Football is the world’s game. But it is also more than that: it is Sacramento’s game.
While it is true that Sacramento Republic FC is still only in its infancy stage as a club (it was established in 2013), it is also a club hungry to establish itself in the global landscape of football, or soccer as it is called stateside. Indeed, there is no American city positioned to be such an ideal home for the beautiful game like Sacramento.
While soccer’s popularity is undoubtedly rising in the United States—it’s the fastest growing sport both professionally and in youth participation levels—it is the Indomitable City that provides the ideal melting plot that celebrates the diversity of the sport’s culture and heritage.
Even in the very name itself, “republic” represents people from all walks of life, colors, ethnicities and creeds coming together as one and engaged in a specific activity.
Named America’s Most Diverse City by TIME magazine, Sacramento has an unparalleled level of cultural diversity compared to any other city in the United States. Demographically, as high as 26 percent of residents identify as Hispanic, 15 percent of residents identify as African-American and 12 percent of residents identify as Asian. Moreover, Sacramento has one of the highest LGBT populations per capita, ranking seventh among major American cities.
Football is the world’s game. But it is also more than that: it is Sacramento’s game.
While it is true that Sacramento Republic FC is still only in its infancy stage as a club (it was established in 2013), it is also a club hungry to establish itself in the global landscape of football, or soccer as it is called stateside. Indeed, there is no American city positioned to be such an ideal home for the beautiful game like Sacramento.
While soccer’s popularity is undoubtedly rising in the United States—it’s the fastest growing sport both professionally and in youth participation levels—it is the Indomitable City that provides the ideal melting plot that celebrates the diversity of the sport’s culture and heritage.
Even in the very name itself, “republic” represents people from all walks of life, colors, ethnicities and creeds coming together as one and engaged in a specific activity.
Named America’s Most Diverse City by TIME magazine, Sacramento has an unparalleled level of cultural diversity compared to any other city in the United States. Demographically, as high as 26 percent of residents identify as Hispanic, 15 percent of residents identify as African-American and 12 percent of residents identify as Asian. Moreover, Sacramento has one of the highest LGBT populations per capita, ranking seventh among major American cities.
Combined with a young population where more than 49 percent of residents are under the age of 35 (the most popular age demographic for the sport), Sacramento’s diversity provides a constant exchange of footy culture. It is a melting pot for soccer traditions throughout the world, allowing the city to brew its own distinct craft of soccer culture.
Indeed, the demographic makeup of the region gives fans the opportunity to bridge cultural differences as they congregate in gathering places that celebrate the beautiful game, including World Cup or Copa America watch parties, Bonney Field or O’Neal Park.
Additional data only further attests to Sacramento’s love of the beautiful game, beyond supporting Republic FC as a local club. Sacramento is constantly ranked in the Top 10 United States TV markets for various soccer events, especially when it comes to overseas leagues and major international tournaments.
Sacramento was a top 10 TV market for the entire 2015-2016 Premier League season; one of just two markets on the west coast to crack the top ten. Additionally, Sacramento was sixth and fifth respectively for viewership for 2014 FIFA Men’s World Cup and 2016 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The city is ranked as high as in the top five for Spanish-language broadcasts.
If sports is a microcosm of society, than this diversity is only further paralleled in the countries represented at Sacramento Republic FC itself.
Combined with a young population where more than 49 percent of residents are under the age of 35 (the most popular age demographic for the sport), Sacramento’s diversity provides a constant exchange of footy culture. It is a melting pot for soccer traditions throughout the world, allowing the city to brew its own distinct craft of soccer culture.
Indeed, the demographic makeup of the region gives fans the opportunity to bridge cultural differences as they congregate in gathering places that celebrate the beautiful game, including World Cup or Copa America watch parties, Bonney Field or O’Neal Park.
Additional data only further attests to Sacramento’s love of the beautiful game, beyond supporting Republic FC as a local club. Sacramento is constantly ranked in the Top 10 United States TV markets for various soccer events, especially when it comes to overseas leagues and major international tournaments.
Sacramento was a top 10 TV market for the entire 2015-2016 Premier League season; one of just two markets on the west coast to crack the top ten. Additionally, Sacramento was sixth and fifth respectively for viewership for 2014 FIFA Men’s World Cup and 2016 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The city is ranked as high as in the top five for Spanish-language broadcasts.
If sports is a microcosm of society, than this diversity is only further paralleled in the countries represented at Sacramento Republic FC itself.
To-date, 17 different flags have been represented on the club’s roster, including Montenegro, Mexico, El Salvador and Ireland. In addition, over half the first team roster is bilingual speaking a slew of languages including, Spanish, German, Serbian and Polish.
Meanwhile at the club’s youth level, Academy players have represented three different youth national teams: United States, Canada and Guam.
Of course, at the heart of Republic FC’s diversity are the club’s’ fans, which come from all walks of life in Sacramento and are also found throughout the world.
Republic FC has unofficial fan groups in Japan, Germany and Brazil, while fans in the United Kingdom regularly stream matches live, despite kickoff times that are between 3:30 to 4 a.m. local time. In 2015, the top five countries streaming YouTube video content of Republic FC outside of the United States were the United Kingdom, Mexico, Thailand, Canada and Vietnam.
The world’s game has discovered, along with many of Sacramento’s residents, that this is a place to call home.
To-date, 17 different flags have been represented on the club’s roster, including Montenegro, Mexico, El Salvador and Ireland. In addition, over half the first team roster is bilingual speaking a slew of languages including, Spanish, German, Serbian and Polish.
Meanwhile at the club’s youth level, Academy players have represented three different youth national teams: United States, Canada and Guam.
Of course, at the heart of Republic FC’s diversity are the club’s’ fans, which come from all walks of life in Sacramento and are also found throughout the world.
Republic FC has unofficial fan groups in Japan, Germany and Brazil, while fans in the United Kingdom regularly stream matches live, despite kickoff times that are between 3:30 to 4 a.m. local time. In 2015, the top five countries streaming YouTube video content of Republic FC outside of the United States were the United Kingdom, Mexico, Thailand, Canada and Vietnam.
The world’s game has discovered, along with many of Sacramento’s residents, that this is a place to call home.
