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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Authorizes Stadium Authority to Develop Carroll Park Soccer Facility and Issue $216.6 Million in Bonds
Last action · February 12, 2026: Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m.Sponsor: Antonio Hayes
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What This Bill Would Do
The Maryland Stadium Authority is authorized to acquire, review, and construct the Carroll Park Soccer Stadium and Facility in Baltimore City, backed by up to $216.6 million in bond issuance authority. Starting in 2028, the Comptroller must direct a portion of sports wagering proceeds and state funds to service the facility's debt, contingent on securing a written operating agreement with United Partnership. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Residents and taxpayers carry a financial stake through the creation of a new state-backed debt ceiling of $216.6 million and the redirection of sports wagering revenues to pay bond principals and interest starting in 2028.
- The Maryland Stadium Authority is an independent state agency established to finance, construct, and manage sports and convention facilities across Maryland. context
- The Board of Public Works is Maryland's top financial oversight body, consisting of the Governor, the Comptroller, and the State Treasurer, and is responsible for approving state bond sales and major capital expenditures. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Maryland Stadium Authority
Empowered to acquire sites, issue up to $216,600,000 in bonds, construct the facility, and administer the new special fund.
Board of Public Works
Must review and approve property acquisitions, financing plans, and bond issuances for the soccer facility.
United Partnership
Must secure a written operating agreement with the Maryland Stadium Authority before any bonds may be issued for the project.
Baltimore City residents
The facility will be constructed within Baltimore City, and the Authority will be subject to local planning and zoning regulations.
Key Facts
- Establishes the Carroll Park Soccer Stadium and Facility in Baltimore City, defined as a facility used primarily for professional soccer, a soccer academy, and a school.
- Authorizes the Maryland Stadium Authority to review projects, acquire sites, and construct or contract to construct the soccer stadium.
- Caps the face amount of bonds the Board of Public Works may approve for the facility at $216,600,000.
- Establishes the Carroll Park Soccer Stadium and Facility Fund as a continuing, nonlapsing fund administered by the Authority.
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- Prohibits the Authority from issuing bonds for the project until it secures a written operating agreement with United Partnership.
- Requires the Authority to submit a comprehensive financing plan to the fiscal committees of the General Assembly at least 45 days before seeking Board of Public Works approval for any bond issue.
- Mandates that starting in fiscal year 2028, the Comptroller deposit funds from sports wagering proceeds into the Carroll Park Soccer Stadium and Facility Fund to cover principal and interest on bonds.
- Exempts the Carroll Park Soccer Stadium and Facility Fund from standard interest-reversion rules, allowing interest earnings to accrue directly to the fund.
- Requires the Authority to submit annual reports on additional tax revenues generated by the facility to the Governor and General Assembly.
- Subject to certain exceptions, makes the Authority and its affiliates subject to local planning, zoning, and development regulations to the same extent as private commercial enterprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Carroll Park Soccer Stadium and Facility?
How much debt can be issued for the stadium?
Where does the funding to pay off the bonds come from?
What condition must be met before bonds can be issued?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 12, 2026SenateHearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Finance
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Revenue Intercept from Sports Wagering
The legislation integrates sports wagering proceeds from the State Lottery Fund directly into debt service obligations for a specific local sports facility starting in fiscal year 2028.
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz50Current news / social attention level
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