Updated: Pawtucket Soccer Stadium a Home Away from Home for URI Rams, Governor’s Cup Football

September 20, 2025/RINewsToday

The URI Rams will move their football games to Centreville Bank Stadium, aka the Pawtucket Soccer Stadium for the 2026 season. URI’s 2025 games will be played at Meade Stadium, and then the stadium will undergo a $42 Million renovation over the next 18 months.

Meade’s seating is approximately 6,500. Centreville’s is approximately 10,500.

In a story in the Rhode Island Current, Thorr Bjorn, URI’s Vice President & Athletics Director “told the university’s Board of Trustees in a Thursday meeting of its Student Life and Athletics Committee that “the price is about $50,000 per game, give or take, with expenses and rent” to play in Pawtucket.

There are 12 games in URI’s season, 5 of which will be played at home. So, combined, if there were 10 games that would be $500,000 from URI to the Pawtucket facility. How many students will travel up “95” for the games is unclear, but bus transportation from the school is anticipated.

The stadium has been letting the word out that it is available “for rent” for events, including an inside room where food can be served. They even lent themselves (money exchange unknown) for a taping of the upcoming Housewives of Rhode Island. The taping included the ladies in large balls rolling around the field – we’ve been told!

Also according to the Rhode Island Current, “The city and state will need to start paying back the debt for the soccer stadium in fiscal year 2027, relying on revenue generated by the project.”

UPDATED: FROM URI: The University of Rhode Island will play its 2026 football home games at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, university and stadium officials announced Wednesday.

With Meade Stadium set to undergo major renovations at the conclusion of the 2025 football season, URI Vice President/Athletics Director Thorr Bjorn and Centreville Bank Stadium General Manager Paul Byrne worked together to bring the Rams to Pawtucket next Fall.

“We are thrilled to partner with Centreville Bank Stadium to be our home next season,” Bjorn said. “Not only will we be able to play in a state-of-the-art first-class facility, but it will be a chance to showcase our nationally-ranked program to our alumni and fans in a different part of the state.”

The dates for Rhode Island Football games at Centreville Bank Stadium will be announced at a future time. Information on 2026 season ticket packages, pricing, and parking will be available later this fall/winter 2025. Watch for updates on GoRhody.com and be ready to reserve your spot for the 2026 season. Click here to be included in all 2026 Football Season Ticket Information.

Governor’s Cup coming up

URI will get their chance to test out their new home away from home when the 43rd Governor’s Cup Football game will be play on Friday, October 3rd between Brown and URI Football. Tickets are on sale now.

The 43rd rendition of the Governor’s Cup will be a nighttime affair with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Brown will serve as the host for the game, which technically will be a neutral-site contest, since neither school plays at least 50 percent of their home games at Centreville Bank Stadium.

Rhode Island has won six straight games in the Governor’s Cup series, which began in 1981. The Rams hold a 23-19 edge in the Cup, while Brown leads the all-time series 73-33-2. Rhody’s six-game winning streak is the longest for either side in the history of the Governor’s Cup.

Home to the Rhode Island FC professional soccer team of the USL Championship, Centreville Bank Stadium is located in Pawtucket. The 10,500-seat stadium officially opened on May 3 with Rhode Island FC’s home opener, a 0-0 draw against San Antonio FC. In addition to soccer matches, the stadium has hosted Major League Rugby matches. The 2025 Governor’s Cup with be the first football game held there.