Palmetto State Profile: GE Vernova Park at BridgeWay Station

Forrest Wimberly
Jul 3
3 min read

GE Vernova Park Supporter's End Photo by Wade Wimberly

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

The Greenville Triumph opened their new stadium, GE Vernova Park, at the stunning BridgeWay Station development in Mauldin, South Carolina on June 3 to a packed house.

The first soccer match on June 3 saw the Triumph defeat visiting Forward Madison 1-0 in front of a franchise record 4252 fans in USL League One soccer action. The Triumph then defeated USLC side Loudoun United in a USL Cup match 3-1 to have a successful opening week of the new stadium.

“Owning our own stadium shows what direction we want to take this club,” said Triumph General Manager Zach Prince before kickoff of the inaugural match. “I've only been here for a short amount of time, and in that short amount of time, it's allowed me to evaluate what's needed for 2027 and beyond, and I'm super excited about what we have to come.”

The new stadium will also be the home of the women’s Greenville Liberty franchise and provides the Upstate with a premier soccer venue for professional soccer. The Triumph and Liberty have played at various locations across the Upstate the past several seasons and the new stadium shows significant investment in professional soccer in the Palmetto State.

Prince hinted that an announcement about the Liberty and women’s professional soccer was coming soon saying “we're looking at a way to provide really positive outcomes and professional outcomes for girls in the state of South Carolina.”

The synthetic field turf is surrounded by permanent seating that sits right on the field boundaries putting the fans into the action on the field. The large videoboard at the north end and premium lighting provide graphics, replays, and excellent imagery for the fans to enjoy while at the park. There isn’t a bad seat in the venue and the sightlines are excellent for the fans to follow all the action on the field.

Construction is ongoing behind the west grandstand where the player locker rooms, larger press box, and suites will provide the final touches needed for the player’s match day. Additional concession stands, restrooms, and team shop will also be part of the future construction projects really bringing all the elements together for an incredible fan experience at the ground.

Construction area just behind the West Stands Photo By Forrest Wimberly

Currently, there is just one brick and mortar concession stand above the east stand and the restrooms are portable units located in two main areas at the northeast and northwest corners of the stadium concourse.

Numerous food trucks and food carts are stationed around the stadium concourse with a team store tent sitting behind the east stand for team souvenirs. Despite these temporary arrangements for food, merchandise, and restrooms, the overall soccer experience isn’t lost in these under-construction elements of the stadium.

There is ample parking in numerous lots around BridgeWay station with some parking directly at the north end and other lots a short walking distance from the stadium entrance that's located at the northeast corner of the ground. The parking and stadium arrival/exit seemed very organized and orderly on the sold-out first match day.

1961 Triumph TR3 parked at BridgeWay Stattion Photo by Forrest Wimberly

BridgeWay Station just across the north parking lot, provides numerous locations to gather for food and drinks before and after the match. The BridgeWay Brewing Company offers over a dozen beers brewed in-house along with some excellent pub food options on game day or any day. All the prices were very reasonable, and the quality of the food and drinks were excellent upon sampling on the first match day.

The combination of the BridgeWay restaurants and the soccer match day experience make this a must-visit, away-day venue for traveling supporters and general soccer fanatics. You will not be disappointed.

View from Supporter's Section at GE Vernova Park Photo by Wade Wimberly

The Triumph have a full slate of matches in the new ground and there are two opportunities to see the new home of the Triumph next week. July 8 the Triumph hosts the Sarasota Paradise in USL 1 action at 7PM before hosting a Prinx Tires USL Cup match versus the Richmond Kickers on July 11 at 7 PM.

The Liberty playing USL Women’s Academy U20 soccer this season will host two matches at GE Vernova Park on July 15 versus the Carolina Ascent at 7 PM and July 25 versus the South Carolina United Bantams at 6 PM.