America First Field in Sandy will add new seating, fan technology and premium areas as part of a renovation plan Miller Sports + Entertainment outlined Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The company described the stadium as "the anchor of a future sports and entertainment district in Sandy" in a sponsored feature published in Utah Business. Michelle Smith, president of Miller Sports + Entertainment, has led the company's push to expand programming at the 9256 S. State St. venue.

John Kimball, president of business operations for Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals FC, told the Deseret News in January that work would begin with enhancements to the west-side premium areas and moving employee offices out of the stadium.

"There'll be other phases that are going to be happening over the next couple of years with some really exciting things happening with the Miller block and with the Real Salt Lake America First Field," Kimball said in that January interview.

The stadium has already added capacity this year. Two thousand temporary seats went up on the north concourse to handle demand for the April Inter Miami match featuring Lionel Messi, which drew more than 21,500 fans. A separate 787-seat premium structure, the SME Skyboxes behind the north goal, was announced in February as a season-long addition.

The year-round programming case grew stronger over the summer. World Cup watch parties and activations spread across America First Field, Megaplex at Jordan Commons and Downtown Daybreak drew more than 90,000 people combined, according to Miller Sports + Entertainment. The FIFA World Cup Trophy made a stop at the stadium, Bosnia and Herzegovina's national team trained there, and singer Noah Kahan performed for more than 25,000 fans.

More tenants are on the way.

The United Football League announced Sept. 23 that a Utah team will begin play at America First Field in the 2028 spring season, joining Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (MLS) and Utah Royals FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Miller Sports + Entertainment said its vision for the Sandy district is modeled on developments like The Battery Atlanta and the area around Audi Field in Washington, D.C., which combine dining, hospitality, retail and public space around a stadium anchor. No Sandy City official has publicly commented on the district concept.

A federal incentive could accelerate development nearby. Gov. Spencer Cox has recommended the area near America First Field and the Mountain America Expo Center for designation as a federal Opportunity Zone, according to a Salt Lake County press release dated Sept. 27. The second round of the program would run Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2036, if the U.S. Department of the Treasury certifies the recommendation.

Sandy's Planning Commission approved the stadium's 2026 Parking and Access Management Plan at its May 7 meeting, with RSL representative Justin Nelson presenting the updated plan.

No construction timeline or cost estimate for the broader renovation has been made public.