New Palo District in Mesa Envisioned as a Home for Elite Professional Soccer and Community Connection
MESA, Arizona (Jan. 25, 2026) — Arizona’s next great sports chapter is being written now — not on the field, but by the community.
Sunny Day Sports today announced the launch of its “Founding Fans” initiative, a grassroots effort inviting Arizonans to show their support for bringing women’s professional soccer to the state as part of the transformative Palo District redevelopment in Mesa.
Long before the first kickoff or the first goal is scored, residents, families, and soccer supporters across Arizona are coming together to demonstrate that the region is ready to support the highest levels of professional soccer — and to do so in a way that reflects the values, energy, and diversity of the community.
The effort is led by Vicki Mayo, Chairwoman, Co-Founder, and Principal Owner of Sunny Day Sports, whose vision centers on building more than a stadium — but a destination where sports, health, education, and community intersect.
Recently approved by the City of Mesa, Sunny Day Sports’ plans will redevelop the 80-acre former Fiesta Mall site into the Palo District, a vibrant sports, wellness, business, and entertainment hub. The project is anchored by a $100 million Women’s Health Campus, Arizona’s first medical facility dedicated exclusively to women’s health, research, and performance.
Plans for the district also allow for a professional soccer stadium, positioning the site to support elite competition while remaining deeply rooted in community use, youth development, and year-round engagement.
“Palo District is about more than professional sports — it’s about creating a place where families gather, young athletes find inspiration, and our community sees itself reflected on and off the field,” Mayo said. “The Founding Fans initiative gives Arizonans a voice in shaping that future.”
Sunny Day Sports is inviting residents who believe in the power of women’s professional soccer and its impact on communities to visit https://sunnydaysports.com/ and sign up as a Founding Fan. Supporters will receive updates on the project’s progress and be part of a growing show of community enthusiasm for professional soccer in Arizona.
Founding Fans will also receive early access to project news, exclusive opportunities, and priority access to tickets and merchandise when professional play comes to the district.
“This is about showing what’s possible when a community comes together,” Mayo said. “By raising our voices now, we’re creating opportunity — for our city, for our state, and for the next generation of girls who deserve to see what leadership and excellence look like on the world’s biggest stages.”
The Palo District will feature a mix of restaurants and retail, lodging, office and medical office space, multifamily residential, entertainment venues, and sports facilities — all designed to support community use alongside elite athletics. The district is envisioned as a long-term home for the highest levels of professional soccer, while also serving as a year-round gathering place for Mesa and the greater Arizona community.
Additional announcements regarding partners and facilities are expected in the coming months.
For more information or to become a Founding Fan, visit https://sunnydaysports.com/founding-fans/.