(Editor’s note: This is the 11th installment in a weekly series spotlighting Rhode Island FC and Centreville Bank Stadium from a business perspective throughout the 2025 United Soccer League Championship season. To read past stories in this series, click here.) PAWTUCKET – Within Rhode Island’s northern half, the Blackstone Valley epitomizes history and culture. Many
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BLACKSTONE VALLEY TOURISM COUNCIL Executive Director James Toomey says that even when Rhode Island FC played last year at Bryant University in Smithfield, pictured, was "very important" for the club to stay in Blackstone Valley because of the community that is here and the fans that support them. / PBN FILE PHOTO / JAMES BESSETTE[/caption]
“The news [in early 2024] about the stadium going to be delayed and needing to find a new home – Beirne Stadium at Bryant – it was very important to stay here in Blackstone Valley because of the community that is here and the fans that support them,” he said. “It’s been amazing to have them here. We’ve definitely seen a lot of people coming out for those games and staying. We’re certain it’s going to continue to grow.”
Toomey also said he didn’t notice any skepticism whether or not professional soccer would work when Rhode Island FC formally began planting its roots more than five years ago. He first viewed it as “exciting” because soccer is considered a “growing sport” in the U.S.
Coupled with Rhode Island FC advancing to the United Soccer League Championship final in the club’s inaugural year, Toomey felt more assured that the new sport will take hold in the Ocean State, he said.
Furthermore, council officials are looking to have professional soccer be a jumping-off point to attract more visitors when the sport’s largest international tournament – the FIFA World Cup – comes to the area next summer. Toomey said council officials have been meeting with hotel partners “for a while” to find ways to promote the valley. Also, several area hotel rooms are now booked for the World Cup in 2026, he said.
But Toomey is hoping the World Cup blitz and Rhode Island FC hype can catapult the valley to being a hot spot well beyond the summer of 2026.
“If it’s creating new parks, new trails, new pitches for youth soccer or building up those types of things for our community and bringing them together, that’s the ultimate goal for me more than just how many people stay in Blackstone Valley and go up to Massachusetts,” he said. “There’s a lot of priceless stuff that could be happening there. If people are open-minded and willing to check some stuff out.”