Sarasota Paradise to become professional soccer team

Professional soccer is coming to Sarasota. The Sarasota Paradise, which launched as a pre-professional team in 2023, was awarded rights for a League One franchise starting with the 2026 season. 

League One encompasses 14 professional teams within the United Soccer League, billed as the largest professional soccer organization in North America. Based in Tampa, the league seeks out markets with populations from 150,000 to 1 million without access to a professional soccer club to establish League One franchises. It also looks for strong ownership groups and populations with family, millennial and diverse bases as well as corporate support and stadiums, according to its website.

“With a strong foundation and a vision for long-term success, Sarasota Paradise is ready to take this next step,” United Soccer League Deputy CEO and Chief Real Estate Officer Justin Papadakis says in a statement. “The Sarasota region has long been a hub for elite athletic development, shaped by the legacy of world-class facilities like IMG Academy and the continued expansion of Premier Sports Campus, the club's home. That foundation well positions Sarasota Paradise to grow and thrive in USL League One."