Two major soccer developments—one on a grand international scale, the other rooted in local community—are reshaping the sport’s future on both sides of the border. From Mexico City’s iconic stadium to the green fields of Olympia, Washington, the beautiful game is being transformed by new partnerships, big investments, and a shared vision of growth.
On December 24, 2025, Mexico’s most decorated soccer club, Club América, took a decisive step into the future. According to reporting from My Mexico Move, private equity giant General Atlantic agreed to acquire a 49% stake in Grupo Ollamani, the parent company that controls Club América, the legendary 88,000-seat Estadio Banorte (formerly Estadio Azteca), and the surrounding real estate. Grupo Ollamani retains a 51% controlling interest, ensuring its long-term vision remains at the helm, while General Atlantic’s investment ushers in a new era of ambition and cross-border collaboration.
This deal isn’t just about money—it’s about strategy. The move links Club América directly to the broader ownership and analytics ecosystem of the NFL’s New England Patriots. While the Patriots themselves aren’t direct equity holders, the operational partnership runs deep, especially through a collaboration with Kraft Analytics Group. The goal? To engage more than 45 million fans—about 30 million in Mexico and another 15 million in the United States—by harnessing cutting-edge data, marketing, and fan engagement tools straight from the NFL playbook.
“Big news in the world of soccer! Mexico’s winningest club, Club América, has just teamed up with U.S. investment group General Atlantic, placing them under the same umbrella as NFL’s New England Patriots. Let’s dive into what this means for the future of Liga MX!” My Mexico Move announced on X. The excitement was palpable, and for good reason. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon and Estadio Banorte set for a major facelift, the timing couldn’t be better.
The redevelopment plan reads like a blueprint for a modern sports empire. The stadium complex will soon boast a shopping mall, hotel, and parking structure, turning it into a year-round revenue engine. This isn’t just a facelift; it’s a full-scale transformation designed to turn América’s home ground into a destination for fans and families, not just on match days but every day. With Kraft’s experience in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS, the vision is clear: elevate the fan experience, expand the club’s reach north of the border, and position Club América as a global brand, not just a Liga MX powerhouse.
The market responded with enthusiasm. Shares of Grupo Ollamani jumped 6% on the Mexican Stock Exchange following the announcement, briefly peaking at 86 pesos before settling at 83.4 by the close. The financial vote of confidence underscored the deal’s significance, both for Club América and for the broader trend of American capital flowing into Liga MX. In fact, Club América now joins a growing list of five Mexican clubs with U.S. investment backing, signaling a new era of cross-border soccer synergy.
While the Patriots were gearing up for their December 28, 2025, showdown with the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium—kickoff at 1:00 PM ET, with the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round playoff bye at stake—Club América’s leadership was focused on a different kind of game plan. With General Atlantic’s resources and the Patriots’ operational know-how, the club is betting big on analytics, fan data, and commercial growth. The partnership with Kraft Analytics Group, in particular, is expected to help América deepen its connection with fans on both sides of the border, building loyalty and driving year-round engagement.
“One of the biggest chess moves is the partnership with Kraft Analytics Group, which will help América tap into data and analytics to engage more than 45 million fans. Roughly 30 million in Mexico and another 15 million in the U.S. That’s straight out of the NFL playbook: know your audience, build loyalty, and monetize year-round,” My Mexico Move observed. The approach is as much about business as it is about sport, with a clear focus on creating a sustainable, global brand.
Meanwhile, on December 10, 2025, a different but no less significant soccer partnership was unveiled in the Pacific Northwest. South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) and FC Olympia announced a joint venture to share a brand-new NCAA-approved soccer field on the SPSCC Olympia campus. According to a news release from SPSCC, the field will serve as the home for both the college’s men’s and women’s teams and FC Olympia, a local club dedicated to providing a “path to pro” for young players.
“This home field partnership will create new soccer pathways from youth to adults in our soccer community,” said Ryan Perkins, president of FC Olympia and the Oly Soccer Foundation. “We’re excited to provide expanded soccer programming and strengthen our ties with SPSCC’s Clipper athletics in the process.”
The collaboration aims to expand soccer opportunities throughout Thurston County, Washington, with plans for training, matches, physical education classes, camps, and clinics. The field’s development also includes a smaller practice pitch, seating for fans, and ongoing discussions about adding a mini-pitch for unstructured community play. In a nod to local tradition, Wembley Soccer Shop—serving Olympia’s soccer community for 30 years—became the first sponsor by providing equipment for the new facility.
“Soccer has been prevalent on South Puget Sound’s campus for a very long time with the men’s soccer program being the very first program ever established here in 1988 and now, we recently established our women’s program here in 2021,” SPSCC Athletic Director Vernell Willingham said. “It showcases the presence we want to have in the soccer community here in the capitol region. I’m very excited to partner with FC Olympia to help expand our community resources here in the region. This partnership makes sense in that we both assist in developing young adult athletes and even tapping into youth levels, which is something we’ve been trying to do for a long time.”
FC Olympia, founded in 2014 as Oly Town FC, has grown into the region’s highest level of soccer, with USL National Soccer market programming and a robust slate of youth-to-adult initiatives. The new field at SPSCC will serve as “headquarters” for all FC Olympia programs and events, anchoring the club’s commitment to player development and community outreach.
“I personally can’t wait to see all the youth soccer players and families on campus and expanding soccer for our community through this collaboration with the college,” Perkins added. “We at FC Olympia want to thank Dave Pelkey and Vernell Willingham for their stewardship with this turf soccer field alliance and especially thankful for their belief in our ‘Path to Pro’ soccer system.”
From the glitz of Mexico City’s stadium redevelopment to the grassroots efforts in Olympia, these parallel stories reveal the evolving face of soccer in North America. Whether it’s billion-dollar investments or community-driven partnerships, the aim is the same: to grow the game, inspire the next generation, and make soccer a fixture in daily life. With bold vision and a little teamwork, the sport’s future on both sides of the border looks brighter than ever.
