​Construction has begun on Detroit City Football Club’s (DCFC) new 15,000-seat stadium, AlumniFi Field, which will be built on the former Southwest Detroit Hospital site in Michigan, United States. The development represents a major milestone in DCFC’s planned stadium project, valued at more than $150 million, and forms part of a broader $200 million mixed-use redevelopment designed to transform the area into a year-round hub for sports and entertainment.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, representatives from DCFC’s development partners, and various civic and project leaders. DCFC co-founder and CEO Sean Mann commented, “As a club built from the ground up by Detroiters, this moment reflects years of work, belief and investment from our supporters and partners. Breaking ground on AlumniFi Field brings us one step closer to creating a forever home for our supporters and a development that reflects the pride, history and future of this city.”
In addition to the stadium, the wider redevelopment planned for the site, which DCFC acquired in 2024, includes a 421-space parking facility and a 104-unit residential building featuring 76 affordable housing units. The Detroit City Council unanimously approved the project in November 2025 after the Community Benefits Ordinance process. The agreement includes more than $2.27 million in commitments to the local community, such as $1.2 million for neighborhood organizations and 3,000 annual free tickets for nearby residents. It also establishes a minimum wage of $17 per hour with local hiring priorities, a $200,000 revolving loan fund to support small businesses, and investments in public art, transportation, and pedestrian safety.
April Clobes, president and CEO of AlumniFi’s naming rights sponsor and official financial partner, stated, “We’re proud to partner with Detroit City FC on a development that honors the history of this site while creating new opportunities for the city of Detroit. At AlumniFi, we believe strong communities start with financial well-being, and we’re committed to helping people build the generational wealth needed to thrive and achieve their dreams.” Mayor Sheffield added, “This is exactly the kind of neighborhood investment we want to see across Detroit. This property sat vacant for far too long; now this redevelopment is creating lasting benefits for Detroiters. It will extend beyond the project itself, with direct support for neighborhood organizations, local hiring, small businesses, and improvements that residents will benefit from for years to come.”
The stadium project is anticipated to create around 1,030 construction jobs and 142 permanent full-time positions. Additionally, nearly 6,000 seat deposits have already been placed for the 2028 season. DCFC and its partners intend to honor the legacy of the former hospital, historically recognized as the first facility in Detroit to publicly acknowledge African American contributions, as part of their broader SEO and community development narrative.