“We’re Building a Legacy”: Rhode Island FC President David Peart on Stadium Strategy, Community Impact, and Brand Growth

As Rhode Island FC enters a landmark moment in its journey with the opening of the new Centreville Bank Stadium, President David Peart sat down with iSportConnect’s Taruka to discuss how the club is aligning commercial success with community-driven values. From strategic partnerships and fan-first innovation to lessons from global stadium projects, Peart sheds light on how RIFC is building a sustainable future both on and off the pitch.

What does the naming-rights partnership with Centreville Bank signify for Rhode Island FC at this pivotal stage in the club’s journey?

The naming-rights partnership with Centreville Bank comes at a truly transformative moment for Rhode Island FC. With the opening of our new home, Centreville Bank Stadium, this partnership is both strategic and deeply symbolic. As a nearly 200-year-old, Rhode Island-based institution known for its community leadership and local investment, Centreville Bank is the ideal partner to help usher in this next chapter.

This collaboration reflects our shared values, including civic pride, economic revitalization and a lasting commitment to the Ocean State. Together, we are building a legacy. Centreville Bank’s long-term investment helps elevate every aspect of the fan and community experience and reinforces our mission to create something meaningful that resonates far beyond gameday.

Can you share insights into how this deal was structured and why Centreville Bank was the right fit for your stadium’s identity?

What truly set Centreville Bank apart was the alignment of values. As a Rhode Island institution, it understands what this stadium represents: a beacon of community pride, opportunity and a shared future. From the earliest conversations, both sides committed to a long-term vision. 

The structure of our partnership goes beyond naming rights. Centreville Bank is embedded in the gameday experience, investing in outreach efforts such as accessible ticketing programs and maintaining a physical presence adjacent to the stadium. These efforts reinforce the idea that this is a shared space meant to serve the broader Rhode Island community. 

With the stadium opening this month, how are you ensuring it becomes more than just a venue—something that truly connects with the Rhode Island community?

From day one, we set out to create a year-round gathering place. We like to say that the venue is created for “soccer and more.” With a capacity of up to 17,000 fans for open-air concerts, Centreville Bank Stadium’s flexible design supports a wide range of sports and entertainment events in a space that feels both intimate and high-end. It is a hub for connection, celebration and community identity. Centreville Bank Stadium was designed to reflect that in both form and function.    

As Rhode Island’s first soccer-specific stadium and only professional venue of its kind, its importance reaches far beyond sport. We’ve already welcomed thousands of fans through our gates, including a sold-out crowd for our opening game on May 3, demonstrating a strong appetite for professional soccer and shared civic experiences in the region. 

We’re looking forward to hosting local, regional, and national events, working with community organizations, and collaborating with nonprofits to bring diverse programming to the venue. From Women’s Elite Rugby and the 2025 Major League Rugby Championship to concerts, festivals and winter activations like ice hockey, our intent is for this to be a space that welcomes everyone.

We’re also proud to be delivering broader impact through new job opportunities for residents. Hundreds of jobs have been created through the project so far, from construction to ongoing operations. We’re aligned with the broader vision for the Tidewater Landing development, which is transforming the riverfront into a thriving residential and commercial district with prestigious real estate partners Wood Partners and Pennrose. This vision makes the stadium an anchor in much larger economic growth.

What are your expectations from this state-of-the-art stadium in terms of fan engagement, commercial opportunities, and long-term growth?

We expect Centreville Bank Stadium to be a cornerstone of RIFC’s long-term success. Engaging fans and building civic pride is central to us. The stadium was built to create an exceptional fan experience, offering state-of-the-art amenities, greater accessibility, and a more immersive environment. We anticipate that this will strengthen our connection with existing fans while attracting new supporters.

Commercially, the stadium offers considerable flexibility. It is a multifaceted asset with broad commercial potential. Beyond soccer, it can easily host a wide variety of events, from concerts and festivals to non-sporting community activities. This versatility creates new revenue streams and positions Centreville Bank Stadium as a year-round asset for both the club and the broader Rhode Island economy.

Long-term, the stadium elevates our brand visibility on a national and international scale, enabling us to attract high-value brand partnerships. The enhanced broadcast capabilities and top-tier presentation standard will position RIFC as a leader in the USL Championship.

How important is local business integration in your commercial strategy, and how are you engaging with regional stakeholders beyond naming rights?

Local business integration is foundational to our commercial strategy. On gamedays and beyond, the stadium serves as a platform for Rhode Island vendors, restaurants and service providers to showcase their offerings to thousands of fans. 

We’ve also partnered with schools, youth programs and nonprofits to ensure Centreville Bank Stadium supports education, access and inclusion. These efforts extend to the broader Tidewater Landing development, which will include housing, retail and public spaces — all connected to the stadium and contributing to a cohesive civic experience and ecosystem.

What role do partnerships like this play in building long-term sustainability for a club in the USL Championship?

In the USL Championship, strategic partnerships are essential to building a club that is financially stable, operationally efficient and deeply embedded in its community. These relationships extend far beyond sponsorship; they are critical drivers of growth, impact and resilience.

Valuable partnerships also support clubs to scale their community engagement by co-developing programs that have local relevance. This might include youth development initiatives, social responsibility campaigns, or regional marketing activations. For Rhode Island FC, this has meant partnering with organizations that align with our values and vision for the community, and integrating those relationships into how we operate. This is exemplified through efforts such as accessible ticketing programs, gameday activations, and local business inclusion in stadium programming.

Are there any unique fan experiences or community-focused initiatives planned around the new stadium opening?

Delivering a best-in-class fan experience and creating a true community destination has been at the heart of our stadium planning from day one, and it has already begun. From the very first game, which was a sold-out success, we’ve focused on delivering an exceptional, fan-first experience. We’ve incorporated new technology into the gameday experience to create a smoother and more enjoyable visit. The stadium operates entirely cash-free, with digital platforms for parking, ticketing and concessions. In addition, we’ve introduced “Just Walk Out” markets across the stadium, where fans can grab snacks or drinks and return to their seats quickly, without waiting in traditional lines.

The stadium itself was built with community use in mind. Beyond soccer, we are activating the space year-round, hosting major events like Women’s Elite Rugby, the upcoming 2025 Major League Rugby Championship and holiday winter programming.

As you open this new chapter, what lessons have you drawn from other USL clubs or global teams that have recently launched stadium projects?

When we embarked on the journey to build Centreville Bank Stadium, we looked closely at the strategies of other successful USL clubs and global teams that recently launched new stadiums. One of the key lessons was the importance of designing a flexible, multi-purpose venue that could serve not only as the home for a soccer club but also as a hub for community and commercial activity. We have made a conscious effort to build a stadium that can host a wide range of events year-round.

Another important takeaway has been the emphasis on fan experience. Teams that succeed in creating an atmosphere that blends professional amenities with a sense of local identity are able to foster stronger, more loyal fan bases. Centreville Bank Stadium was designed with this in mind, incorporating features like premium seating, accessible areas and fan-first technologies to create a welcoming and enjoyable environment for all.

Lastly, we’ve learned the importance of community integration. Building strong local ties, as demonstrated by other teams, helps create a sustainable business model while also ensuring that the stadium truly belongs to the community.

How do you see Rhode Island FC’s brand evolving within the next three years—on and off the pitch?

Over the next three years, we see the RIFC brand evolving into a nationally recognized leader in the sport. On the pitch, we will continue to build a competitive team that competes at the highest levels of the USL Championship, regularly contending for trophies. As we grow our fan base and enhance the gameday experience, RIFC will become synonymous with quality soccer and a strong community presence.

Off the pitch, we see the club’s brand expanding into new areas of business and community engagement. Centreville Bank Stadium will be a key asset in driving this growth. Its multi-use capabilities will allow us to engage new audiences, while our community-first initiatives will continue to establish us as a trusted institution in Rhode Island. We will focus on increasing commercial opportunities, fostering brand partnerships and expanding our visibility through improved media coverage and broadcast capabilities.