Progress continues as the West End’s $250 million FC Cincinnati stadium gears up for its slated mid-May first game. CityBeat hopped on a tour to see how the arena is shaping up.

The stadium, which will hold 26,000 fans, is wrapped with illuminating “fins” that officials plan to turn on mid-March.

All seats are covered by the stadium’s 360-degree roof canopy, under which guests can find beers like Rhingeist, Sam Adams or Heineken at concession stands.

The stadium’s First Financial Club, the largest club in the building, spans the entire east side of the stadium and will be home to a beer hall offering 40 taps and focusing on craft beers. The hall is inspired by Over-the-Rhine’s renaissance.

FC Cincinnati began selling season tickets on Feb. 24. Prices start at $325 for the season (in the Bailey) and go up to $900.

For more info, visit fccincinnati.com.

Photos by Francisco Huerta
The stadium, with the city behind Francisco Huerta
View from inside the stadium Francisco Huerta
Exterior of the stadium, showing the illuminating fins Francisco Huerta
Exterior of the stadium Francisco Huerta
Inside the lounge area of the First Financial Club Francisco Huerta
View of “The Bailey” area for the team’s most ardent fans Francisco Huerta
First Financial Club padded seating Francisco Huerta
Main gate entranceway Francisco Huerta
View of fins from main steps on Central Avenue Francisco Huerta
Close up of LED strips Francisco Huerta
View from the Heineken bar Francisco Huerta
Stadium seating Francisco Huerta
A look down the stadium Francisco Huerta
360-degree roof canopy Francisco Huerta
Workers finishing up canopy Francisco Huerta
FC scarf. Francisco Huerta
The flip side features “Juncta Juvant” (Seal of Cincinnati). Francisco Huerta
First Financial Club seating from “The Bailey” Francisco Huerta
Bird’s-eye view of stadium Francisco Huerta
Front of the stadium, with West End neighborhood in the back Francisco Huerta
North side of the stadium, with Music Hall on the left Francisco Huerta
The stadium nestled within the city Francisco Huerta
West side of the stadium overlooking OTR Francisco Huerta