PAWTUCKET, RI – Rhode Island FC, the state’s new professional USL Championship club, sold more than 1,000 season ticket deposits in the first hour that deposits were on sale. Season ticket deposits went on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m., the day after the club unveiled its team name and crest. As part of yesterday’s name and crest reveal, the club visited all 39 of Rhode Island’s cities and towns.

Fans can make a deposit on season tickets at www.RhodeIslandFC.com.

“Rhode Island FC is a team for all Rhode Island. Rhode Island has been – in our view – the best soccer market in the world without a professional club. The enthusiasm we have seen over the last 24 hours has been overwhelming and validates our strong commitment to Rhode Island,” said Rhode Island FC co-founder Brett Johnson. “Our fans will turn out every night and propel our club to compete for championships from Day One. In just our first hour, more than 1,000 season tickets deposits were placed, which is one of the strongest – and possibly the historically strongest – one-hour deposit sales in USL history. We could not have done that without such a strong base of soccer fans and Rhode Islanders who have wanted nothing more than a team to call their own. Deposits are still on sale and we look forward to making Rhode Island the toughest stadium in the league for away teams to visit.”

Rhode Island FC will compete in USL Championship beginning in the 2024 season. The club will host its matches in a state-of-the-art soccer stadium currently under construction along the Pawtucket waterfront. Season ticket deposits for the inaugural Rhode Island FC season went on sale at 10:00 a.m. today. Deposits are $24 per seat. Up to ten deposits may be placed per account. As a Season Ticket Holder, benefits include exclusive events, merchandise and a seat for the club’s historic 2024 Inaugural Opening Night. Fans can visit www.RhodeIslandFC.com to make deposits.

Rhode Island FC honors the state’s rich soccer history which goes all the way back to the 1800s. The city of Pawtucket was instrumental in the development of the sport in New England. Some of the best European talent of the day played alongside Americans as well as new immigrants to the area. Within walking distance of Rhode Island FC’s future home, championship teams such as J & P Coats FC, Pawtucket Rangers and the American Cup-winning Pawtucket Free Wanderers played to crowds of thousands. Rhode Island was also home to the first professional African American soccer players in the United States. Oliver and Fred Watson played for teams in the Pawtucket area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Their house still stands in Pawtucket to this day.