USL Championship’s most established clubs and expanding Boise’s presence on the national soccer stage. The club will compete alongside teams including Louisville City FC, Sacramento Republic FC and Phoenix Rising FC, with USL Championship matches reaching fans nationwide through the league’s broadcast partnerships with CBS Sports and ESPN.
“From the beginning, Boise has shown us that our community is ready to support something ambitious,” said Brad Stith, Co-Founder and CEO of Athletic Club Boise. “Our community has shown up big time. They’ve wrapped their arms around our players and our club, and that support is the driving force behind USL’s invitation to join Championship. Boise made this happen.”
In its inaugural year, Athletic Club Boise set a USL League One record with more than 6,000 season ticket sales before its first match and has gone on to sell out every home game. The club set a regular-season attendance record on June 20, 2026, welcoming 7,247 fans to Athletic Club Boise Stadium. Beyond the stadium, club matches have drawn more than 150,000 views across national, streaming and local broadcasts, while the club has built a social media following of nearly 45,000 and generated more than 17.3 million views since January.
“Athletic Club Boise has demonstrated what can happen when a club truly connects with its community,” said Jeremy Alumbaugh, President of the USL Championship. “The support and energy surrounding the club in Boise have been remarkable, and that strong foundation makes this a natural next step. We’re excited to welcome Athletic Club Boise to the USL Championship and look forward to seeing the club, its supporters and the entire Boise soccer community take this next step together.”
As Athletic Club Boise prepares for USL Championship soccer, the club is also making a significant investment in its home. Before the start of the 2027 season, 3,000 seats will be added to the east side of the pitch for use by both men’s and women’s teams. Construction will also begin on a new practice pitch and state-of-the-art training facility. The expansion will create room for more supporters to experience Athletic Club Boise soccer while building the infrastructure needed for the club’s next chapter.
