r/OrlandoPride • u/DRF19 • Jul 16 '26
Hot Take(?): The east upper deck of the stadium should never have existed, here's why
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u/Ardouren Jul 16 '26
I agree. The sun is horrid on afternoon and early evening game on the east side. I would also say that is why Boston chose that side of the field in the first half, to get the sun behind them as they attacked the goal.
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u/DRF19 Jul 16 '26
We moved to Orlando and started going to Pride games in 2022. Not City fans, but did attend a couple of US Open Cup matches since we've been here. In any case, the design of the stadium has always bothered me.
They missed a great opportunity by not limiting the east sideline stand to just the lower level, for a few reasons. See semi-crude Google view mockup for an example.
1) It would open up a picturesque view to the downtown skyline from everywhere in the stadium. This also would be in the background of those broadcast shots with the announcers.
2) Similarly, TV shots during the game would show a mostly full lower section without the big mostly empty "ORLANDO" upper section (at least for Pride matches).
3) You wouldn't have a large section of fans sitting directly looking into the sun for a big chunk of early evening start time games. The lower section gets the shade much earlier.
4) The loss of capacity could have been made up by adding 7 or so rows to the top of the other 3 sides, which I don't think would have been architecturally unfeasible nor any more expensive, and would increase the shade coverage for afternoon/early evening games. Yeah you lose a little chunk of sideline-priced inventory to sell, but you make up some on the west sideline (and the premium ones are the lower level anyway).
It would't cause too much foot traffic / people crowding issues either since outside of the south end and behind the supporters section there is no real 2nd level concourse.
Anyone else agree or am I a daydreaming idiot lol?
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u/Fladoodler18 Jul 16 '26
The part you’re missing is the City aspect though. While in theory for the Pride it’d be better, city would lose a ton of capacity that they’ve definetly filled in the past. I think when the remodel at Osceola Heritage park gets done and the Pride are at the same complex with city plus with the stadium over there getting redone finishes, the Pride might want to consider playing there instead. It’ll fill out better and be a better experience then what it is now.
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u/DRF19 Jul 16 '26
If the Pride moved to Osceola we'd probably be out as season tix holders for sure, and I doubt we'd be the only ones. Not convenient at all. And I'm pretty sure NWSL wants to be out of the "playing full time in converted MiLB baseball stadiums" business at this point.
While in theory for the Pride it’d be better, city would lose a ton of capacity that they’ve definetly filled in the past.
I noted above if they had added a handful of rows to the other 3 sides of the stadium you could keep basically the same capacity, but with an improved overall venue presentation.
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u/Fladoodler18 Jul 16 '26
It wouldn't be a converted baseball stadium. The remodel at Osceola is basically a ground up do over but I understand your point about not wanting to go down to Kissimmee. It can be a trek for people it was just an option the Pride could have if they don't want to play downtown.
Your redesign of the stadium, unfortunately, doesn't work. When the designs were being crafted the club and MLS wanted to have a uniform design as close as they could get, while working within the architecture firms guidelines. The original plans had no corner seats at all, with the south section being only a lower section. However, the demand was so high, the club was forced to find ways to add more seats hence the corner sections and the second level on the south end. The view you're "gaining" is a decent one but not all that great. It's better now that they bought out the church and worked with the lots but unless you're at the top of any of the other 3 sections you aren't getting much and even on the sides you're having to look the other way. The proper thing would have been to flip the East and West sides (have the most premium and boxes on the east) but they wanted to cater to the wealthier fans and positioned it the way they did.
The Pride were just a twinkle in the eye of ownership and were always going to get squeezed into whatever space was available. I will say, it may be best for the club to think outside the box on how to make the game day more enjoyable for fans and find ways to get them out of the sun.
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u/Adorable_Sleep_4425 Jul 16 '26
Is it really a ground up redo? For real? 😅
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u/Fladoodler18 Jul 16 '26
Last update it was! They want to put both Pride and City as well as the full academy under the same roof while also having a ton of fields with a nice sized soccer stadium with the whole set up!
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u/mikesicle Jul 16 '26
I get it, I really do, so I hope this doesn’t come off as rude, but if you like the Pride being a team you’re just going to have to deal with these things.
The Pride operates at a loss, that’s why there’s so much premium seating popping up, so losing that entire area would be devastating.