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Commission recommends Board approve long-term permit for Golden City FC at Kezar Stadium with $10 million in stadium improvements
Summary
The commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a long-term permit for Golden City Football Club at Kezar Stadium; the club committed $10 million in improvements and the permit includes protections for school use and public access, plus ticket and concession terms.
The Recreation and Park Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a long-term permit for Golden City Football Club (GCFC) to operate at Kezar Stadium, subject to a term sheet presented to the commission that requires the club to invest roughly $10 million in stadium improvements, staff said.
Dana Keshem, director of property, permits and reservations, told commissioners the proposed term is 15 years with two five-year options; the first two options require additional investment by the tenant. Keshem said the $10 million package focuses on a major field renovation (including removing thatch and replacing the turf and irrigation), improved seating and press box areas, a new LED scoreboard at the east end, upgraded concessions and a new sound system. Staff said the turf work and irrigation improvements are expected to reduce water use by more than half.
Keshem said the tenant will pay standard Kezar permit fees and reimburse all city out-of-pocket costs; after year 10 the department will receive a share (10%) of ticket revenue above a baseline and permit-fee credits will be applied against the $10 million investment. The department would receive 38 complimentary tickets per game, with at least 30 of those reserved for underserved communities. The tenant must provide transportation, operating and community-access plans and must meet a deadline (reported in the staff presentation as September 30, 2027) to begin operations or the agreement may terminate.
Keshem emphasized commitments to preserve public uses: school football, graduations, track access, Special Olympics and camps were listed as protected uses and staff described a schedule-based approach to ensure those uses continue. The permit also limits the stadium’s use by other adult teams to one time per year without tenant consent and prohibits the tenant from becoming the exclusive home for other users without agreement.
Supporters including longtime players, local merchants and youth-sports advocates spoke in favor of the permit during public comment. Golden City FC representatives described plans to grow local player pathways and community engagement. The commission voted to recommend the Board of Supervisors approve the permit and to find that the permit serves a public purpose; commissioners recorded no opposition.
