On April 1, Chris Richards In Partnership with Birmingham Legion FC, US Soccer Federation and FIFA opened the first ‘FIFA Arena Mini Pitch’ in North America at the Powell Steam Plant.
This project is part of FIFA’s global initiative tied to the 2026 World Cup, focused on creating more access to the game through small-sided pitches in communities around the world. Birmingham is the first city in North America to bring this to life, with Oakland, California set to follow as the second U.S. location.
This project was brought to Birmingham by Chris Richards in partnership with FIFA and U.S. Soccer, with a clear intention to give something back to the city he calls home. From there, we took the lead locally to bring it to life, with Stephanie Wood, Vice President of Marketing and Fan Engagement at Birmingham Legion FC, overseeing the project on the ground from early planning through to delivery.
The pitch was originally planned for Railroad Park, but that shifted once the opportunity came up to collaborate with KultureCity and co-founder Julian Maha. That alignment made sense from the start. It allowed us to build something that reflects a shared belief that soccer, and sport more broadly, should be accessible to everyone.
“When the opportunity came up to work alongside KultureCity, it just made sense. We couldn’t think of a better partner to align with on this. The goal is simple, soccer and sport should be for everybody, and this was a chance to build that in from day one,” said Stephanie Wood.
Guests arrived into a fully activated space. Food trucks lined the site, a Coca-Cola hydration station kept people moving, and custom cocktails gave the night its own identity. A live DJ set the tone throughout the evening, with DJ New Era on the decks, bringing energy across the entire space.
KultureCity was fully integrated into the experience, with sensory activation zones, SAVs on site, and sensory bags available, ensuring the event was accessible and inclusive for all attendees.
A special video message from FIFA President Gianni Infantino was shared during the program, reinforcing the long-term vision behind projects like this and the role Birmingham now plays within that.
We kept the structure simple. Media scrum prior to guest arrivals, VIP remarks, a ribbon cutting, and then straight into play.
“This is a true investment from Chris. He came to us and said there’s a need for more places to play in my hometown and asked how we could make that happen. He truly drove this project, and we’re grateful to support him in it,” said Lex Chalat, Executive Director of USSF Soccer Forward Foundation.
The first matches were 5v5, with local youth, including players from NorthStar Ministries, taking on an all-star side made up of Chris Richards, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, represented on the field by Chris’ younger brother, Birmingham Legion FC owner Rik Tozzi, and Nora Dooley of U.S. Soccer.
That was always the goal, to open the space by using it.
“For me, this was always about coming home and creating something that lasts. A place where kids can show up, play, and feel like they belong in the game,” said Chris Richards.
What people saw that night was the finished version. What they didn’t see was the work behind it.
“This project wasn’t simple. What people saw at the opening took months of work behind the scenes, a lot of problem solving, and a team willing to keep pushing to get it over the line,” said Wood.
There were a lot of moving parts behind the scenes, across global partners, local organizations, and teams on the ground working through the details to make it happen.
We closed the night the same way we opened it, with the community at the center. A Birmingham send-off for Chris Richards ahead of the World Cup, capped with a fireworks show from the top of the Steam Plant, bringing the entire space together.
Now the work begins.
Birmingham Legion FC will own the space from here and lead programming on the pitch alongside the community partners, building consistent, accessible opportunities to play. Through our Learning with Legion school programs already in place, we’ll work closely with local school boards, educators, and community partners to keep the pitch active and open to everyone.
“This is when it becomes real. When kids are on the field, playing, competing, enjoying it. That’s what this is built for, and that’s what we’ll keep building around,” said Jay Heaps, Head Coach and CEO of Birmingham Legion FC.
“Now that the pitch is open, it’s about making sure it’s used. This is where it becomes part of the community, with consistent programming, real access, and opportunities for players to show up and be part of the game,” said Stephanie Wood.
Plans are already underway for an adult pickup league, creating a safe and inclusive space for people of all ages to be part of the game.
This is something we’ll continue to build, grow, and show up for every day.
