Latest news with #RhodeIslandFC
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rhode Island FC donates 600+ tickets to local veterans
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The VA Providence Healthcare System got a special visit Tuesday morning from Chip the Harbor Seal. The Rhode Island FC mascot, along with team President David Peart, stopped by to thank veterans for their service ahead of the club's Military Appreciation Game on Saturday, May 24. The VA said Chip brought 'joy and laughter to all corners of the facility.' 'Veterans and staff alike were thrilled by Chip's enthusiasm, posing for photos, and enjoying the lighthearted moment,' the agency said in a press release. Rhode Island FC donated more than 600 tickets to veterans and their families so they can attend Saturday's game at Centreville Bank Stadium. The club said it will be honoring veterans and active servicemembers for the sacrifices they've made for our country. Watch RIFC host Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC starting at 4 p.m. on myRITV. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Real Housewives' worries; beach makeover; Culpo's restaurant picks: Top stories this week
Here are some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of May 11, supported by your subscriptions. Rhode Island's affordable-housing crisis has generated plenty of headlines since the pandemic. This week, The Journal explores one facet of the complex dynamics at play: the influx of out-of-state buyers, particularly from the greater Boston area. What makes the Ocean State so attractive? And how is it both a boon to the state's economy and another obstacle for local buyers? Rhode Island FC's new home, Centreville Bank Stadium, is not just a state-of-the-art soccer venue. It's also designed to host rugby matches and other sporting events for collegiate and high school teams as well as concerts. Journal sportswriter Jacob Rousseau looks at coming attractions at the new riverfront stadium in Pawtucket. For that, and the latest and sports news, go to . Food editor Gail Ciampa gives an update on the Rhode Island dining scene, including new restaurants, returning old favorites and expansions. Here are the week's top reads on Will "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island" encourage the rest of the country to come visit our beaches and try our restaurants? Or will the show – not exactly known for showcasing decorum, taste and restraint – become a source of embarrassment for the Ocean State? That depends on whom you ask, with the state's top leaders, including the governor, House speaker and Senate president, applauding the news while some critics on social media are predicting a "rude awakening for the tourism bureau." Read on to see what tourism officials and the state's Film and Television Office are saying about how the show could affect Rhode Island's image and its economy. Reality TV: 'The Real Housewives' franchise is coming to RI. But not everyone is real thrilled. Beachgoers will find their favorite sandy spots a little more cramped when they visit Roger W. Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett this summer. The beach is undergoing a makeover as construction crews replace and expand the boardwalk and build a bulkhead. By the time work is done, the new boardwalk will have doubled in size to nearly 1,200 feet in length and be accessible for people with disabilities. New stairs, sidewalks, shade structures, a foot-washing station and concrete benches will also be installed, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The work, however, will bring some disruptions to beachgoers. Read on to see what's changing. Local news: Roger Wheeler State Beach is a go-to for families. Why it won't be as friendly this summer There are many places you can go on the political conference and junket circuit each year. Taiwan. Portugal. Israel. San Juan. Deadwood. You can even go to Rhode Island, which often hosts big national groups like the lieutenant governors who descended on Providence this spring. Add in the perennial fundraising banquets, or a presidential campaign, and the opportunities for time on the road are almost limitless. Political Scene takes a look at which politician logged the most miles in 2024, compared with the previous year's most frequent flyer, and explores where the governor and other state officers went – and who picked up the tab. Political Scene: From Tel Aviv to Taiwan, these RI politicians traveled the most last year When columnist Mark Patinkin first heard about Alex Shieh, a sophomore at Brown University, he thought Shieh was just having fun copying an Elon Musk ploy – he sent out emails to the school's 3,805 non-faculty employees asking what they do every day. But after meeting with Shieh, Patinkin believes the action was motivated by a genuine desire to cut waste at Brown and thereby address a core challenge of American life: the high cost of college tuition, especially at elite schools. Shieh is facing disciplinary action at Brown, which alleges he used nonpublic university data and data systems. In the process, Shieh has become something of a national hero in conservative circles, even drawing comment from Musk himself on X. Read on to find out more about Shieh and the repercussions of his DOGE-like campaign to reduce university "bloat." Mark Patinkin: Alex Shieh wants to make Brown affordable. Mark Patinkin learns why he's being vilified Olivia Culpo is known for her taste, particularly in restaurants. The reality star's family has opened five restaurants in the state – The Back 40, Union + Main, Lake Taco, Evie's and Black Oak Kitchen & Drink – since 2017 that she has a hand in. And she's always made it known on social media that she loves Rhode Island food. She recently had her baby shower at the famous Castle Hill Inn, known for its drinks on the lawn and fine dining. But that's not the only restaurant she loves in the state. In 2024 on Instagram, she did an Ask Me Anything where she shared 13 restaurants to try. Here's a look at her list. Dining: Olivia Culpo shared a list of 13 restaurants she loves in Rhode Island. Check it out. To read the full stories, go to Find out how to subscribe here. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'Real Housewives of RI' worries; Culpo's favorite RI restaurants
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Game on, fare off. RIPTA offering free bus rides to soccer matches for $150K in courtesy ads.
A banner advertising the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is shown at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket during the home opener for Rhode Island FC on May 3, 2025. (Courtesy photo from the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority) Rhode Island FC has yet to notch a home-field victory since its May 3 home opener ended in a tie at its new Pawtucket stadium, but the cash-strapped Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is calling its new partnership with the state's only professional soccer team a win for fans and bus riders. Under an agreement signed in late April and obtained by Rhode Island Current, the bus agency will provide fare-free rides on six buses operating during home games at Centreville Bank Stadium through the end of 2027, along with other select events at the stadium. The stadium is scheduled to host 18 home games in 2025 — 15 United Soccer League regular season matches and three cup games. 'No monetary compensation will be exchanged,' states the memorandum of understanding between the team and the bus agency, now facing a projected $32.6 million budget deficit due to federal pandemic relief aid drying up. But RIPTA has confirmed it will receive $150,000 in courtesy advertising from the deal. 'Rhode Island Football Club provides a unique opportunity for RIPTA to draw new ridership,' agency spokesperson Sara Furbush said in an email. RIPTA's partnership with Rhode Island FC runs through Dec. 31, 2027, though the team has the option to opt out in 2026. But so far the team has no complaints since its May 3 home debut ended in a 0-0 draw before the soldout crowd of 10,700 spectators. Nathan Robillard, Rhode Island FC's communications specialist, said the team is happy with RIPTA's game day bus service. 'If we're asking people to park a mile away from the stadium, we want to give them a way there for free,' he said. More than 9,500 spectators attended the following home game May 7, when Rhode Island FC lost 2-1 to the New England Revolution in the U.S. Open Cup's Round of 32. The third home game on May 10 ended with a tie 2-2. A little more than 1,500 riders used the stadium route loop during the first two matches at Centreville Bank Stadium, according to RIPTA. Alec Beckett, a strategic partner at NAIL Communications in Providence, called the collaboration between RIPTA and the soccer team a 'win-win.' NAIL designed Rhode Island FC's logo. Beckett said RIPTA likely faces little overhead since it already owns its buses while the team only had to put up some signs inside the stadium — along with guaranteeing space for the occasional broadcast ad. 'It's kind of smart for both parties,' Beckett said. 'They're both giving something of value.' Under the agreement, Rhode Island FC will provide the agency with two live TV reads per local telecast on myRITV and the New England Sports Network for 17 games, along with one 30-second commercial per game. A similar arrangement for radio broadcasts is valid for 18 games. Broadcast ads are still in development, Furbush said. Digitally, the team will promote RIPTA's game day service on its website, along with banners on each of Rhode Island FC's 'Know Before You Go' emails and monthly e-newsletters. Rhode Island FC must also provide RIPTA with in-stadium signage at each home game, including three minutes of field display through an LED board, one static board, and two concourse ribbon signs. The team's partnership pamphlet boasts the newly opened Centreville Bank Stadium as the largest such outdoor venue in Rhode Island, which presents 'an incredibly unique opportunity for high-impact branding.' Rhode Island FC projects 300,000 visitors coming through the gates annually, with 85% of fans described as likely to support club advertisers. Such a prospect of new riders has public transit advocate John Flaherty excited over this new partnership for RIPTA. 'They need to be nimble like that when there are opportunities,' Flaherty, a senior adviser for GrowSmart RI, said in an interview. 'Many of the people who jump on the loop are probably people who would not otherwise have set foot on a bus, but for their desire to get to the stadium.' In return for added eyeballs on its branding, RIPTA has covered three buses in its fleet with Rhode Island FC-branded wraps, at a cost of $20,400 to create and install, Furbish said. Full bus wraps typically cost advertisers between $5,040 to $6,000 every four weeks depending on the length of a campaign, according to the 2025 rate card from Vector Media, the New York company which handles ads for RIPTA. The game day line is an extension of the existing R-Line, funded through reimbursements from the Federal Highway Administration's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program, which connects Cranston, Providence and Pawtucket. The standard fare to ride the bus is $2. Waiving that usual fee helps make the game day service easier for RIPTA drivers to manage, Furbush said. Labor cost for the first game day service was around $2,661, Furbush said. Buses run from three hours before kickoff until one hour after postgame events end. Buses operate on an eight to 10-minute loop between stops, with the final drop-off at Ivan Perez Memorial Park, about a two-minute walk from the stadium. RIPTA CEO Christopher Durand said the partnership with Rhode Island FC is a great opportunity for growth. 'Tens of thousands of people will be trying transit for the first time, and in doing so, (be) attracted to ride in the future,' Durand said in a statement to Rhode Island Current. 'Riders will use RIPTA beyond the downtown Pawtucket route to access the game in the easiest way possible.' Rhode Island FC's next home game is scheduled May 24, when the club will host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
RIFC battle back for 1-1 draw against Monterey Bay F.C.
PAWATUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — Despite trailing Monterey Bay F.C. 1-0 in the second half, a goal in the 77th by Rhode Island FC's Joe Brito helped the team from the Ocean State go on to earn a point in a 1-1 draw on Saturday. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rhode Island FC's home opener has arrived in Pawtucket; Here's what to expect from the club
PAWTUCKET — The spotlight is on Rhode Island FC. The inaugural game at Centreville Bank Stadium is Saturday, May 3. After financing delays, pandemic-related challenges, and a host of kinks to iron out, the club's home opener at its new stadium comes a year after its first season in the USL Championship. Advertisement The stadium's field lighting flipped on for the first time on April 24. RIFC hosted an open house just a couple of days later as the finishing touches were completed on the 10,500-seat, multi-purpose venue. RIFC played its first seven games of the season on the road and they are 1-3-1 in USL play this season. Saturday's matchup against San Antonio FC starts at 4 p.m. and can be watched on myRITV. Rhode Island has competed well against the top teams of the Eastern Conference, despite losses at Loudoun United FC (6-1) and Detroit City FC (4-1-1). Last year's run to the USL Championship was a great start, but they'll need to prove themselves again this season. 'It's been challenging with six weekends in a row just on the road traveling,' RIFC coach Khano Smith said. 'It's just a lot and it's challenging, but we're not going to complain. To get [the stadium], you had to give up something. We had to suffer for six weeks, we had to do it, but now we're at the end of it.' RIFC forward Noah Fuson warms up with the ball during a team practice at the club's new Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket on March 6. Here's what to know about RIFC's home opener on Saturday: Looking at the opener Rhode Island could do itself a favor and win on Saturday. The last thing the club wants to see is a tie in its first game, or worse, allow San Antonio to play spoiler and be the first winners at Centreville Bank Stadium. Advertisement San Antonio currently sits atop the Western Conference standings and already beat the defending champion Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. 'We've been here before,' Smith said of the season's start. 'We talked to them and this time last year we hadn't won a game. We're better off than we were last year, but you don't need to be in the locker room to see it.' Work crews were still putting together the grandstands that sit alongside the river during media availability last Friday. The press box was shining after one last cleaning on the outside glass and the scoreboard was going through mock introductions. There will still be quirks to work through on Saturday, which are expected with a new stadium. But the home opener should be celebrated. Advertisement 'Fundamentally, we're all the same team,' RIFC's Clay Holstad said. 'We still try to harp on the same principles of pressing [the tempo]. [Smith] still harps on the same stuff, the same stats, repressing and pressures. Intensity is what defines us.' RIFC and its various Cup matches Ultimately what matters for Rhode Island FC is its success in the USL. Wins in the U.S. Open Cup and Jägermeister Cup are gravy, but one match in the Open Cup does provide intrigue. Rhode Island welcomes the New England Revolution to Pawtucket on Wednesday, May 7, for its Round of 32 match. Smith had two playing stints with the Revs — from 2005-08 and again in 2010. It's Rhode Island's first chance to test itself against an MLS club. Advertisement 'It's the best thing that could happen for the club,' Smith said of playing the Revolution. 'Obviously having them be the second game in the stadium, you just couldn't ask for a better opportunity. They have fans and we have fans in proximity. I'm expecting another really good attended match. 'You want to play an MLS team, but I don't think it would have carried the same effect if it was Red Bull or New York City. It's really nice to be able to get them and we're all competitors. [Rhode Island] wants to test themselves against teams at the highest level.' RIFC players take to the field at Centreville Bank Stadium during a team practice on March 6. Rhode Island won't be favored in the match. But a win against the Revs could catapult RIFC into its summer USL slate. Advertisement 'We want to win the Jägermeister Cup, we want to win the Open Cup and we want to win the USL championship,' Smith said. 'That's why we get out of bed. We don't go into competitions thinking we are going to change or you don't want to win.' Expectations of game nights Rhode Island FC is not the Pawtucket Red Sox. That comparison between the two teams will be constant, but it shouldn't be. If there's anything that RIFC can learn from the PawSox, though, is the family feel and date-night atmosphere that the ball club created. Baseball lends itself to that environment more than soccer, but it can be replicated. If RIFC can interact with its fans in a unique way, that will help its growth. Advertisement Rhode Island FC is here, and the true beginning of the club starts on Saturday in Pawtucket. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What to expect from RIFC in Year 1 at Centreville Bank Stadium
