Sporting Club Jacksonville announced June 24 its United Soccer League preseason schedule, which features friendly matches with its new pro USL women’s team at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium.
The games are ahead of the team’s debut in the Gainbridge Super League in August, according to a news release.
The club, commonly abbreviated as Sporting JAX, will host its first home match Aug. 2 with Hibernian FC Women, the reigning Scottish Women’s Premiere League Champions.
The club will host Wrexham AFR Women on Aug. 10. The rising Welsh club, owned by actor Ryan Reynolds and actor and screenwriter Rob McElhenney, is featured in the FX/Hulu documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham.”
Both matches will begin at 7 p.m.
The international matchups are part of the Sporting JAX 16-game season ticket package, along with 14 regular-season home games.
Fans who already have season tickets will automatically receive entry to both preseason games, the release said. Single-game tickets for the two preseason matches against Hibernian and Wrexham and a combined preseason two-game “Euro Pack” priced lower than single-match tickets will be available starting at 11 a.m. on June 24 at SportingJAX.com/europack or by calling (904) 863-5425 (KICK).
As part of preseason preparation, Sporting JAX will travel to face Lexington SC on Aug. 16 in a closed-door match before the regular season opener.
The club kicks off its inaugural Gainbridge Super League season Aug. 23, with a game against DC Power at 7:30 p.m. at Hodges Stadium. All regular and postseason matches will stream live on Peacock; the club will announce local broadcast details in the coming weeks, the release said.
“This preseason series of matches is not just about preparing to compete; it’s about honoring our roots and
stepping onto the global stage,” Steve Livingstone, president and CEO of Sporting JAX, said in the release.
“Hosting Hibernian FC Women is especially meaningful as we pay tribute to the late Ron Gordon, a beloved friend, mentor and one of our founding investors. Ron’s leadership revitalized Hibs and helped bring Sporting JAX to life. This match is dedicated to him and the Gordon family.
“We’re also thrilled to welcome Wrexham AFC Women to the First Coast, a club whose story has captured hearts and headlines around the world. Their story has ignited incredible energy for the sport and introduced new fans to the women’s game, especially here in the U.S. They’re the perfect preseason opponent as we introduce Jacksonville’s first professional women’s sports team to the community and world.”
Sporting Club Jacksonville was established in 2020 by a group of Jacksonville-based owners driven by a vision to elevate the area’s soccer scene, the release said. The club’s motto is “Lift Every Voice.”
Named in collaboration with the First Coast community in 2023, the club is committed to launching a women’s professional USL Super League club, a men’s professional USL Championship club and USL Youth Academy in Northeast Florida.
Through work with city and county government, Sporting JAX will spearhead the development of a 15,000-capacity community stadium and training facilities.
The men are expected to begin play in 2026.