Winning Year For Kraft Extends Beyond the NFL
Robert Kraft enjoyed a resurgence on the field with his New England Patriots, and now that momentum has carried over into one of his long-running off-field pursuits. Kraft has received approval to move forward with plans to build a 25,000-seat soccer stadium for his Major League Soccer franchise, the New England Revolution, in Everett, Massachusetts. The site sits just outside Boston’s city limits and represents the most concrete progress Kraft has made in more than two decades of searching for a permanent home for his soccer team.
The project is the result of a multi-jurisdictional agreement involving Everett and Boston. Under the terms of the deal, the land slated for the stadium will undergo significant environmental remediation. That cleanup includes the demolition of a long-abandoned power plant that has dominated the site for years. While the local agreements are in place, the demolition plan still requires approval from the state before work can begin.
Addressing Infrastructure and Financing
Traffic concerns were among the major hurdles facing the proposal. Stadium events would bring large crowds into an already busy area, raising questions about congestion and accessibility. According to officials, those issues have been addressed through a transportation plan that includes accommodations for pedestrian traffic, bicycles, and automobiles.
In addition to infrastructure solutions, the parties involved have agreed on a financial framework to fund construction of the stadium. While specific dollar figures have not been publicly detailed, the agreement clears another major obstacle that has stalled past proposals. With land use, traffic, and financing aligned, the Everett plan marks the closest Kraft has come to delivering a soccer-specific venue for the Revolution.
A Two-Decade Search for a Home
Kraft’s pursuit of a stadium for his MLS franchise dates back nearly 20 years. In 2007, he explored a proposal in Somerville, but the plan failed to gain traction. Two years later, Somerville reemerged as a possibility, only to stall again.
In 2014, Kraft shifted his focus to South Boston, where early discussions never materialized into a deal. Dorchester became the next target in 2017, but negotiations collapsed before any agreement could be reached. That same year, Kraft Group president Jonathan Kraft expressed optimism that land in downtown Boston would finally secure a home for the Revolution. Despite that confidence, no deal was finalized.
Everett Emerges as the Answer
The focus on Everett began in 2022, and progress came slowly. Negotiations stretched over several years and reached a critical point late in 2025. December 31st marked the final day before the matter would have gone to arbitration. Instead, the sides reached an agreement just in time, avoiding legal proceedings and keeping the project alive.
For Kraft, the Everett stadium represents persistence rewarded. After years of failed attempts across Greater Boston, the Revolution now appear poised to finally receive a purpose-built home, bringing Major League Soccer closer to the urban core and closing a long chapter in Kraft’s search for stability in his soccer venture.
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