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Jesse Jones, City Desk ABQ — The proposed New Mexico United stadium has been delayed as the team’s plan for a new home at Balloon Fiesta Park sits in the state appeals process, awaiting assignment to a three-judge panel.
Because of the legal delay, United would not move into a new stadium until 2028 at the earliest. To bridge the gap, the team extended its lease at the city’s Isotopes Park through 2029. The Albuquerque City Council approved the lease 7-2 in November 2023. Councilor Brook Bassan, who represents the district that includes Balloon Fiesta Park, was one of the two “no” votes.
Mayor Tim Keller announced on Sept. 29 that construction would begin “this winter” with a 2028 opening target. No groundbreaking has occurred as the project remains on hold until the court issues a final ruling. While city officials have stayed silent on the active Court of Appeals case, they are hiring a contractor to evaluate site preparation.
The City Council approved $30 million in bonds in February 2025, but the money is effectively on hold. The deal also includes a 20-year property tax exemption, though the city projects the stadium will generate net positive tax revenue over time.
The project is expected to create 310 construction jobs and 53 permanent positions. Under the public-private partnership, the city provides the land and $13.5 million for infrastructure such as water and sewer. United is responsible for at least $30 million in private funding to build the stadium.
Under the 30-year lease, United pays the city $35,000 annually plus 10% of parking revenue. At the end of the lease, the city takes ownership of the stadium for $1. The team is prohibited from hosting home games during the International Balloon Fiesta in October.
Opponents filed their final brief Feb. 6, clearing the way for the Court of Appeals to assign the case to a panel. Once assigned, the court typically takes six to 12 months to issue a decision, according to a court spokesperson. The project’s lease and city rules bar building permits until all legal appeals are resolved.
The dispute centers on how the land is used. Neighborhood associations for Wildflower, Maria Diers and the North Edith Corridor argue a 10,000-seat stadium is an “extraordinary facility” that would spoil the North Valley’s rural feel. They note the 2012 Balloon Fiesta Park master plan originally prohibited outdoor stadiums due to noise concerns — a ban the city reversed for this project.
The city and United call the privately funded stadium a “best-in-class” amenity that fills a local entertainment gap without using municipal general funds for construction. Beyond 17 annual home games, the stadium is approved for up to 100 events per year, including concerts and festivals.
The case reached the Court of Appeals after District Judge Erin O’Connell dismissed a neighborhood lawsuit last July. The court denied a rehearing later that month, prompting opponents to appeal in August 2025. The groups argued the city overstepped by bypassing a board recommendation, but the judge ruled the city acted within its authority.
United began searching for a permanent home in 2020 after outgrowing Isotopes Park. Despite playing in a baseball stadium, the team averaged 9,723 fans per game last season, ranking second in the United Soccer League Championship. After voters rejected a taxpayer-funded downtown stadium in 2021, United shifted focus to Balloon Fiesta Park.
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