ATLANTIC CITY – After playing at Stockton University for its first season, the Atlantic City Football Club has announced it is working with the city and Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to bring soccer to the Sandcastle Stadium.
“The city has allowed us to announce that we plan on playing our full home season at the Sandcastle Stadium beginning in 2020,” Andrew Weilgus said Thursday in a statement.
It could take months to rehabilitate the stadium, which would include installing lighting, upgrading bathrooms and relining the field. However, if the team makes it to the NPSL championship, the game will be played at the Sandcastle on Aug. 3.
The 5,000 seat stadium has hosted youth and college baseball teams since the loss of the Atlantic City Surf professional baseball club in 2009. The building has been called Surf Stadium and the Bernie Robbins Stadium, but locals still remember it as the Sandcastle Stadium.
The Aces is sponsored by Tropicana Casino.
“While this process is not yet complete, we are optimistic we’ll have an agreement reached soon to user in a new era for this tremendous facility,” Weilgus said.
He said the organization is looking at holding games for the 2019 season at its training complex on Annapolis Avenue and at Atlantic City High School.
The organization also announced the start of its youth soccer program, Atlantic City Youth Soccer, which includes free summertime clinics, and a recreational academy in fall for boys and girls in Atlantic City and the surrounding area.
Atlantic City Football Club will also participate in the second annual Pro Am Beach Soccer Tournament being held June 8-9 in Atlantic City. The club won the inaugural event. The team is part of the Northeast Region Keystone Conference.
