World Wide Technology Soccer Park
Overview
World Wide Technology Soccer Park (formerly Anheuser-Busch Center, originally St. Louis Soccer Park) is a premier soccer complex located at 1 Soccer Park Road, Fenton, Missouri (southwest St. Louis metro). The facility features a 5,500-seat stadium (West Community Stadium) and five playing fields.
Ownership & Operations
Owner: St. Louis Scott Gallagher Foundation (since 2011)
Acquisition history:
- 1982: Opened as “St. Louis Soccer Park” with Anheuser-Busch funding
- 1985-2009: Purchased by Anheuser-Busch, renamed “Anheuser-Busch Center”
- 2009-2011: Jeff Cooper’s St. Louis Soccer United held ownership
- 2011: World Wide Technology executives financed the $1.9M acquisition on behalf of SLSG
2012 renovation: $1.5M investment including turf field replacements, Bermuda grass replanting, scoreboard upgrades, and facility improvements.
Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total fields | 5 |
| Turf fields | 3 (lighted) |
| Grass fields | 2 (Bermuda grass) |
| Stadium | West Community Stadium, 5,500 seats |
| Stadium field | Primary match venue |
| Lighting | Most fields lighted |
Tenant Clubs
- slsg — Primary tenant, owner. 275 teams, 3,600+ players use for practice and games
- Webster University soccer teams (since 2012)
Former tenants:
- Saint Louis FC (USL Championship, 2015-2020) — averaged 4,532 fans/game in 2019. Disbanded after 2020 season to accommodate MLS expansion.
- Saint Louis Athletica (Women’s Professional Soccer, 2009-2010)
Economics
- Acquisition cost: $1.9M (2011) (HIGH)
- Renovation cost: $1.5M (2012) (HIGH)
- Estimated current value: $10-15M (LOW — based on comparable youth soccer facility transactions and real estate appreciation since 2011)
- Revenue contribution embedded in SLSG’s $12.9M operations — facility rental, tournament hosting, event fees
Condition & Lifecycle
Turf fields were replaced in the 2012 renovation. Assuming standard 8-10 year turf lifecycles, replacement cycles have likely occurred since. Stadium infrastructure dates to 1982 with periodic updates.
Investment Thesis
WWT Soccer Park is a crown jewel facility asset. SLSG’s ownership of this facility at a $1.9M basis, now likely worth $10M+, makes any SLSG acquisition significantly more valuable. The facility has hosted professional soccer (USL, WPS) and has the infrastructure for large tournaments and events.
The stadium’s 5,500-seat capacity and professional-grade amenities could support future USL or NWSL-level events, adding long-term optionality.